The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-27
LUST, MURDER AND sPELF.
Revolving Crime in ST. Clair County
lLlinOiS.
a Bride Of Tue Months Brutally
3utchered.
Particulars Of the Tragedy-An Unknown
VagAbond the Murderer-An Enrsged
POpulsoe sOOrning the Country, SO.

FopuiSce Soorning the Country, SO.
revolving crime, the bare recital of the
facts of which is enough to make the blood
run cold, was perpetrated in st. Clair,
county, Ill, on Saturday evening, and has
increased the people of the locality to
degree asely unknown.
TIE TRAGEDY.
The tragedy was committed at the farm
house of Christian Peter, six miles south.
west of Belleville, and the victim was Mrs
Mary Pettr, wife of Mr.. Peter, and dRugh- |
ter of Mr.. John Keek, an sged and highly |
respected citizen Of the county.
Between three and four o'clock on Sat. |
urdAy afternoon Mr. Peter left his house to |
60 to that Of his fstherin-lsw for q wagon
load of corn, and il was during his absence
that the terrible affair occurred. Subse>
quent revelations show that not long after
his departure q stranger called at the house,
and seeing no one but defenceless woman
present, proffered insults which rather thar
submit to the lady chose the less bitter alter
native Of death. The heartless intruder
commenced violent assa l. On Mrs. Peter,
which she resisted with all her strength
How desperate the struggle was, Was suth-
GtcnhiJ ONlucub DY Lue "OuuuS HcceiNtu
and the slaughter house appearance of the
room. Though, at the end of struggle. the
victim of the attempted outrage lay lifeless
the villain was discounted in his base pur
pose.
Before retiring from the scene Of his
atrocity, he soaRht 20 add a browning feA
ture BY pillagiug the house of articles which
he could carry away without incommoding
himself.
DIsCo1ERY OF THE MURDER.
Mr. Peter returned shortly before sun
down, and was taken by surprise by missing
his customary greeting on approaching his
home. A loud crack of the whip failed to
call his wife TO the door, and leaving his
wagon he raised the latch, rather perplexed
about the silence. His wife lay as she Was
left-With her throat cut in three places, the
iugulAr vein severed, her face hacked and
bruised, hair torn in handfuls from her head,
and her clothing rent. Blood stained the
wall and displaced furniture and triokled
into pools.
MIR. Peter, shocked scarcely as m8n had
ever been before, raised the alarm and as
Toundede his nsighbors by the intelligence
OF the crime.
PURSUIT.
Parties of men were organized TO endeav-
or to capture the murderer, and the country
was secured in all directions, until darkness.
stopped further search. The good work wAs
continued yesterday.
THE MURDERER.
The following is description of the mSn
believed 70 have committed the murder
Height 8 feet 6 inches or feet inches,
thin face, sharp nose, heavy set man, broad
shoulders, hair cut short, dark complexion
RnG dark eyes, large nostrils, beard of about
three weeks growth age about 30 years
His dress consisted of Q slouched black VOL
hat, low crown, with brim about four inches
wide, with block, faded ribbon on hair wore
reddish colored jeans jacket, with pAptA-
looms of same material, the latter cOnslderA-
bly, worse from wear; brogan shoes with
double sole, wi b the right shoe torn at the
toe. He stole from the house a dark brown
beaver cloth frock coat, pair of black and
steel mixed pAntAloons, and vest of the
same material. This suit belonged to Mr.
Peter and the murderer may have attirec
himself il it for the purpose of avoiding
detection.
The man suspected was in the town OF
Centerville at about o'clock on Saturday
afternoon, and while there stepped into q
store and asked for n few matches. The
proprietor showed him where to find them.
and noticed that he placed them in his
pocket, and Immediately walked out of the
store. At later hour, FIVE and six o'clock,
the same man was again observed loiterint
about the farm where the murder was com
mitted. A match was found lying on the
floor, and it is surmised that it fel, from the
mans pocket while he was in the act OF
numbering Mrs. Peter. The match cores
ponded exactly with those given the man
at CenterviIle, and was different in shape
from those used at the farm house.
The man described was q stranger in the
locality, and had been seen in the neighbor
hood during the day. 1t was ascertainec
that he had inquired ct different farm houses
for work. 1t is also stated that he had beer
observed by some of the nearest neighbour
of deceased lettering about the premises
during the afternoon, and that he had beer
seen running from the house In a north
eAsterly direction, carrying q bundle in nj
arms. 1t is stated that he at Ogle'
station yesterday, stopped ct house ant
begged for something to eat.
The murderer stole, in addition to tn
clothing mentioned Two finger rings, tw
breast-pins, and two sets of earrings, wit
inc lulllhlb OF INC LIuEu6EcO HOunh AoFo
thereon.
THE VICTIM.
Mrs. Mary Peter had been married Ii
tie over two months, and she was living o
farm presented to her and her husband b
her father, Mr.. Keck. She was only 2
years of age, was handsome, and vas he'll
in much respect and esteem. Her husban
is an industrious, respectable young mar
brother of Officer George Peter, of the 81
Louis police force.
INQUEST.
Coroner Joerg of Beleville held IN il
quest ON the body yesterday, and returne
an open verdict.
EXCITEMENT.
As may be imagined, this cold bloode
murder has caused quite o sensation anon
the people. 1t is hoped the murderer ma
be speedily captured and dealt with by tn
officers Of the law.
REWARD.
Mr.. James W. Hughes, sheriff Of st. Clsi
county, has sent information TO the chief {
police Of ST. Louis that he is authorized
offer a reward of 5000 for the arrest of tn
murderer.
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