The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-01-20

niece, this action on his part excited
but little comment. Indeed. it is charged
that the deceased has often gone to the
house with his two daughters, they to
visit their cousins, he to further his
hellish designs. After a while, the
suspicious of Mr.. Russell were aroused,
and he advised with his wife on the
matter She informed her husband that
her uncle had done nothing wrong, but
that if he did she would tell her hus-
band. One day last week, Williams.
who was foreman of the blacksmith
shop in which Russell works. ordered
the latter to Laporte on some business,
and during Russell's absence went to
his house and succeeded in ravishing her
person. 1t is asserted that he then
threatened to kill Ter should sh e ever
divulge the circumstance to living
soul. On the return of Mr.. Russell
from Laporte he noticed that his wife
was suffering from some secret trouble,
and his suspicious being aroused by
having been sent out of town, he ques-
toned his wife as to the cause of her
trouble. After short interval she
disclosed the perfdy of her uncle, as
already related.
Mr.. Russell was overwhelmed with
sorrow, and he thirsted for revenge.
But first of all he went to the shop and
putting the case as a supposed one to
his fellow workmen, asked them what
they would do under such circumstances.
They all replied that they would shoot
a man who would steal into their family
and do them that great wrong. Russell
then tried to borrow a revolver, but as
none of the men had one he finally
called at Pope's hardware store and
obtained the weapon. This was on
Saturday last. On Sunday he spent
the most of his time with his wife
brooding over the matter, she endeavor-
ing to comfort him, not thinking that
he was harboring murderous thoughts.
Early this morning, Russell went to
the shop, and, passing through the forge
department, entered the little office in
one corner ofthe building. There were
two persons in the room, and he turned
about and went back to his forge. In
a short time he again went to the office,
but still the stranger was there, and
Russell again returned to his work.
After waiting patiently he saw the man
depart. He then left his work, and for
the third time approached the unsuspect-
ing foreman. He saw Williams seated
at a desk, busily engaged in writing.
He deliberately raised the weapon and
fired.
The ball entered the right side of
the head, just above the ear, and the
man fell forward, dead.
When Russell saw his victim fall, he
went out to his forge and asked his
helper if he knew any constable. The
man replied that he did "Then come
with me to see him. said Russell, and
when the man, wonderingly, asked what
was wanted with constable, Russell
told him that he would soon be told.
They then went to Marshal Botwick,
and Russell gave himself up. Not
knowing whether to believe the story or
not, Mr. Botwick handed Russell over
to the safe keeping of a deputy, and,
hurrying to the shops, found the dead
body of Williams.
Like wild6re the news spread rapidly
through this city, and soon an excited
crowd had assembled in the neighbor-
hood of the blacksmith shop. With an
eager curiosity men and boys jostled
each other, and struggled for a better
position, so that they might look upon
the scene of the dreadful tragedy.
In the meantime the news had been
telegraphed to Goshen, and The coroner
was summoned to appear and perform
his duty That officer is now holding
the inquest in the passenger house at
this place.
The murdered man, Williams, was
an Englishman, jagged about so years
He had been in the employ of the
Michigan Railroad company for 16
years. He is widower, but leaves two
children, both daughters, aged respec-
lively II and 16 years.
Russell is about % years of age.
The present is his second wife, he hav-
ing been divorced from his first wife,
BY birth he is Canadian, and has
been in the employ of the railroad
company about two years. 1t is claimed
by some in this city that Mrs. Russell
is slightly insane, or that she is non
compus mentis, but, of course, it is only
a rumor and cannot be relied upon
The excitement is intense, the general