Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-10-03

TRAGEDY IN ILLNoIs.-JRALousY AND
MURDER. Sunday afternoon, Clifford Brown
and Joseph March, both of this county, met
at singing school held at Prairie Chapel,
near Kansas, when the latter invited the
former to take walk with him. The inyi-
tation was accepted, and the two left the
crowd and went around into the rear of
corn field, about quarter of mile from
the meeting house. Soon after the discharge
of pistol was heard in that direction, and
March came running in a very excited man
ner towards the meeting house, mounted his
horse and dashed OIL The bystanders rush
ed in the direction where they heard the re-
port of the pistol, to see what had happened.
On arriving at the spot, they found the life
less body of Brown lying weltering in his
own blood.
A gentleman who happened to be riding
up in full view of the two, but who was
unperceiyed by them, states that at the time
of the tragic occurrence Brown was standing
with his knife out whiting on fence rail,
when March deliberately drew his pistol and
discharged it, the ball taking effect behind
the left ear, and producing instant DEATH
This statement was corroborated by the fact
that the knife was found lying open as it fell
from the hand ofthc dead man; fresh notch
was also observed in a rail
This scene at once accounted for March's
excited manner, and rapid flight. Pursuit
was Immediately given. The fugitive was
chased about Il half mile, when he was push.
ed so closley that he left his horse and took
to corn field. This was surrounded, and
then the interior explored. The fugitive
was soon found concealed in pond about
the centre of the field his head and shoulders
only protruding from the water. He told
his pursuers ifthey would not shoot he would
give himself up, and accordingly did SO,
and was placed under guard Justice Bond
held an inquest over the dead body of the
murdered man
Both parties had been soldiers Brown
was formerly member of the Seventy y-ninth
Illinois regiment, but was discharged and
returned home some time since. March had
but recently returned. 1t is said he had
been engaged to marry girl who resides in
the neighborhood Of the tragic occurrence,
who on the return of Brown plighted hei
affections to him.
March rode up to the object of his passion
Sunday afternoon, just as she was coming out
of the gate leading to her fathers residence,
aud asked her if he could accompany her tc
church. She told him that he could, but that
her company was engaged Tor the return. He
asked her "by whom, BrownFn and on re
ceiving an affirmative answer, and having
previously learned that the parties were en-
gagged, he replied that he "intendcd 10 kill
him before sundownw Stung to the quick
by the reply, with the green-eyed monster,
jealousy, ranking in his bosom, he dashed
off, only thinking of revenge, swift, sure and
terrible.
The young lady intended to communicate
the threat to her lover but unfortunately no
opportunity offered, and the eXasperated and
defeated aspirant to her hand, seized upon
the first opportunity to execute his deadly
threat in the summary manner above mar
rated
The examination of the prisoner before Il
Justices Court, was not concluded till Tues
day afternoon, when he was brought in un-
der guard of four men ON the six o'clock
train, and committed to Jail to await his
trial before the next term of the Circuit
Court