The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-07-08
ATRocIoUs MURDER
An Unknown Man Killed
The Body Thrown in a CulVert'
The Deed Yelled i'm Mystery

was walking 10 Inc CITY Oh tuc rahioou
track Saturday morning about nine
o'clock, and before arriving at the tun-
mel he was joined by Mr.. John Meracfe,
who, with party of three or four per-
sons, had gone thither to fish in Wheel
ing creek. Meracle informed McLain
that one of his party had been out there
several days before and had placed a
fishing-red in an old culvert (Which is
few feet from the present railroad
track and one of the party had on this
Saturday morning been sent for the
rod, and on returning to the party re-
ported that he saw a pair of boots
sticking up and he thought he
discovered mans legs. Upon hear
ing this Meracle started to make
investigations, and met McLain as
stated above, when the two proceeded
together to the culvert. This culvert
being very dark, it was with difficulty
that anything could be discovered in
it from the railroad or south side, but
by going around to the north side, the
body of a man was easily distinguished.
The body was not molested, and Mr..
McLain said he would 60 to the city
and report the facts, which he did.
Justice Johnston instructed Officer Wal
lace to impannel a jury of twelve men,
and DR.. Baird was summoned to be
present. Upon arriving at the culvert,
the body was drawn out of the culvert,
when it was discerned that the head
was severed from the body. Search was
made for the head, but was not found
until some time had elapsed, lamp
having been taken into the culvert and
a thorough search made.
The head presented q horrible appear
ance, the flesh and skin being torn
from the face, the back of the head all
knocked in, the skull smashed, and the
brains all gone. The hair of the head
was nearly all gope. One arm was
badly cut just above the wrist, and q
bad cash was cut on the inside Of one
hand, as though knife had been grasp
ed and drawn through the hand. The
shirt of the deceased was very bloody;
the pantaloons were made of dark,
heavy cloth, and the vest was made OF
light, figured material. The pantaloons
pockets were turned inside ont, and in
one of the vest-peckets was found a
ticket of the steamer Express calling
for one meal. A black dress coat was
found lying near the body, both sleeves
being turned inside out. Deceased was
about five feet eight or ten inches il
hight.
The verdict of the jury was that the
deceased was murdered by persons un
known.
1t was thought that the head of the
deceased had become detached from the
body by decomposition, and that the
throat had been cut. Decomposition
had ensued to q considerable extent
and the stencil was almost unbearable
Two weeks ago yesterday man. who
was passing this oulvert, discovered an
old valise lying q short distance from
the track. 1t was badly torn, and
looked as though it had been cast away
as worthless. This man examined it,
and found therein pair of scissors,
and the following note, which was
written in German:
"oBLIGATIoN.
"The undersigned certifies herewith
that he is indebted to his brother Alois-
mis- Uhlrich, two hundred francs in
French gold, equal to fifty-two and one
half dollars in greenbacks, as cash loan
ed money received; with the promise to
nav the said sum back in terms as he
may feel able. Should it be impossible
for the undersigned to cover the said
named debt within one and one-hali
wears his brother shall then have the
right to take the uncovered balance
from his capital at his home to satisfy
! the said debt.
"KLEMENZ ULRICH.
"PARKERsBURG, the 18th May, 1867"
A three cent postage stamp was upon
this note or obligation, and thereon
was marked tx. U. May, '67." DR..
Baird thought the deceased had been
dead about two weeks, and the opinion
is entertained by many that this valise
belonged to the murdered man. There
is as yet no clue to the name of the de-
ceased. A dispatch was sent to Park
ersburg, on Saturday, by Prosecuting
Attorney Rogers inquiring if man
named Ulrich resided there, and he
received an affirmative answer, but no
further particulars were elected.
The opinion is also expressed that
the murdered man is John Andrews, q
basket maker, whose shop is on Mar
ket street, first door below Harry &
Stuart's, near the corner Of Union
street. Andrews is an Englishman,
and oDout thirty-five years of age.
The clothing of the murdered man an
swers the description of that worn by
Andrews. Two weeks ago last Satur-
day morning, Andrews locked mp his
shop and said he was going up to the
hospital in North Wheeling to see a
child of his brothers. He remained
there but short time, and since
that day he has not been seen in
the city. His shop is still
closed and not word has
been heard from him. He has no fami-
ly. Andrews mysterious disappearance
at about the time of this awful tragedy
furnishes food for the supposition that
he may be the man. He is reported to
have had considerable money in his pos
session.
Our officers are using every endeavor
\ o,,k 4la cod facts in THE w, 81