Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-02-05
Another Murder ,


A murderous and fatal assault was made
upon an Irishman named Casey, on the pup
lie highway, near Clearield Borough on
Tuesday evening, January 2Sth-the clrcum-
stances connected Herewith being substan-
TALLY as follows:
Casey was one of the number OF lrish
railroad laborers who traudu!entiy voted at
Philipsburg, Centre county, on the Second
Tuesday of October, 1867. On Wednesday
morning, January 23d, 1868, Casey ana
three others were taken to Harrisburg. by
proper officers sent hither, to testify IN the
contested election case (Robisonvs. Shugart)
now in progress before a COMMITTEE OF the
State Senate. On the evening OF the muir
derous assault upon him, TUESDAY, Jan.
2Sth. Casey was returning to his home here,
when he was set upon by number OF un-
known persons, about one mile east OF this
place, and struck on the left side OF the head
with some heavy bludgeon, and lett lying,
helpless and unconscious, on the highway to
perish from the wounds inflicted upon him.
In this unconscious condition Casey was
found, with his face buried IN the snow, by
a farmer, who took up the injured man, plac-
ed him in sled, and brought him to hotel
in this borough A physician was at once
summoned, who dressed the wounds OF the
injured man, and used every effort to restore
him to consciousness and save his life; but
all was of no avail, and he died on Saturday
morning. February Ist-never having recov-
cred his reason to designate who were his
murderers.
Notwithstanding the facts relating to the
assault upon Casey, and the great probabil-
ity OF his dying from the injuries received,
were known to the officers Of the law, yet no
steps were taken to ferret out and secure the
perpetrators Of this horrible crime. until
after the death of the victim Now, why
this winking and conniving at crime? Why
this delay to discover and secure the assas-
sins of Casey? Was it because the perpe-
traitors of the deed were so, called Democrats
and for the purpose of allowing them to es-
cape because their vengeance fell upon one
who had just testified to the election frauds
This seems to be the only plausible hypoth-
esis, as there is no good reason why officers
of the law should otherwise exhibit so great
inattention to duty in so plain and fagrant
case. True; Casey died from the wounds
inflicted upon him by a number OF highway
assassins and that the guilt of his death is
Immediately chargeable to them for dealing
the fatal blows, yet, had these guilty ones
of inaction, would the officers have been en-
tirely blameless in the eyes of the law? Let
them answer this question satisfactorily to
themselves, if they can
But again: How far does culpability at
tach to the leaders of the Democratic party
who concocted and instigated the causes that
ultimately led to the murder Of Casey?
Where do the persons stand who planned
and advised the frauds upon the ballot-box
in Philipsburg? How far are those answer
able who forged and furnished the fraudu-
lent naturalization papers to bring about the
election of Mr. Shugart in the Centre county
Senatorial district? Are all these free from
any responsibility in the death of this too
confding and illiterate man? These are
highly important and serious questions. Let
those who were in any way instrumental in
bringing about the frauds at Philipsburg
answer them, if they can, to the satisfaction
of their own consciences.
That Casey was murdered, there is no de-
nying-for he is dead That somebody is
amenabie for the crime, is equally true! We
do not pretend to say who is guilty or not
guilty, for the reason that we do not know ;
but that the responsibility of the crime rests
with members of the so called Democratic
party, there is no doubt! Will any one dare
to deny this assertion? But we will leave a
discriminating and impartial and law abiding
public judge for themselves as to who is. re-
sponsible, or not responsible, for the sudden
and tragic death of Casey-a stranger in u
strange land, and the victim of political
conspiracy because he dared to tell the truth
when compelled to do so by the laws of his
adopted country
The FIRST GUN.-The special election for
Congressman in the Eighth Ohio district, was