Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-09-20
ANOTHER HORRIBLE MURDER IN
--rf PAlLADELPHIA.
The Watts and Deering Tragedies Sur
Passed-The Victim a w oman.

II L
-~rf PHILADELPHIA.
The Watts and Deering Tragedies Sur
Passed-1he Victim a Woman.
The Philadelphia IaQEirer of this morning
contains the following account of the --latest
tragedy in that city OF atrocious murders:
Mr.. Milo Miller, by trade mifiwright, re-
sides at No. ga Button wood street The only
occupants OF the house. which 10 q comfortable
two story brick dwelling. Were Mr.. Miller,
and his wife and sister. Mrs. Miller, the MIR
dered woman, whose full name is Eliza NJ.
Miller, was sixty three years OF age, and has
resided with her husband and sister in the
house mentioned for thirty years rSst The
decease, as well as the rest Of the family. We're
noted as being very quiet, respectable and ex-
emplary people. The entire family were on
the best Of terms with every body in the neigh
borhood, and 1t is not known that the deceased
had an enemy in the world, her entire time be-
ing devoted 10 household affairs
Yesterday morning, between six and seven
O'Clock, Mr.. Miller, who works for Mr.. T.. X.
Hettie Owens, who is employed at hand box
making at Second and Pine. left home for the
purpose OF attending TO their daily labors. Mrs.
M,lsr s me me deceased, as usual prepared break.
her husband and sister-in- law proceeded with
her usual ayocations. Ii was customary for
Mrs Miller TO be alone the entire day, and
she seldom left the house, except for the pur-
pose OF visiting the neigh boring stores to make
necessary purchases and pays short visit TO
some OF her neighbors. About half. past three
named Sallie Wood, who resides next door 10
Mr.. Miller, being desirous OF seeing Mrs Mil
ler, proceeded up the alley way that separates
the two houses, and entered the dining room
bys means Of the door that leads into the ward
No sooner had she entered than sight met
her gaze that caused a thrill of horror TO run
through her. Nearly in the centre OF the floor
she discovered he PROSTATE form Of Mrs Miller
lying on her back. with both arms stretched
out, and her throat cut nearly from ear 10 ear
The floor was covered with blood. and beside
m NJ nd ha n, .
lay an opened razor and a small sized iron
poker. Miss Wood rushed from the house and
gave the alarm, when some OF the neighbors
came IN. The news soon spread through the
neighborhood, and Lieutenant White, Of the
Police District. was early on the ground, and.
with posse OF police, took possession Of the
premises.
Before a minute examination was made n
was generally taken for granted that Mrs Mil
Ter had committed suicide. Everything gave
coiorlng to this supposition, as nothing WAS
disturbed. Not q chair was out Of place, the
carpets were unrufIled, and everything about
the room was in perfect order.
The fact that n horrible murder had been
committed was soon made apparent how
ever, for on removing a cap worn by the de-
ceased, three terrible wounds were discovered
on her head, undoubtedly the result OF heavy
blows. One OF these wounds was on the tore
head. and the other two, which were OF a
frghtful character. Were on the back part of
the head. Her neck, below which the throat
was cut, showed marks Of discoloratiou, and
her breast likewise, indicating that her mur-
derer had first attempted TO strangle her, but
falling TO do so, cut her throat, and then in.
fiicled the blows on her head.
confusion was discovered on ner left
elbow, caused probably by striking it against
something during the struggle with her demo-
naic assassin. Singular 10 say, nothing was
disturbed in any part of the house, although
Mr.. Miller had sum of money in drawer
mp stairs. He is thoroughly saving man, ana
kept his earnings at his residence The razor
used by the murderer was taken from the
drawer OF a work table. which stood against
the north wall Of the room, within two feet of
where Mrs. Miller's body was found lying. A
nothing else appeared to have been taken from
IL with the exception of the razor, which the
murderer placed close by Mrs. MilIer's right
hand after using it.
A colored hood or working bonnet which be-
longed TO deceased was found on a table in the
roem, ana on II were spots OF blood. Blood
marks were discovered on the table and also
on the wall close by the table.
The deceased was dressed In dark colored
calico working dress, white stockings and old
pair OF gaiter shoes, the dress usually worn TO
work about the house in
That the murder was committed about 7x
O'Clock is inferred from the fact that two or
three families who reside in Williams court,
which is directly in the rear Of Mr.. Miller's
residence, and which runs into Pleasant street.
heard two or three screams about that hour
and Mrs. Fficke, who occupies the house at
the head OF the court and nearest TO the scene
OF the murder, hearing the screams OF q woman
sent her daughter to the roof of the house
which is covered with a platform, TO look in
the direction of Mr.. Miller's house and see
what was the matter. The child returned
however, and reported seeing nothing res
ident OF the court mentioned saw the deceased
in the yard apparently washing some dishes A
few minutes before the screams were heard
No one, however, saw any person emerge from
the house.
An examination showed that the front door
was fastened, as also were the front shutters
The back door and windows were open, and so
were both gates which lead from tbs yard, one
into Williams court, and the other into the
alley which runs into Button wood street north
of the house.
A neighbor named Loudenslager, who resides
on Buttonwood street, nearly opposite Mr Mil
ler's, saw the deceased sweeping the pavement
on which the bonnet or hood was found, was
also discovered cast iron stove damper. which
contained what were thought TO be marks OF
Flood, but whether the wounds on the head
were inflicted by this instrument or the poker
found near the body, Is not determined.
About five O'Clock yesterday afternoon. Cor
oner Taylor reached the premises, and vie wed
the body Of the deceased. DIR. ShapleiGh made
a post morten examination, but no regular in
quest was held. 1t Will probably take place
this morning.
About eight O'Clock last evening the body
was placed in a cofhn and carried into the
parlor. which adloins the dining room, where
the murder was committed, and where IL re-
mained during the night, under charge of
posse Of police and several of the neighbors.
Chief Detective Franklin, Chief Ruggles
and other officials reached the house early in
the evening. Chief Franklin at once COM
menced an Investigation. The house was
thoroughly searched, but up to a late hour last
whereabouts Of the m urderer. During the az
ternoon an evening the front of the house was
crowded with spectators, and much excite
ment prevailed in the neighborhood.