Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1866-04-20

character. But the most cruel and heart
rending butchery that we have yet heard of
was perpetrated near Philadelphia, on Satur
day, the 18th day of April, 1866. A German
named Antoine Probst, who was hired by /
Mr.. bearing to work on his lot, deliberately
knocked in the head with an axe and ther
cut the throats of Mr.. and Mrs. bearing ant
four Of their children--ranging in age from
fourteen years down to fourteen months
Elizabeth Dolan, a relation of the family, ant
Cornelius Carey, hired boy. Pfobst was
arrested in Philadelphia, on the next Tuesday
after the murder, acknowledged the murder
Of the boy Carey, but stated that the other
murders were committed by an accomplish.
He said that he and his accomplice had served
in the Federal army, during the late war, as
cayalry-men. Probst's object was plumber,
but he did not get more than one hundred
and twenty dollars in greenbacks, watch,
some jewelry and clothing.
The community stands aghast--astonished
that such horrible crimes are committed in
their midst--and well they may, for no one
can feel safe in community where many of
the people have descended below the level of
the most savage beasts. What, then, must
have been the feelings OF the women and
children Of the South, when thousands of
such hell-hounds as Probst were cent into
their midst to burn, starye, destroy and
murder at their unbridled and lcentious will 2
All but then they were loyal Union men
and they were encouraged in their enormities,
and by no city more than Philadelphia. But
bloody inventions return to plague the in
ventors. Had the war been conducted on the
principles Of civilized warfare, the soldiers
would not have become familiar with such
horrible crimes but when their generals and
the Christian Church North bounded them on
they were very apt scholars in butchery, and
they will not forget their schooling
Ii is said that, on his examination, Probs
showed no feeling at the details Of his horribl,
crimes. He had been used TO even worse thar
that. The Coroner's jury found that Probs
had committed all the murders by himself
The following excellent article, on th,
demoralizing effects of war, is taken from tn,
Philadelphia Age:
| "But the unmitigated ruAianism and
brutality of crime always follow war. They
are the last droppings from that red cloud
which overshadows nations and throws its
baleful influence upon the people The thirty
| years war in Germany was the parent OF
after crimes, which, even at this distant time,
blanch the cheek in the reading. The great
| civil connections in England were followed
! by deeds of blood, and Mt the end of the
Napoleonic struggles in Europe, in 1915, all
the continental nations were visited by the
scourge of awless and brutal criminals.
g The epidemic spread from man to man,
from country TO country, until human life
was sacrificed as if 1t were valueless. Even in
semi-civilized nations, the same results are
perceptible after long wars, which show that
the underlying principle is the same, and that
violence begets violence at all times and under
all human governments.
"The close of our national struggle is marked
with the same bloody and CHASTITY signs. For
the last four years human life was held in
little estimation, and the lessons learned then
are being repeated now with accumulated
horrors and atrocities. But a short time ago
an old and peaceful lady in one of the rural
wards Of this city, was brutally murdered in
open day for few dollars, and yesterday She
people were again Mortified by the wholesale
butchery of family consisting of seven
persons.
Tho axe and knife were used and the
victims, embracing the matured man, the
blooming woman, and young and innocent
children, hurried into bloody and untimely
grave. Gain is supposed TO have been the
provoking cause of this worse than savage
outrage. The hope of securing few dollars
was sufficient at this time, when even the
all encasing air seems to breed murder and
violence and disregard of human life, to arm
the rufiian for this unheard determination OF
crimes. The epidemic of rufianism is spread
ing. From the foul compost of personal and
aggregated disregard of right, grim and
CHASTITY shapes are emerging to scourge the
land, and alright the people. What remedy
shall be applied to stay the ensanguined
march of murder in the community, is the
question which this last occurrence will put
in the mouths of honest, peaceful citizens.
Something must be done, and that right
speedily. The punishment of single indi-
vidnals must be followed by such teachings
from the press, the pulpit. and the halls OF
legislation, as will purify the moral at
mosphere, aud stay the pestilence of crime.
In this way only can the remedy be made
commensurate with the ends sought to be
| attaired.'
I