The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1864-10-21
MURDER MOST FOUL!
By J. W. WATSON.

The first time ever saw Mr.. Chris
tian briggs l was especially attracted by
the mild philanthropy that beamed from
his face, and said to myself "happy is
the man--or woman either that owns
Mr.. Christian briggs for frisnd.'
Mr.. Christian was grocer.
| became somewhat of an admirer oi
Mr.. Christian briggs, and, as a conse'
quence, oltentimes made it a business to
drop in on my upward or downward way
to business, and order the necessary tea,
butter, coffee, etc., for home consumption
During these visits Mr.. Christian was al.
ways eminensly conversational, and some,
times particularly entertaining.
"That's a fearful murder, sir!" said
Mr.. Christian briggs to me one morning
as l entered his establishment. "Horri-
Bile affair, sir! It's to be hoped the police
will secure the rufian."
"Whatis it?" was my interested query
for l had heard nothing of the affair
"Awful affair sr!' resumed Mr.
Christian briggs with smrk Of salts.
faction, which was perfectly natural and
allowable. considering that he was the
first ia reception Of the news that |, a
professional newspaper man, had failed to
hear. "Perfectly horrid, sir! Man MUIR
dered his wife and children. Very inter
estng family Knew them all, sir Live
Just ronnd the corner. Customers o
mine. Went round TO see the room, this
morning, sir. Horrible sight assure
ye."
Here was a sensation at once Mr.
Christian briggs had actually been to see
real murdered family, sight | had
never yet had the pleasure Of witnessing
Is there any wonder that | instantly
brought a cross examination to bear on
Mr.. D, and soon elected the fact
that his official influence with the po-
liceman on duty at the sceue of the trage.
dy--that gentleman being also custo-
mer of Mr.. D 's-had given him sdnit-
tance to the interesting sight, and that
the same influence could be exerted in
my favor, an offer Immediately accept
ed, and was soon gazing upon the scene
in company with Mr.. Christian briggs.
The room was dark, gloomy epart>
ment in tenant house, spot to which l
much doubt if the sun ever penetrated;
and there arrayed in all theiF ghastly hor-
ror, lay the four dead, just IS they had
come from the hands Of the people who
had prepared them for the grave. after
passing under the inspection of the Cor
oner | gszed about the place in terror
and disgust, and then into the face of my
guide. We were alone in the room. the
undertaken had retirrd as we entered,
and perhaps il was this sense of insola-
ton, with Only Mr.. D. and the dead,
that led nee to think that upon the face of
that respectable grocer there was an ex-
preston of greater significance than |
had yet beheld when he stood behind
the counter. I was uncomfortable and
wished to get away; but at that very
moment, as though divining my thought,
Mr.. D. seized my arm and held me
fast. while he whispered in my ear:
"Did you know that | once committed
murder?"
Heavens! did know it? How should
| know ii? How did | know but he
might be the slaughterer of those that
now Law before me, and had beguiled me
thither that he might add one more to the
list of his victims before the unerring
70 1T ofjustice should oyertake him. Ali
this rushed like lightning through my
brain; but | spoke nothing but fattering
"no!" in answer to his question.
"Theu III tell you all sbout it; but
lef US get out, Of this awful place. 1t
makes me sick
I was only too glad to escape from the
presence of the murdered, even thongh |
went forth with murderer.
al an not able just now" he said, as
we reached the door. "to tell you my
story, but if you'll come round tonight.
and take cup Of tea with Mrs. briggs
and me. I'll tell you all about it.
I went away, hardly intending to ac-
cept OF Mr. Christian briggs invitatian;
but all tnat Gay couiu noC snake the
matter out of my mind. La act, was
anxious to hear what murder could have
been committed by so mild a man as my |
grocer friend, and the result of my think
ing and guessing was that | was on hand
that evening at Mr.. Christian briggs
house-over the store-to hear the comics
sion Of murder.
I am afraid did not do justice to Mrs
DPS excellent tea, hot biscuit and broiled
ham, ;hroagh anxiety; nevertheless, our
meal was ended. and while Mrs. D. was
clearing away the tea things below. her
husband and myself were together above
stairs. -
sI needn't preliminise." said Mr..
briggs, dashing at once into the very
heart of the matter, "but | shall com
nence my story at the beginning. and
conceal nothing.
When / was aboat fourteen or fifteen,
was certainly a very bad boy. l was
;,,,c ot boro hut I could see no iov in