Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-05-15
Confession Of Antoine Probst.
He. Had no AccOmplIce.-Fun Particulars.

The Philadelphia Erenmg Telegraph of
yesterday, has the following statement regards
ing the confession Of the feud, Probst, who
murdered the bearing family 1t says:
Antoine Probst has confessed Yesterday
afternoon, i'll the presence of his spiritual adj
wiser, the pastor Of ST. AlphOnsus Catholic
Church, Mr.. Perkins, the superintendent uf
the p ison, and the medical staff Oh duty at the
prison, Antoine Probst made a free, vol
nntary, and open confession such a coufes-
sion as stamps him to be the most blood thirs-
ty wretch known in the annals Of history
He killed. all tie members 6f' the Bearing fam
lily.
He was visited by his spiritual adviser, this
afternoon, who entered in to, conversation with
him, and in the presence oil the o9e named
officials, Probst was told that his best course
both in spiritual and moral point of view,
was to confess all he knew about the tragedy
| and to tell the truth. He was told that his
I obligations to the authorities, by whom he
had been treated SO kindly, and every consid-
Grafton in the future, demanded that he should
make clean breast of it.
! Prnbst, after the lapse of few minutes.
proceeded to make the following statement
by way ola
| CONFESSION
He stated that he had no accomplish, and
| conceived the horrible crime unaided and
alone. He states that he conceived the muir
| der on Friday, and that night slept with the
! boy whom he intended to make his victim,
namely, Cornelius Carey.
He knew that Carey was working neaT tie
hayrick, and he proceeded there with the large
axe, but his heart failed him three times be-
! fore he could induce himself to strike the un-
suspecting boy the fatal blow At last he
mustered sufficient courage and went at his
work, killing Carey just in the manner he
! frequently described.
The sight of the boy, Probst states, pro-
| duced in him devilish and blood-thirsty feel
/ ing, ara he determined at once to murder the
/ entire family.
He disposed of the body of the boy as de-
scribed before so often, and then deliberately
walked over TO the house. He entered, and
told Carrie" the little boy next in years to
! "Willie," who Has absent that he wanted
! him ~ help him do some work in the barn
/ The little fellow followed him, ami as soon as
! he got him inside the barn. door. he despatched
hftA with the small axe he had secured.
! he then went back to the house and told
/ Mrs. Deering that something was the matter
with one of the COWS, aud he wanted her to
come TO the barn. She went, and he fol-
lowed, and as soon as she entered inside, he
struck her in the head and killed her.
He states that he then went back to the
house and brought the children out, one At a
time, and taking them inside the barn. des-
patched them, one by one, with the same axe.
In each instance he cut their throats. and
placed the bodies in the corn crib himself.
Just III the position they were found. He
then covered them up, and proceeded to wipe
out all evidences Of his guilt.
! Hethen went back tothc house and awaited
the arrival of Mr. bearing. not exnectine,
Miss Dolan would accompany him.
AS soon as Mr.. bearing arrived in the
carriage he (Dearing) got out, and Probst
told him something was wrong with one of
the cows. and asked him to go over to the
barn with him. bearing went along with
HIM, and Miss Dolan went in the house, up
stairs, and took off her bonnet and furs.
Mr.. Bearing did not even take off his
g19yss' before going to the barn, but proceed
Cd there at once. followed By Probst, Who