Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-08-04
REVELATION OF A MURDER CONCEALED
FOR NEARLY THREE YEARS.

The Laporte tlud Democrat contains n long
account OF the arrest Of man named Steitz. In
'hat county, for murder committed in August
OF 1861, nearly three years ago. The facts in
brief are these; Stetz was building sa,v
mill a few miles north Of Laporte, and had in
his employ man named Won Jesseda, both
being Germans. These men had frequent QUAR-
rels about money, which Won Jesseda alledoed
that Steit2 owed him for work done, and REUSED
10 pay Ihe two men, during the warm weather
were IN the habit of sleeping in a hav-mow
steitE being bachelor and his sister ieeping
house for him. re
on the morning of the l7lh of August the old
quarrel was renewed, aud the men got to sculf
ling in the NOW, and finally both fell through TO
the barn floor, Won Jessseda not heinz vet
dressed Won Jesseda ran to the bouse bis
hand bleeding, Steitz followed him. aud MS soon
as be came within reach struck him n severe
blow on the head with an iron bar which he Ind
picked up, knocking him down seuseless. BEING
near the cellar way when he fell, Stoitz kicked
him down into the cellar aud, featinr TINT his
work was not fully accomplished, hu followed
down, aud pounded the body with a board far
some time. Tue whole transaction at the house
was Witnessed by Mary Steiiz, who was aroused
IRON her sleep by the noise at the door. She
endeayored 10 dlssuade her brother from his
purpose, but he rudely thrust her back into
another part Of the room After he Ind heotcn
the body some time, he came out of the collar
leaving the body where it fell lie then left tbe
place, and did not return until the next day. As
soon as Mary Steltz could dress herself and get
ready, she leit the house, and went to a house
where jacob franzen was working to whom she
was engaged to be married. She told him ali
that had happened, and that she was afraid ia
remain there any longer unless he was there
They agreed to get married soon, possibly the
next day. The day after the occurrence tbev
went back to the house, aud remained there
Steitz also returned that day or the next: nnJ
the night after his return, Franzen and Mary
heard him working down in the cellar. and nj
one time heard dead, heavy noise like the
falling OF heavy body, which they supposed
70 be made by Stellz throwing the corpse into
the grave which he dug for It. During the time
he was occupied at the burial, he came I'M stnirs
four or five times, and drank whisky, in order 70
nerve himself for the work.
The Franzens agreed to say nothing about tbe
matter, on account OF the disgrace it would bring
upon the family. But later Mary wrote TO n
sister, a Mrs. Brown, in Germany, stating
what had occurred. After time the Browns
mmgrated to Indiana, aud the old pnrlnership
quarrel between them and Sieitz was renewed.
when Brown, becoming exasperated threatened
expose the murder. Stellz dared him to do
so. The Franzens, fearing what had occurred,
thoguht it was time to unyeil the whole matter
to the authorities, and upon their information
steitz was arrested. On digging for the body in
the cellar only small portion OF the body was
found. Ga being asked to make "a clean breast
of the matter, Steitz did SO, stating that he had
subsequently taken up rhe body aud burned il,
It seems, however, that the body was 80 much
decomposcd that he did not get all OF il. The
murderer was fully committed for trial.
This is certainly 0 very curious case, and in
ordinary times would create as much excite
ment in community as big battle does now,