The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-03-06
A TragedE,in Open Court.
PARTICULARS OF THE PHILADELPHIA MURDER.

A Tragedz.in Open Court.
PARTICULARS OF THE PHILADELPHIA MURDER.
A man named George Ellar was arrested
on the 10th of last April, charged with the
commission Of gross outrage upon the
person of little girl named Louisa Leis,
the daughter Of Thomas Leis, living at No.
$50 Orchard street. Eilar lived at No.
$40, in the same thoroughfare, Leis is a
tailor. He is stout and square-built man,
about FIVE feet seven inches in height, his
eyes dark, as we'll as his hair and whiskers,
the latter worn only upon the chin and
upper lip. He is about 45 years Of age.
It is alleged that the crime was committed
in Leis's house, on an evening when his
family were up stairs. E!lar was brought
before a magistrate and held to answer.
Bail was entered by Mr.. George Rankin.
Ellar, during the war, served as soldier
with the three months men, and afterwards
for three years in company K, Colonel
EIlmaker's regiment. He is said by some
Of his comrades to have been good soldier,
while others give him very bad charac-
ter.
The families of Leis and Ellar were init
mate at the time, but about year ago their
friendly relations were disturbed. Leis be-
came indebted to Ellar in the sum 5000,
for the payment Of which the latter made
frequent demands, offering finally to settle
the Indebtedness for $3.50. Mrs. Leis to
pay the debt endeavored unsuccessfully to
dispose of some stock in q land association.
Her husband heard Of her operations and
became incensed ct Ellar.
Immediately after bail was entered for
him, Ellar absconded. About four weeks
ago Mr.. Rankin found that he was in Har.
risburg. Hewas arrested and brought back
to Moyamensing prison.
Every day, for week past, Ellaf has
been brought to court and placed in the
prisoners dock. Leis, with his wife and
daughter, were also in attendance daily. II
was understood that the case would be The
first one called this morning. At ten
o'clock the prison van was driven up, as
usual, to the Sixth-street entrance Of the
courthouse, and one or Two prisoners had
been taken into the courtroom and placed
in the dock, and Officer David Banks follow
ed, with Ellar in his charge.
The courtroom was crowded, as usual
Mrs. Leis and her daughter occupied seats
upon the south side of there Leis was
seated on the end of settee, near the
western entrance to the courtroom. As
Policeman Banks entered the door with his
prisoner, Leis arose from his seat, the CLEAN
Of a revolver was seen as the polished bar
rel was levelled at the prisoner, quick re
port followed, and, with single agonizine
"Oh y Ellar fell into the arms Of P olicemaT
Kreutzar, who wps upon his left.
A scene Of confusion followed. The
courtroom was packed with people at the
time, and Judge Ludlow was on the bench
Some of the females in the room tainted
A crowd gathered, and the doorkeepers
found their utmost powers required to keer
off the multitude. Leis' wife and chile
could NOT at first be made to believe thu
true character of the occurrance. Whsl
they learned that by bis hand the man Ella
had died, their grief was pitiasle. The wifi
of Ellar, also in court, presented a piteou
spectacle. When our reporter saw he
sitting in chair, begging to be taken tt
the coroner's Office, where the body of be-
husband was, the sight was such as no ont
would second time desire to see. This
request was refused. Her grief became
hystelical, and she declared her husband t.
be innocent, ard denounced Leis as {
murderer and assassin.
The coroner ordered her removal, promis
ing that in the afternoon the body of he
husband should be sent.home.
As soon as the crime was committed
Judge Ludlow secured the renewal of goot
order, and then listened to the testimony o
several officers and Others who had witness
ed the affair. The Judge saidto the prison
err:
"This is not the proper occasion fol
comments upon the occurrence of thiI
morning but | must say, upon whatever
the provocatior, it was one of the mos
audacious, bold-faced deeds on record.
order that yeu be taken to the county
prison, and there be kept ID custody tt
await trial at the next term of the court fo
the murder Of George Ellar."
| The body was placed in plain coffin b,
the coroner, and examination was made b.
DR.. shapleigh, the coroner's physician
But single shot was fired, and it went tt
the heart Il Philadelphia North American