The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-05-21
H HORRIBLE OUTRAGE
A WHOLE FAMILY MADE THE
VICTIMS.
sICKENING DETAILS

y
Times of the I'd inst:
At a woodward situated about ten
miles from the city, at place known as
the "three forks" on Dog River, half a
mile up the South fork, and about seven
miles from Dog River Factory, lives Mr..
Fred. Peters, an old man over sixty five
years of age, whose family consists of a
wife and four children.
On Saturday last, at about Z o'clock in
the evening, negro man known as Sam.
| Ketchum, came to the place aud asked
many questions from the hands as to their
numbers, their quarters and whether
there were any dogs on the place.
The negroes to whom he spoke did not,
however, suspect anything wrong in the
fellow, and retired to their quarters as
early as usual.
After 8 o'clock, that same night, four
negroes appeared on the place, where, as
in old times and when perfect security
reigned in the land, the doors and win
dows we're un5arred.
The negroes at once rushed on the FAM
| lily and threateningly demanded from Mr.
Peters his money; he handed them all he
had about himself, three dollars and a
half, but the negroes insisted that he had
more concealed, and began to search for
lit, tearing and breaking up bed furniture,
presses, and finally, finding their attempts
unsuccessful, violently laid hands on
Mrs. Peters, and took from her person
thirteen hundred dollars,part in gold and
part in currency.
Then they proceeded to ransack the
whole house, robbing it Of all provisions,
meat, candles, -four, &c.
And nov commences the tragedy-one
before which humanity shudders with
horror.
A young girl, just twelve years and two
months old, is brutallY assaulted by the
largest of those brutes-the most odious
violence is attempted upon the innocent
child, and-we cannot relate it further
but the knife of the heartless monster is
called in to aid the satisfaction Of his fe-
rocious passions.
The unfortunate victim passes insensi-
Bile from the arms of one to those of two
of his brutal companions, whilst the last
of them commits like violences on the
unfortunate mother of the dying girl.
And the fatherl shot at three times
knocked into a corner of the room, a
loaded pistol presented at his breast, is
made the terrified witness of the disgrace
of his family.
The other children, one girl seven
years Of age, are the victims of like
brutal treatment.
That little girl is, with imprecations
dashed against the wall; the boys are
raised off the ground by the hair and
kicked until insensible, or hung by the
heels to make them tell where more mon
ey can be found. In fine, after four hours
of revelry and riot, amidst blood, plum
der and carnage, the monsters retire from
the scene of horror and make towards
the swamps!
The remainder of that horrible night
was passed without any assistance being
brought to the trembling inmates Of the
desolate home, and when daylight broke
in upon the fearful scene the hands, upon
approaching the premises, discovered the
bleeding and unconscious victims.
With laudable zeal they gave them
the first succor, and then went for assis-
tance to the Freedman's Hospital, situa-
ted some distance up the river.
On the facts being brought to the
knowledge Of the officers in charge of
that Institution, they fastened to repair
to the spot with all the means at their
disposal, to rescue the victims and trace
up the perpetrators Of the outrage.