Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-03-25
REMARKABLE CASE,
Man Kills his Father and Stepmother
and IL Arouiffrd.

and is Acquitted.
One of the most remarkable cases 10 be found
anywhere in the annals of the law was tried
last week in the Batter county court of COM
mon pl' a.. at Hamilton. Near Darrtown, an
Butler county, and about nine miles from Ham
iitCn, there resided an ISIS an old farmer, named
John Irwin, some seventy years OF age He
was well TO do IN the world, and had BEEN
twice married. By his first wife be had sew
eral children, most of whom had either mar
Tied or gone away from the homestead. One
son. howeyer-SylNester II wln-remained with
him. To this son and WIN. A. Harris, a
sOn-in-law, the olo man leased the farm, they
occupying one portion OF the house, ard he
the remainder. In the spring OF 1885. John Ir-
win married a widow about thirty five years
OF age. Up TO the period of tins second mar
rlage The evidence tended 10 show that the
old gentleman and his family lived together
peaceaby and tremendously. With the ad-
vent OF the second wife. however, trouble and
dI cord crept in. She appears TO have been a
Woman Of quick passions aud OF remarkably
determined character. Broils grew frequent IN
the household, though il appeared that the old
man never quarrelled with his children unless
she were present, and IA some way instlgated
or fosteTed the difficulty. In carrying on their
forming operations, sylvester IRWIN and Har-
ris had use of the barn for their stock. Ca the
morning Of August j. 1855, about six months az
ter the second marriage a violent alteration
occurred. in the course Of which Mrs. Irwin
made threats Of clearing the whole party out Of
the house, and also OF visiting personal yio-
]. nee upon Sylvester Irwin and one of Mr..
HaTrIs's children. About n O'Clock the old
short distance from the house when he pro-
ce, ded TO nail up the barn door. The hired
, man. IN the employ OF Sylvester and Harris,
coming from the field with the horses
found IL impossible 20 enter the barn,
and accordingly tied tue horses TO the fence
AT this Juncture. Mr.. Irwin,and has wife came
out OF the barn, while al the same time Sylves-
ter started from the house. The trio met IN a
naSTow lane. Some angry words passed be-
tween Mr.. IRWIN and Sylvester. when the lat
ter raised Ratchet and threw n al has son.
At he same instant the fired. the shot
taking effect in the arm. The old man tFfsn
stopped 10 pick up a stone, when Sylvester
fired second time, the shot taking effect behind
the left ear, and passing out at the foreh-ad
This was the bail which proved fatal. Mrs
lrw IN rushed mp 10 Sylvester with a bowie
knife IN her hand, and made a cut al him. He
caught her by the arm and she swung
around, hrpd a third shot which took effect ia
the back. He then wrested the knife from her
and gave ner a stab in the back. According
10 the medical testimony. either of these
wounds would have Deen fatal. lie came -
FamIlton the sane night and gave himself up
Two trials were had on Indictment for killing
his father On the first trial the Jury failed 20
agrpe; on the second trial they acc uitted. This
third trial, just concluded, was FOR murder in
the second degree Of has stepInother, and also
resulted in acquittal, the Jury being out about
five hours. Such IL, IN brief. the statement OF a
case which has, from the date of the transaction
up 10 the present time, excited more Interest IN
Hamilton and vicinity than any case in years.
The theory of the defense was that 10 was the
intention OF Mrs. Irwin 10 get rid of the heirs
that might stand between her and the property
Sylvester Irwin was most ably defen by
Ne. SIS. Robert Ciristy and Thomas Milliken,
both Of Hamilton. The acquittal is a. much
attributable 10 their professional skill a. TO any
against the accused - Cincinnati EHgHircr,
March H.