The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-04-17
DREADFUL TRAGEDY IN PHILADEL-
PHIA.
pEyEE PERSONS FIENDIsHLY MURDERED-FoUR cRiLpRI
AND THREE ADULTS.
From the Philadelphia Ledger. Apra Ill

From the Philadelphia Ledger. Apri! Ill
The most terrible tragedy ever committed in this city
disclosed yesterday afternoon. though believed to
have been perpetrated on Saturday last The victims
children and his niece, young woman about 70 years
old. Mr Dearipg occupied farm on Jones lane, some
Theodore Mitchell Of Phiadelphia Ho had lived there
for several years. and had been resident Of the neigh
borhood for twelve fifteen years Besides his own
family, he had hired man living with him. German,
whose name none of the residents thereabouts could
give also lad called Cornelius. II years old, who was
bound TO Mr. Deerug, and had been with him seven or
eight years.
The last seen Of Mr. Dearing alive on Saturday
Last when he came to the city on business, and called
upon Mr. Mitchell, his landlord After transacng his
business he seems to have made purchase Of some
meat WI ich found in his wagon and to have driven
to his house with his niece before referred who had
been spending few days at Burlington, with come
friends.
Since Saturday all has been quiet at the farm. The
neghbors thought strange that they did not either
the children tn adult members Of the family about
but undertook to ascertain the reason unl yes
terday About two o'clock Of them, friend OF MI
Dearing went to the house and fourd 1t fastened up
Prompted by curiosity, he raised OF tho eashes and
red No one was within, and, while the interior
not entirely in ORDER it did not exhibit such un-
usua disorder to create suspicion of foul play The
barn and stable then visited and in the former the
foot OF man was seen protruding from under pile Of
hsy. The hay was removed and most shocking sight
was presented. MOI only was the murdered body of
Mr. Dearng uncovered but that Of his niece Also Both
in full dress. he having his gloves and
both had their heads nearly severed their bodies.
The pockets Of his pantaoons had been turned inside
out and his body seemed to have been searched as II
for money-belt They had doubtless been carried
there and the hay piled them to preve1 immediate
discovery. The finding OF these bodies led to the belief
that the mother and the children had met similar fate
and search at instituted for them. In the
meantime however, news Of the murder had been cir
culated and Information had been conveyed to the Sec
ond District Polcestaon and from there by telegraph
to the Central station Chiefs Ruggles and Franklin at
ence repaired to the scene Of the tragedy with High
Constable Clark and several other detective officers
Coroner Taylor also at the farm. but before he
arrived the other bodies had been found IN corncrb
attached TO the barn. the mother and four children all
lying together and all Mr. Dearing and niece we're,
with their hroas cut and their bodies concealed under
pile Of hay The mother had in addition the top of
her head crushed in. Probably more shocking sight
was never than the mother end her murdered chill
dren, alter they had be- removed from the crib One
of the children babe. less than years old,
whose innocent face sufficient, would have
thought to have moved the brutal murderers heart
to pity The victims with their ages, are follows
Elizabeth Dolan tue niece, IS years; John Dearing
years; Thomas Dearing years. Anna Dearlrg years;
Emily Dearing, years.
The eldest child, William Dearing, spending
few days with his grandfather William duffy, in West
Philadelphia. Had lie been tome, there can not be
doubt bat that he woud have shared the fate of the
other members of the family.
The police made thorough search Of the premises,
ana found an axe which bloody, and which had evil
dently been used by the murderer. Tho wounds UP II
some OF the victims showed that the throas had been
cut with an axe. careful consideration Of all the
the wife and children murdered before the hus.
pano and niece got htme. Cn what part of the
premises the slaughter took place co1,d not DC deter
mined.