Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-05-15

had the axe concealed ready for use.
As soon as Mr. bearing 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 Dolau was the next and last victim.
She proceeded to the barn after coming
down stsirs, not finding any of the family in
the house; and Probst who was in waiting
treated her as he had done the rest of the
family.
After laying tut the bodies and covering
them up with hat, the murderer went into
the house and commenced searching for
VaiuaDles, but he states he got no money,
BUT expected to secure considerable amount
he states that Miss Dolau's pocket book
had very little in it, and he said noihiDy
whatever of the ITO $50 compouud Interest
notes, and the $50 bill of the same character
lie remained about the house for some
TIME, picked DIP the articles found in tho
black vaiise, and LETT shout dark.
Probst states that he would have confessed
to the murders before but he feared il he did
so he would re torn to pieces by the mob. il.
During the trial, and even at the time of
his capture: he states that he had disDosi,'
ton to mako a confession, but the wells Of the
crowd when he first saw them frirhte1rf
him into the belief that ifthey knew tie ex-
tent OF his crime all the police IN Philadel-
phIa could not save him from their clut cbes
Probst also states that he did not like to 90,
to the courtroom during the trial, as the wells
of the crowd he mads his appearance on the
street made terrible impression on him. and
he much preferred the solitude of his cell.
He Knows that he will never again be
brought face to face with any number of his
fellO|>creatures, until the day of his execu>
ton, and therefore will give to the artsosHi-
ties al! the information they desiFe in rela-
t!ou to the murder
1fthere was ever case OF dcmouiacal pos
session it was this. The reporter of the En-
qWirer referring to the incidents of the con
tessiOn, says:
Antoine Probst threw off the impassabilitY
CT feature, that had always characterized him
before the public, and showed more OF his in
ner thoughts and motives than one could haya
dared to hope.
He spoke in low tone, with German ac-
cent aud idiom, generally outstanding what
was said to him. Occasionally he fEused q
little while. Often his hands rlEy ca tntthan
lcally with the separate beads Or Che f6Sart-
And sometimes, ct'at':ng thought struck
his mind, his face would glow over with sup
pressed laughter, Yet this mifth would nne
at the most terrible details cf the crime, caus-
i"S me OIoou 10 uhSIe To the Tery tips OF one
fingers with Suppressed emotion.
On the very floor on which he sat had lain
the dead b DIV Of Christian Berger, &few
weeks bs!ore, dnd the foam covered face came
back to memory. Indeed it was far plcasant-
er that the fdce OF him who, living, could sit
there recalling the terrible sickening story of
his uncqualed crimes. and laugh. catching a
Joke IN the long ago spoken words to Miss
Dolan that led her to her DEATH that she
would find the fnthcr, the mother and the lit
tic ones in the barn. Yes they were there,
and he laughed to think that their garirg
wounds were covered with the hay. and that
his last victim would be terribly duped in
tr listing to sec them alive