Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-13
The Deering Family Murder.

PHILADELPHIA, April 12-Full reports of the
Deering family murder show it to have been the
most horrible murder of the age. The bodies of
the mother and her four children were found in
one corner of the room near a small clubhouse,
which communicated together by a hole, through
which the remains Of the victims were brought to
view. 1t seems as though the bodies were thrown
into one heap pell-mell and then covered over
with dirt and hay. The victims were most hOrri-
bly, mangled about the head.
A new sharp, bloody axe was found in the rear
dwelling, which had been used for the bloody
work. All the victims seem to have been struck
on the left side of the forehead just above the eye
with the butt of the axe and then with the blade
of the murderous weapon. The demon finished
his horrible work by cutting the threats of all.
One of the little boys was so badly cut that his
head dropped off when his body was lifted up.
The other boy, when discovered, had his right arm
crooked and partly raised as though attempting
to ward off the blow that sent him so hurriedly to
eternity.
The mother was defending her baby from an
attack of the demon, when she was struck down.
Her babe received one dreadful blow on the up
per part of the breast. near the shoulder, almost
severing one Of its arms, and also another sharp
correct Of the theories expressed is. that ali this
dreadful work was done on Saturday morning
during the absence of Mr.. Deering. His body and
that of Miss Heating, his cousin, were found
alongside of the barn. not far distant from the spot
where the other bodies Of Mr.. Deering and Miss
Heating were covered over with hay. little
boy, aged four years, was also struck down.
The boy is missing and it is believed he was also
murdered, and his body thrown into a deep well
or one of the many bitches that abound in that
section. The well on the premises was partially
searched last night, but no bottom could bereach-
cd. The bitches in the vicinity of the house were
also examined without discovering the body of
the missing boy The search is being resumed
this morning, with renewed vigor. The Ledger
says the more this murder is examined into the
more astounding it appears. A mother and her
children butchered, it supposed singly. after
being enticed from home and without leaving any
marks of the hellish deed behind; and then. upon
the arrival Of the husband and nece, for them TO
have been dealt with in the same manner, and
still no spot of blood found in the house or yard,
is indeed surprising. The only rational theory
| we have heard is that upon the arrival of Mr.
Deering and his neice, he discovered that his
family were not in the house. and started after
them and after leaving the house, was murdered
the ncice then it is thought, followed her JUNGLE
| and was in turn killed in the same manner.
Unfortunately itappears that the name of the
| supposed murderer is not known by any of the
neighbors, nor can any description of him be
| given. 1t is only known, at present, that he was
a German laborer. The excitement in regard to
the murder in the lower section of the city, is in
| tense.