Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-02-29
The sIedLnn Case Aeain.

We promised eur readers, in closing our
account of the execution Of Streeter, that we
would add some farther particulars in regard
to this most extraordinary case. There
is no need, in doing SO, to recount the cir-
cumstances Of the fearful and horrible mur-
der. It's details have already imprinted
themselves so forcibly on the public mind
that they cannot be forgotten. The Mccoy
house is still standing, being comparatively
unibjured by the flames. Our reporter visi-
ted the house,-a brown wooden building on
West street, Of very modest size, story and
half higb,-but found in it nothing of par
ticular interest to our readers. The house is
unused, and remains as it did on the day of
the murder, save that the furniture has been
removed:
Streeter was first suspected on ac-
count Of t-e freedom with which he
spent money Immediately after the
murder, having been known to be
without funds previously. He soon left Me-
dina, but was followed up by S. B. Wood
ward, Prosecuting Attorney of the County,
and by james Burlison, detective officer,
and arrested at Kenosha, Wisconsin, Septem-
b" Al 10%o The trial commenced at the
November term Of the Court OF ov---~n
Pleas of Medina County, and continued some
days, Judge Burk presiding, S. B. Wood
ward, Prosecuting AttOrney,aPpesring for the
State, assisted by most of tlie Medina bar,
and H. G. Blake and John Mcsweeny con-
Quoting the defence. streeter was convicted
and sentenced. He was remaRded to Jail and
remained there until he made his escape on
the evening Of December L7th, 1858. The
detsiIs of his escape and recapture are IA
miliar to sIl our readers.
After his recapture he was placed under
strict surveillance, and every possible at
tempt at suicide wss clOsel : guarded against.
Soon he tried another tach-feigning insani-
ty, and ondeavOring to stsrve himself to
death. He persisted in the latter design
with remarkable pertinaSity, sbstaining from
food fOI six days. This superinduced other
diseases, which rendered him very weak at
the tine of his execution. At this time he
comHenced to tell most inconsistent and ex-
trsFagant stories in regard to the murder
Pe insisted, for instance, that an association
had been formed in Medina for the especial
purpose of committing crime, OF which he
asserted t1aat nearly all the prominent men
Of Medins, especially those who ha assisted
in prosecuting him, were members,--thatCOy
was = member of the association, but had re-
sol-Sed on disclosing its secrets; tbatat meet
ing of the association, from which Coy was
absent, but at which Streeter himself was prov
identially present, concealed in hay NOW,
the murder of Coy was resolved on, and S.
B. Woodward and J. B. Young, (the leading
counsel for tho State in the case,) we're ap-
pointed a committee to do the deed. This
absurd story was perssvsrsd in for some time,
and then abandoned for another equally alb
surd, which was in its turn abandoned for
another.
For many of these facts we are indebted to
the e1OeIIvnt life Of strUutvr, giving full par
tieulars of the previous life of the criminal,
the murder, the arrest, the trial,-with YER
batim report of the evidence,-the subse-
qusnt escape and recapture of the prisoner,
&C., which is published by Mr.. R. E. Red
way, of the Medina Gazette. We would sd-
wise all interested in the case to purchase it.
It can be obtained by sending 25 cents to Mr.
Redway, at Medina. Send early, as only
limited edition has been printed.
Our thanks are due to Mr.. RedWAy, to
Sheriff seOley, to Prosecuting Attorney Wood
ward, to Mayor Bradley, to Coroner Beck
with, and to many other gentlemen, for their
kindness in giving information, and afford
ing unusual facilities to our reporter,