Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-07-13

ner's Inquest-s0nfessiO of the
Murderer-The Fiend Taken from
the Jail by ~ Mob and Hanged.
From the Peoria Review. July 6.l
A few days ago we gave a breif state
ment of a brutal murder near 0narga
in this State, in which father killed his
own son. The prominent actor in this
dreadful tragedy was named Martin
Mera, an Irishman by birth, about forty
four years of age, five feet eight inches
in hight, thick-set and muscular, with o
forbidding countenance, restless, i'm
patient eye, and deep, cultural voice
He owned place containing eighty
acres, about two and half miles from
0narga, in Iroquois county. His house
shows a considerable degree of refine
ment, and the number of books and
papers indicated that its owner was a
person of considerable intelligence. He
was known among his neighbors as hon
est, a prompt paymaster, and a hard
working man. But he had a dreadful
temper, and, when under its influence
would whip his horses numerically, cut
out the eyes of his hogs, and indulge in
other acts Of brutal and iiendish passion.
His family consisted of his wife, an in
telligent lady aged about forty, and six
children, the eldest fourteen years, and
the youngest about twenty days. The
eldest boy was named Martin, and he
was eleven years of age.
On the 10Th of June, Mera came to
Gilman and posted two written notices,
that his boy had run away from homo,
and offering q reward for his return. He
stated jocosely that he did not know why
the lad should leave, as he had always
treated him we'll, A few days after,
some of the neighbors began to suspect
that something was wrong, and, on the
Both, Messrs. McCourtie and G.. b.
Winters, of Onarga, and others, swore
out warrant and started for Meras
house. On their way they stopped at a
school which Mera's Oldest daughter
was attending, and questioned her. On
promising to protect her she said her
father had beaten her brother, and after
beating him, had put him on the stove,
and she had never seen him since, but
believed he was dead.
Armed with these facts the party ar
rested Mera. He was perfectly calm,
He was released, and eight men
watched the house in hopes that he
would visit the grave and give them q
clue of the body, but he was taken to
Onarga on warrant for murder, and a
large party went out to look for the body
of the murdered boy. The search was
continued all day without success, but
finally, late in the afternoon, Mr.. John
Barnes, of Gilman, found near the hedge,
south of the house, piece of clay sub
soil that had been cut with n spade. A
stick was forced into the ground about
three feet, and on being drawn out, it
smelled Of decayed matter. Theground
was removed and the body of the boy
Martin was found buried four feet eight
inches deep. He was enveloped in q
sheet neatly pinned about his body, and
he had on his shirt, pants, and cap, the
latter pulled over his. eyes. The body
was very much decomposed, but the feet
gave evidence of being burnt.
The news quickly spread, and Nc
Courtie went to town to see Mera. On
his approach Mera was saying to the
crowd, "If I've killed the boy, why don't
they find the body2 McCourtie re-
sponded, Martin, they have found the
body, and you must submit to these
handouts. 70
"Where did they find it, Nc. 2"
"Close by the hedge in the garden.
Have mercy on me Mel
"How can you ask for mercy, never
having shown it while your boy plead foi
itY No, sir, do not ask me for mercy.
Il did, Nc. did whip him to death,
said Mera.
The excitement in Onarga was intense
and q large crowd gathered, expressing
their determination to lynch the prls-
oner. During this time Mera seemed
perfectly cool, and even expressed his
regrets that he did not do the work more
thoroughly. He was finally put in wa
gon and removed TO Wetseka, the county
seat, where he was lodged in Jail This
was last Saturday. On Sunday the cor
oner impaneled a jury and held an i'm
quest. The facts of finding the body
were given as above.
The mother and sister of the boy testi-
fed as follows:
TALE OF HORROR.
Mary Mera, the wife and mother, APP
peared in court with child two weeks
old. Mrs. Mera, Notwithstanding a
bursting heart told the tale of horror
calmly.
/ live two and half miles from
0narga; Martin Mera is my husband
have resided there six years; Martin
treated his children kindly at times; he
has not whipped much lately; he whip
ped our boy Martin on Tuesday night,
two weeks ago last Tuesday; he whip
ped him very hard; / did not see him;
my babe was born that day; did not
hear blows, but heard the child's cries;
they were in the kitchen; | was in the
bedroom; the parlor is between the
two; l heard the child cry, Yes, sirl
yes, sirl no, sirl" The whipping con-
tinued some time; my husband would
ask him, VIII You work2" The child
did not scream; do not know what
time the child went to bed; Mera got
up between four and five; l was under
the influence of some powders, and did
not awaken until breakfast was over;
did not sleep during the night much;
the little girl came in and asked me if
wanted. breakfast; / told her | did not
want breakfast; did not hear any dis
turbance; about ten o clock the child
came INTO the bedroom, followed by his
father; his father was whipping him; he
whipped him very hard with a horse
whip, a black-snake about one and
half inches at the butt; did see him
strike him a great many times; all !
saw of the whipping was in my bed
room; he did not strike him with the butt
end of the whip; the lash was broken
off so as to leave the whip only about a
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