The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1871-05-11

" COUNTY AAsAaLEOE9s
A RrIds or Two 5ntsntas 1suasrIy
Butehere6- Unknovsn Vaeabon6
Ghe 1furdsFsF. ,--r s-.---
A revolving crime, the bare recital Of
which is enough to make the blood run
cold, was pepetFeted in st. Gair county.
Illinois, on Saturday eYsuinL and has in
censed the people of the locality to q de-
: The tragedy was committed at the farm
house 81 Christian Peter, six miles south
west Of ReIleville, and the victim was
Mrs. Mary Peter, wife of Mr.. Peter, and
daughter Of Mr.. John Keck, an aged and
highly respected citizen Of the county,
Between three and four O'Clock on Sat-
urday aftcrnaon, Mr.. Peter left his house
to 60 to that Of his father-in-law
for wagon load Of corn, and It was dur
ing his absence that the terrible affair oc-
CURED. Subsequent revelations show
that not long after his departure a stran.
ger called at the house, and seeing no one
but q defenseless woman present, proffeT-
ed insults which rather than submit to the
lady chose the less bitter alternative of
death. The heartless intruder commenced
violent assault on Mrs. Peter, which
she resisted with all her strength How
desperate the struggle was, was sufh-
ciently evident by the wounds she re-
ceived, and the slaughter house appear
anoe of the room Though, at the end OF
the struggle, the victim Of the attempted
outrage lay lneless, the villain was dis
comftted in his base purpose.
Discovery OF THE slURpEE.
Mr.. Peter returned shortly before sun.
down, and was taken by surprise by miss
ing his customary greeting on approach
ing 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 jugular vein sew
cred, her face hacked and bruised, hair
torn in handfuls from her head, and her
clothing rent. Blood stained the wall
and spattered the furniture, and had trick
led in pools.
Mr.. Peter, shocked scarcely as man had
ever been before, raised the alarm and as
founded his neighbors by the intelligence
of the orime.
Parties of men were organized to en-
deavor to capture the murderer, and the
country was secured in all directions, un-
til darkness stopped further search The
good work was continued yesterday,
THE MURDERER.
The man suspected was in the town 0!
Centerville at about three o'clock on Sat
urday afternoon, and while there stepped
into store and asked for q 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 a late hour, FIVE and si1
O'Clock, the same man was again observed
lettering about the farm where the mur-
der was committed. A match was found
lying on the floor, and it is surmised thai
it fell from the mans pocket while he wsi
/, in the act of numbering Mrs. Peter. The
! match corresponded exactly with those
: given the man at CenterVille, and was diff
ferent in shape from those used at the
. farm house. r-.,.. - fr,s
The man described was a stranger in thG
locality, and had been seen in the neigh.
: borhood during the day. It was sscer
tanned that he had inquired at differ
ent farm houses for work. IL is ais,
stated that be had been observed by some
I of the nearest neighbors OF the deceased
! lettering about the premises during the
: afternoon, and that he had been seen run
ming from the house IN northeastsrly d.
lrection, carrying bundle IN his arms. i
;, is stated that he vas at Ogle's Station
: !. yesterday, stopped at house and beggeS
: for something to eat. I
The murderer stole, In addition TO thl
! clothing mentioned, two finger rings, two
breast pin5, and two sets Of ear rings
: : with the initials Of the murdered woman
: > engraved thereon. 81 s1faas-