The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1867-04-04
4 HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.
A Nan Chops Off his Neighber's Head
With an Axe.
frrom tn. Detroit Post. March Pol

Another OF these startling and horrible
events which periodically agitate the
community, occurred yesterday In the
vicinity of the quiet village of SwanCreek,
on the Michigan Southern & Northern
Indiana Railroad 1t seems that boy
in the village has been and is credited
with the powers Of second sight, or a
species Of prophetic vision, which has
given him considerable notoriety. The
most ancient female has sought his aid,
aid the avarlcious have conferred with
him concerning matters Of monetary con-
sideration. 1t is said that he is in pos
session Of a stone, through the manipula-
ton OF which he can see wonderful things
and opens the concern OF the past, pres
ent and future with as much facility as
the most MYSTERIOUS minded could mag
Inc. His powers Of seership have been
doubted, but Notwithstanding this many
have tiouked to his father house 10 test
his visionary mode of revelation From
this blind confidence most horrible in
cident has occurred, resulting in the death
of a hard working and probably innocent
man. 1t seems that man named kci-
son lost an axe. and suspected a neighbor
named Watkins of stealing it. 1t being
sugar time, kclson needed the services
of the blade, and proceeded with rather
wrathful feelings to Watkins shanty for
the purpose of getting the implement
The peculation was indignantly denied,
but so well satisfied was kelson that
Watkins had the axe in his possession
that he openly accused him oft. 4 per
sonal encounter ensued, during which
Kelson received the worst of it. After
this he went to the boy alluded to, and
was told by him, after consultation with
the stone, that Watkins had stolen the
axe Satisfied that it was true, he re-
turned and renewed the quarrel What
passed between them is not known, but
that a most fearful encounter took place
cannot be doubted, as Watkins shanty is
besmeared with blood His doorway is
bespattered with blood and other hor-
rible evidences of desperate fight are
apparent from appearances.
How the circumstances of the affair
first became known are not aoparent,
neither can history Of the deadly fight
be read until the inquest takes place, but
ed. Keison was first discovered lying
his head Utterly cut to pieces, and Il ghost
~ StuHd oii LIS liSiit Dito ooe, f7UiiioiOHt Va
itself to have caused death.
A more horrible or sickening 81 eht than
the body Of the wounded man presented,
would be impossible to conceive His
skull was battered in, and a gaping
wound on the left side Of the head, Of the
measure of the axe, exhibited how fear
fuI blow had been given When our
reporter left the body was still at the
shanty where the terrible affair occurred,
awaiting the arrival of the Coroner of
the county. Watkins, after the occur
renee, left the place, and it is reported
gave himself up to the authorities at
Monroe, but how far this is true remains
yet to be told He is spoken Of as a
bold, vicious, bad man. whose i'll temper
has made him the terror of the neighbor-
hood. Many regard the massacre as the
evil results of the boys representations.
but at the same time are willing to be
rid Of the companionship Of So. danger
Gus neighbor