Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-10-26
Horrible Murder Near RaVenna
An old Cinzen is Assaulted i'm his Wag-
on-Hfs Head Crushed with a Club
BODY Plnndered and Left IN the
ROad--Arrest of Suspected Parties.

the murderers of a farmer and auctioneer a
named John Rh)dcnbaugh, whose body was
found living in the middle of the read about
three fourths of a mile from his residence,
early Tuesday evening, the oath inst Mr..
EweITs version of the affair appeared in the !
evening papers of this city, but tits in fault
in several particulars. A correspondent, '
who had taken pains to gain the true facts s
in the case, sends US a communication, from {
which we make up the fol owing account OF {
the terrible transaction.
The point where the l~ifeless aud plum
dered body was found, is near where the
Cleveland and Pittsburgh Railroad passes
between the two beautiful little lakes in
Franklin township, Portage county, and is
| about one-fourth of a mile north OF the
| crossing of the C. & P, and the A. 6. W.
Railways, near the residence of Joseph
Neighton, Esq, and about three miles, re-
spectively, from Ravenna and Kent
The wagon and the faithful horse OF Nh
| R~hodenbaugh were found standing by the
| corpse, but a few moments, apparently, after
| the murder had been committed. Near the
spot was found a large green white oak
club. with which the deed had evidently
been accomplished. 1t was freshly cut
with a lack knife, and the limbs had been
roughly trimmed of. 1t was about four
feet long, and two inches thick at the butt.
Smeared with blood at both ends, it was a
frightful looking bludgeon. The back head
of the deceased was completely crushed in
- IL. Io.o hainn hrOlnn IN the
shane of a horse shoe, and the skull broken
through under the scalp. The body was
found lying on its back, and a large pool OF
blood had formed under the head.
MI. Rhodenbaugh was returning from
Kent, where he had been on business.
While in that village he exhibited an one
hundred dollar Treasury note and other
moneys to two men named joel Berry and
Jacob Cooper. These parties were arrested
in Ravenna yesterday wednesday, morn
ing, on suspicion of having committed the
deed, and are now in the Ravenna jail.
They have not yet had their examination.
But the surface evidence against them is
strong. On being searched spots of blood
were found on their clothes. No money was
found on them. This Joel Berry is the
same man, by the way, who assaulted
General E.-B. Tyler while in the United
States service, and afterward deserted.
These men hired a horse and buggy of Mr..
Ewel in Kent. and, it is said, drove off on
the same road deceased took. The horse
was seen hitched where the large club was
cut. The tracks of the animal and of the
. buggy are peculiar, and have been carefully
examined, and it is said that the tracks of a
horse and buggy, driven up where the muir
der was committed, stopped, and then
> wheeled around, correspond precisely with
those of the outfit hired by these men in
4 Kent. The parties were arrested in this
q vehicle.
Mr.. R~hodenbaugh was a man about fifty
six years of age, of large frame, good health
robust habit and great activity. He was a
, farmer, and also a very successful licensed
d auctioneer. He was well known in Portage
h county, and leaves a large and very re-
ri spectacle family and a wide circle Of warm
If friends to mourn his sudden and terrible
death. The whole community was greatly
shocked by the fearful intelligence, and Tho
b deeply afflicted family have the sympathy
i'd of all the people of the vicinity.
If A Ooroner's jury was summoned yester
I'd day, but had not returned a verdict up t.
il the latest adyices.
CLEVELAND CHARITY HOSPITAL Medical
Mt CoLLEeE-ComENcENgNT OF THE SEcoNI
I'd ANNUAL SEssIoN-INTRoDUcToRY EXERCISES
u nj. o,,,,o1 sossion Of tho Cb arit,
st Hospital Medical College commenced yes
i terdav. At three o'clock in the Afternoon
lecture room No. 1 of the college was flleC
with Faculty and students, together with al
is audience of ladies and gentlemen interested
in the institution. Professor FirestOne mad
D. a few Introductory remarks, in welcome o
e. the students on behalf of the Faculty of tn
IL College. The college went into operation
T. twelve months ago, when its officers, patron
and friends were in doubt and fear as to tn,
result of the enterprise. Unlocked for sue
cess, however, had crowned the first session
Id and now at the opening of the second, tn
Il, prospects are indeed bright, and all prom
O. ises we'll. He concluded by announcin
We that NJ. S. Castle, Esq, would deliver tn
ly opening lecture OF the course
Mr.. Castle came forward and read a highl.
finished, ornate and rhetorical address
which was listened to a%ttentively and re
- ceived with marked appreciation. Afte
= - stating that the incorporation and legal Oh
ganization of this college had been perfecte
in May, 1864, under q law ofthe State Passe
April, 1852, he passed to review briefly tn
unparalleled success of the institution in II
first session. 1t opened in our city wher
of one Of the oldest medical colleges in OH
n had been established for twenty years. TIL
ed college had been founded on the plan of tn
.er Bellvue college in New York. The fir
le- class numbered seventy-fve members. Til
Tor college had proved itselfan able ally of a
public agencie for the dissemination of us'
full information.
He next passed in review the knOwledg
p which had been impaired to the student
- during the last term. The long result
time, in the science and art ofmedicine, ha
,os been theirs.
u 1t was announced that the session just il
h. augurated would be of seventeen wee col
tinuance, with six lectures per day, or thi
ty-six per week. Prizes will be offered
he rewards of industry and effort on the part
he the students.
rh, The exercises concluded with prayer b
rn- Rev. Mr.. Page.
all
THE BRowNELL STREET SCHooL.-It WI
expected that there would be a public opel
ing or dedication of the school house ju
= completed on Brownell street, at an earl
day in this month. The Board of Educ
ton appointed a committee, to arrant
appropriate exercises on the occasion, col
,ci- sisting of Messrs. Mellen, Smyth al
lys Findley. But as there was some misunde
ess standing between the City Council and Il
to contractors, which delayed the acceptance
mas the building, the dedication was of neces;