Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-05-17
PROBST MAKES A FULL CONFESSION.

Antona Probst confessed on the 5th inst,
in the presence of his spiritual adviser, the
superintendent of the prison, and the med
ical staff on duty at the prison. He made
free, voluntary and open confession
such a confession as stamps him to be the
most blood-thirsty wretch known in the an
nails of history. He KILLED ALL THE MEMBERS
OF THE DEARING FAMILY.
He was visited by his spiritual adviser
late in the afternoon, who entered into con
versation with him, and in the presence of
the above named officials Probst was told
that his best course, both in a spiritual and
moral point of view, was to confess all he
knew about the tragedy, and to tell the
Gods truth. He was told that his oblga-
tions to the authorities, by whom he had
been treated 80 kindly, and every consider
alton in the future, demanded that he should
make clean breast of it. After the lapse
Of few minutes, he proceeded to make the
following confession
He stated that he had no accomplice,
and conceived the horrible crime unaided
and alone. The theory of the murder as
produced on the trial, and the one so gener
ally accepted by the public, is entirely true
in it's main parts. He states that he con-
ceived the murder ON Friday, and that night
slept with the boy whom he intended to
make his first victim, namely, Cornelius
Carey He knew that Carey was working
near the hay-rick, and he proceeded there
with the large axe, but his heart failed him
three times before he could induce himself
to strike the unsuspecting boy the fatal
blow. At last he mustered sufficient cour-
age and went at his fendsh work, killing
Carey just in the manner he frequently de-
scribed The sight of the blood of the boy,
Probst states, produced in him devilish
and blood-thirsty feeling, and he deter
mined at once to murder the entire family
He disposed of the body of the boy as
described before so often, and then deliber-
ately walked over to the house. He enter
ed, and told "Charlie," the little boy next
in years to Willie" who was absent, that
he wanted him to help him do some work
in the barn. The little fellow followed him,
and as soon as he got him inside the barn
door, he dispatched him with the small axe
he had secured.
He then went back to the house, and
told Mrs Dearing that something was the
matter with one of the cows, and he wan
and he followed, and as, soon as she entered
inside, he struck her in the head and killed
her.
He then states that he went back to the
house and brought the children out, one at
a time, and taking them inside the barn, de.
spatched them, one by one, with the same
axe. In each instant he cut their throats,
and placed the bodies in the corn crib him.
self, JUSTIN the position they were found.
He then covered them up, and proceeded to
wipe out all evidences of his guilt
He then went back to the house and
awaited the arrival of Mr.. Dearing, not
expecting Miss Dolan would accompany
him.
AS soon as Mr.. Dearing arrived in the
carriage, he (Dearing) got ont, and Probst
told him something was wrong with one of
the cows and asked him to 60 over to the
barn with him, and Miss Dolan went into
the house, up stairs, and took off her bonnet
and furs.
Mr. Dearing did not even take off his
gloves before going to the barn, but pro-
ceeded there at once, followed by Probst,
who had the axe concealed ready for use.
AS soon as Mr.. Dearing entered the barn.
door, Probst states that he struck him in
the head, and felled him to the EARTH and
then chopped at his neck with the edge of
the axe
Miss Dolan was the next and last victim.
She proceeded to the barn after coming
down stairs, not finding any of the family
in the house, and Probst who was in wait
ing, treated her as he. had done the rest of
After laying out the bodies and cover
ing them up with hay the murderer went
into the house and commenced searching
for valuables, but he states he got no mon.
ey, but expected to secure considerable
amount
He states that Miss Dolan's pocket-book
had very little in it, and he said nothing
of the two $50 compound inter. |
est notes, and the $40 bill of the same char
acter.
He remained about the house for some
time, picked up the articles found in the
black valise, and lett about dark. His
further movements were pretty much as |