The Greene County Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 185?-1867, 1867-03-27

Commercial OF the 22nd inst, says,we
are called upon to record another fearful
tragedy, Of more horrible character
than that committed on Boyd's Hill
over q year ago. The scene OF the
tragedy was at the house Of Mr.. David
Sproul, located in Washington county,
three miles from Noblestown, this county,
and two miles and half from McDon>
aida Station, on the Pan Handle Rail-
road. which is about fourteen miles from
this city. Mr.. Sproal and his unmarried
sister. about fifty years of age. occupied
the house, which is half a mile from any
other habltation. On Monday night
last about eight o'clock, three men, one
of whom had his face blackened, knock
ed at the door of Mr. Sprouts house, and
inquired the way to the Hompfeld Rail-
road. They were answered by Mr..
Sproul, who went to the door for the
purpose Of pointing out to them the d.,
rection to the railroad. As soon as hc
reached the door he was seized by two
of the men. who dragged HIM into the
kitchen and there brutally murdered him.
The body was mangled IN the most hor-
rible manner. His'throat was cut from
ear to ear, his head cut across the fore.
head, the knife run through both cheeks,
opening his mouth nearly the full extent
of his jaws, and was stabbed below the
eye, back of,he ear, and on the top of
the head.
simultaneously with seizing Mr..
Sproui at the door, the man who had his
face blackened rushed in, and catching
ho.d of Miss Sproul, dragged her up to
the garret, where he threw her on the
bed, and tied her firmly with rope.
swearing at the same time if she made
any outcry he would murder her. The
men in the kitchen hallocd to the man
with the blackened face. whom they
called California John, to kill her, bnt
finding that she was securely fastened to
the bed; they did not harm her.
The villains then proceeded to ransack
the house, as their purpose seemed to be
to get money. They searched the gar
ret and found box secreted, which they
broke open. They took from the box
all the money in it--one hundred and
sixteen dollers, and two silver watches.
There was also IN the box notes to the
amount Of over twenty-five thousand
dollars. but being ofno use to them, they
lett them strewn upon the floor. The
wretches, having secured all the money
in the house, then fled, leaving Mis-.
Sproul tied to the bed,
She remained III that position until
two o'clock the next tuesday after
noon, when neighbor, who had come
to the house to get some milk, heard
her screams, and released her. Upon
being loosened. she was so PROSTATE
that she could scarcely stand,
Justice of tho Peace johnson, of
Washington county, on Wednesday
afternoon, emranelled jury and pro-
ceeded to hold an inquest on the body
of Mr.. Sproul. After hearing tho evi.
dencc of several witnesses, the inquest
was adjourned until yesterday afternoon.
No clue whatever to the murderers
has been obtained. A reward of one
thousand dollars fer their apprehension
has been offered by the relatives Of the
deceased. Miss Sproul thinks that she
can recognize the murderers. She says
that the man with the blsckened face
could not have been stranger in that
locality, as he seemed to know all about
the house. About two weeks since.
Mr.. Sproul had two thousand dollars in
money at home, which he wished to
loan at interest, and the murderers,
prob,bly learning OF this, went to his
house on Monday night with the expec.
lation Of getting that sum. The deceas'
ed, however, had loaned the money to
his brother few days since.
Mr. Sproul, the deceased was an un-
married man, of about fitty.five or sixty
years of age The body was buried
yesterday.
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