Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-03-06
THE DOUBLE MURDER NEAR
STOW CORNERS.
Corrected and Fun Details ef the
Tragedy.

stow Corners, Summit county. We learn
from Conversation with gentleman fresh
from that locality, several particulars which
modify somewhat the first statement, al
though that was in its essential features
correct.
The citizens of Stow township, who are
liable to draft, have been making a great
effort to fill the quota of the sub-district,
and to this end have been for some time
busy in the collection of fund with which
to procure recruits. All the people, wheth-
sr liable or not, were sppesled to to swell
this bounty fund, and contributions were
freely subscribed by citizens, Irrespective
ofparty politics.
Among those who had promised to give
was Mr.. VIM, Graham, wealthy and in
huential farmer of the township, who, in
answer to an appeal made by brother
Democrat, had pledged himself to give
fifty dollars at least, and perhaps more.
The young men of the township, fearing
that the day Of grace was nearly past, be-
came anxious to bring the matter to a con-
clusioD, and accordingly about a score of
them set apart their time, mounted and
went around gathering the amounts sub
scribed. They were on general excursion
Of this kind, last Thursday, the fatal day,
when, on passing near Mr.. Graham's fern,
they decided to send, and Immediately
sent, one of their number, a man toward
whom this prejudicsd and violent Graham
had always had kindly feelings, to obtain
the money he had promised to give, while
the rest of the party stopped to take coun-
sci, and resolved finally to separate and 20
different routes on their common business.
It is not true, as was stated, that there was
any concert of action in going to Graham's
premises to intimidate him, or to exact the
amount he had pledged. And this version
Of the case makes all the purer the insane
maligni.y of the man who was SO soon to
take the lives of two of that party. 4
The young man had not got far on his
way when he was halted by Graham who
stood in field near the road. He was
ordered to retreat, when he went isisurely
back until he fell in with two of his com
rades who had just headed for two other
farms on the same road. All three were
ordered back by Graham who kept his rife
pointed at them and at length fred, but
the shot did not take effect.
The young men went back and reioinsd
the company who were not yet separated,
and were followed by Graham. A friend of
the latter, knowing his violent temper, hap
pened along, and advancing toward Gra-
ham urged him not to go further, for he
would surely commit some rash act. He
was squarely told to 60 about his business
and not come nearer on peril of getting shot
himself Graham cooked his gun and took
aim at him, when he beat prudent re-
treat.
By this time Graham was within a few
rods of the cavalcsde, all of whom were
armless, when they became alarmed for
their safety. Not daring to ride away lest
he should pick some one of them off, they |
alighted, and each stood behind his horse.
Graham changed his position number of |
times to get one of the party, Sears by name,
in the range of his rifle, but failing of an |
opportunity he improved the chance to |
shoot Hugh Fitzpatrick, whose horse expos
ed him BY suddenly jumping one side, when |
ball was quickly lodged in the mans leg,
Fitzpatrick managed to reach the fence
where he fell, when the friend of Graham,
above mentioned, and Homer Filley, ran to |
him. As they were supporting the wound
ed man, Graham fred again, putting q ball |
through the hand of Filley, who then ran |
off with the rest of the defenceless party,
but before he could get out of range the
blood-thirsty wretch had reloaded, and he |
instantly brought down the fugitive with O |
fatal shOtthrOugh the body. This occurred
about four O'Clock in the afternoon.
Some of the company met DR.. Upson.
and sent him to the spot. On his approach |
he, too, was ordered back, but after a long
parley he was allowed to examine the bod
les. He found that they were both Iifelsss.
Fitzpatrick having been shot again after
the killing of Filley. The DR.. asked leave
to remove the bodies, as it was now grow
ing dark. But the grim murderer refused.
and kept pacing his bout like sentinel be-
tween the cOrpses. He at length gave per-
mission to two of his personal enemies,
Sears, before spoken of, being one, to come
and take away the bodies. The DR.. with
irew with that gracious permit, but the sa-
yacious young men OWNED the purpose of
and wisely kept aloof.
By this time the township had become
lPprised of the dreadful act, and was
aroused, and parties started for the scene.
The constable of the township, not caring
% cultivate an intimate acquaintance with
Mr.. Graham while he had rife in hand
leelined acting the heroic part, which was
.lso the part Of duty, and kept himself in
he background-believing, no doubt, that
distance lends enchantment, &c. But con-
table UPson, of Cuyahoga Falls, who
HANGED to be in the township, voIun-
eered to attempt the arrest of Graham.
ie found number of armed reso-
ltes to accompany him. But
n second thought, and st the
rgent request of the people, who knew
temper and stubbornness, he ad-
snced toward the murderer, alone and
TthOut weapons, having left his squad of '
rmed men as reserves in the resr. When
few rods distant from the bodies Graham !
rdered him to halt. The constable told
i'm he was not armed, and was come with
warrant for his arrest. Graham positive
2 refused to be arrested, insisting that he b
Mould be treated like prisoner of war,
nd that he would give himself up freely :
} the trustees of the township if they u
ould come to him with flag of truce and s.
ledge him protection from the mob. His n
rms were declared whimsical and not to
} accepted. Graham then asked who that v
arty in reserve were, and on learning that e.
ley were armed, he fred at the constable, T.