, 1870-07-04
THE CALHOUN MURDER CASE
Tr1nl and Conviction OF tho MUIR
dEEGrxs

0EKGfHe
From &c Shelby County tlE, Onion, June 50.
The greatest and mont interesting criminal
case that ever came to trial before the Shelby
County Circuit Court, commenced on Wednes-
day OF Last week, and WAS concluded on Mon
dav evening last.
During tile winter and spring OF 1868, an
old man, P1assabo Calhoun by name, was em-
ployed by the Illinois CeutrM Railroad Com
pany 70 guard their lands situated in Oconeo
township, this county, against tho depreda-
tons Of timber thieves. Dy keeping q strict
and careful watch over Tho property entrusted
to Ais care by his employers, Calhoun gained
the iil-will Of some OF his neighbors, who, at
different times, threatened him with summary
vengeance in case be did not wink at theiI
tlieving operations
On Monday, April IS. 1868, just at day
break, Calhoun WAS called from his bed md
infG med that his shop Was On fire, and, on
going hu11iedly and unexpectedly to rescus
his little property from the deTouring elo-
Eius and most foully shot down and murdered
in Ills own dooryafd. Aa matter Of course
the excitement in the neighborhood in
which the bloody decd had been COM
rnitted was intense, and the people
made common cause in bringing the murder
ofs to Justice. Suhpicion Immediately pointed
ceIned in it, and By Limits deep and dark drop
ped BY eome Of the suspected parties, tie
grand jury found true bill OF Indictment
against Philip Grass, Wm. Grass, Joseph
Myers. Hubbard Holder, Samuel Moore, and
others, and officers we're Immediately started
named were arrested and committed
to the county jail. While awaiting tho arrest
Of other indicted parties, some twoyeats e1aps-
ed. All this time evidence was accumulating,
snd the citizens and the prosecuting attorney,
Sir. Thompson, hare been interchangeable II
FS1r&u 4E%z AHkf
denca that would in the least assist in fasten-
possibility Of doubt. Not until tho present
extra session Of court did the prosecution feel
that tue evidence within their reach justified
them in bringing the prisoners to trial.
into court to undergo trial for their lives,
Hon. s. ". Moulton being associated with
Mr.. Thompson III the prosecution, and Hon.
A. Thornton, Of this place, and John r. Eden,
OF Decatur, appearing for tie defence.
plea Of "not guilty" was entered as to Philip
Grast; William Grass. Joseph Myers and Hub
bard Holder, and no4e proseqal as to Samuel
Moore, the latter turning States evidence"
against his accomplices, After day and
half consumed IN impanneliug jury the case
was opened by the counsel, aftor which, Sam
uel Moore, one Of the persons named in the
Indictment, was SWORN.
Moore testified in substance as follows
Knew the defendants (named them); went
down to Jim Buncl's with 10. Myers. VIM,
Grass, Hub. Holder, Wesley Bland, Warren
Blind, aud think Jim Lockwood came after
ward-was about o'clock in the evening; we
went there after dark. Hub. holder, Vim.
Grass, Wesley Bland and Warren Bland went
alongs came back to Dunch's that night the
house was ret on fire at & or o'clock Jo.
Myers set it on fro; was close there
myself: il commenced raining. and the
ieft, M and and Holder. dd Myers, Grass Gsass, Ou.ui and
myself went to Bunch's, rest went home.
House got afire between daylight and sun-up;
saw Calhoun come ont; Jo. Myers, Hub.
Holder, Wm. Grass, and myself, we're there,
and Jim Bunch was about 1lfty yards Of.
burning; Holder and Myers shot at him;
Holder had earbino; think he ahot three
times; I was about 100 yards from
Calhoun, heard lin gronn after he
was down; MYERS had nile; shot once; af-
ter he vas slot wo (Holacr, Myers, Grass,
to Myers and got breakfast. From there We
went to Dlackwell's q mill, saw Joshua Hudaon
there; Holder and William Grass Were with
me; GraEs took Joshua Hudson to one sido
and apoke to him; We then went up to John
Woolard's then started toward 10 Myers,
slroud for Calhoun; we then went over
NJ at AIyers' by Holder. Grass. aud Myera.
said they wanted to eel Calhoun ont ~ thn
road ar ba hsd algavs bnnn hoti,er;nr arn,nd,
Tlink there we're soTeu shots fred three bv
iJnf.1cr thres hr Grass and ma hr Mrara
1;raes shot to drown noIiler's yoicc, T;hero
wnn bip yshitnoak tre. near tbe nartics WHEN
thev ehot stood hehind tbat tree and
ssra @ Stood hare md HnIder thera @ eG W;tnaaa aaa
s1;nws their reIative @ nns;t;onsi 1av" heen
living below Wiliian,sburc sinco tho ki1linr
SURRENDERED to Dr.. FHiz and =. A. Sie,
CracIcn.
Alta few minutes altar s IN Mond.v eron;nc
atter Judge GalIaeher's instructions tn tho nv
hid been read. the caso VAS Given to tho inry
and court adjourned. O. ~' -'O ''
After being ont about fou, hon rs and a half
(about 10 .. n. the iury sieniGed their rnndi-
ntss TO rcrdor the1r verdict. and tha r,risnners
were brought haudcufred into court to learn
their fato as decided by twelve good men aud
true.