The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1866-04-19
[ From, The PaHadd Inquirer, AprH II. ]
HORRIBLE MURDER AT PHILADEL-
PHIA.

DioJO7ica5 Bmchcry-A Family Of Sen
On Persons htense Excite
mcnt jathe Tircnty- .Sirth Fard-Fice
Days EIopse Before the Tragedy IS
Dtscocered-TcrrjJ7 MutHation ofthe
BoJics-A5ytd aad .Stchcajag Ap-
pcarance q the Victims Thrilling
Acoouat OF fhc Discovery Of the Deed.
The most horrible murder, or series of
murders that has ever occurred in this
vicinity since Philadelphia was founded,
or, it would not be going too far to as,
sert, that ever took place in the United
States, was brought to light yesterday af-
ternoon. An entire family excepting
an absent SOM, consisting of father, moth
cr and four children, have been literally
buthered, also one, and possibly another
individual. Seven persons in all, GER
tainl y, were tie victims, and there is good
reason to suppose that further investiga-
tions will develop the fact that eight in.
diyldua's were sent from time to eternity
| by the hand of the murderer at, or very
nearly at the same time. No parallel
case can be found on record The bod
les were most horribly mutilated, and the
scene witnessed by our reporter, who
visited the spot as soon as the discovery
was made known, was absolutely sickeu-
ing.
Mr., Christopher Deeriug resided with
his father in Jones lane, about one half
mile from the old Point House road, and
within FIVE hundred yards of the site of
the well-remembered Point House, about
three miles below the Navy Yard, on
what is termed the Meek" Mr.. Deer
| ing's family consisted of himself, wife and
Five children, relation named Elizabeth
Dolap, and boy who has resided with the
family for several years, and known to
the neighborhood by the name Of Corne-
l;us. In addition to the above, German
was engaged Icy Mr. Deering to do work
around the premises, and who, with the
boy Cornelius, is missing at the present
time.
Yesterday afternoon the fearful discoy-
cry was made that the entire family, with
the exception Of the eldest child, boy
named William, ten years Of age who hap
pened to be Payug.a visit TO relative,
named Duffy, 10 West Philadelphia (and
possibly the boy COrneIius), were Brutal
y murdered, and their bodies thrown to,
gether IN the barn. short distance from
The dwelling house. In each instance
the heads were knocked in and the Threats
cut, in some cases to such an extent that
they were nearly decapitatcd. There
they lay, maDgied mass Of humanity,
piled one on top Of the other The father
of the family and Mrs Dclan were found
lying side BY side in the barn, terribly
disigured, and covered with hay, and in
an adjoining sort Of corn crib was found
the body Of Mrs. Decring, surrounded by
four Of her children, all so terribly mutt
lated that Identification was almost i'm
possible; the ages of the children rang
ing from eight years to an innocent ofI
fourteen months. The names Of the per
sons murdered are as follows =
Mr.. Christopher Deerin-, aged 81 years.
Mrs Julia Decring, aged Il years.
John Deeri0g, aged s years.
Thomas Doering, aged years.
Annie Decring, aged I years,
Emma Dccri0g, aged 4 months.
Mrs. Elizabeth Dolan, aged % years.
The last seen Of any members of the
family was last Friday morning, when
some Of the neighbors observcd two Of the
children going over the meadow near the |
house, apparently chasing up some ducks. |
Mr. Deering was, however, seen as late |
as last Saturday morning, when he called |
upon Mr. Mitchell, No 1929 Arch street. |
who owns the estate on which Mr. Deer
ing resides.
There is every reason to suppose that
the murders were committed last Satur-
day afternoon, for an examination of the
premises reveals the fact that the wagon
used by Mr.. Decring during his visit to
the city on Saturday morning is safely
slowed away in the carriage house. and |
a piece Of beef he had doubtless purchased |
foT his Sunday dinner, was discovered " |
ing in the bottom of the wagon, yester |
day afternoon, and which was partly De, |
composed.
It seems strange that the fact that the
family were missing was not discovered |
at an earlier date, but it is accounted for
in this wise Mr.. Deering was a man ofI
rather retired, quiet habits, and did not
mix much with his neighbors. 1t was
noticed that the windows of the dwelling
we're open, aud day by day passed with.
out any suspicion entering into the minds
Of the Deighbors that anything was wrong.
Yesterday afternoon neighbor hap
pened to visit The premises for the pur.
pose Of feeding colt that he had charge
Of. lie entered the barn with that OBJ
ject in view, when his attention was at
tracted TO something unusual at the south
west angle Of the barn. He proceeded
to make an inveitigation, when he dis,
covered the feet Of Dir Deering project
ing through the hay. lie beat hasty
retreat and informed an acquaintance
named John Cool Of the circumstance
further investigation was made. when
he bodies Of 1Ir. Deering and Mrs. Do
AN were found lyinU side hv e;do ,r;+b