Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-06-21

Abraham j. Lynn, by striking him on the heao
with crowbar, disclosed the facts and cir
cumstances of crime which will be remem-
bered as among the most remarkable 10 Its
details which have ever occurred 10 this State.
The facts elected were substantially as fol-
lows On Friday, the 9Th of April last, Abra-
ham j. Lynn, a strong, vigorous and athletic
mar, of about IS years Of age, medium height.
and weighing l65 pounds, left bis house. situa-
ted about hundred and forty feet from En-
glars mill, which he had been running for
seven years Before leaving his house, he
counted out, in the presence of bis wife, nine
hundred dollars, and placing it in long pock-
etbook, put it in his inside coat pocket, the
top of the pocket-book protrudiug and being
easily observable. In answer to his wife, be
stated that the money was for a Mr.. Warner,
who would call for it the next day, and that
i was then o'clock His vile observed him
as he went to the mill, and saw him meet
Joseph Davis, q young man in his employ,
as he stepped upon the platform before the
mill door, and that some words passed between
them. She did not see either of them enter
the mill. At about half-past 2 o'clock she
observed that the windows and doors OF the
mill were closed. At P. NJ. Mrs. Looking
bill came to the mill, made purchase Of flour
from Davis, and was informed by him that
MIR. Lynn was at his house and unable to be
at his business. When she asked for bill
Davis gave her one without name or date, and,
during the time he was serving her, appeared
agitated and in hurry. Shortly before this
incident occurred Mr.. Rinehart visited the
shoemaker's shop of Mr.. J. Hamilton Sheu,
situated across the road from the mill, and
found Davis in conversation with Sheu. A
few minutes later Davis went to the door of
the shop and listened intently, and Mr.. Rine-
hart, observing that he looked startled, inqur-
ed the cause. He answered that he thought
he heard jar in the machinery Of the mill,
and going into the mill returned in about five
minutes. At3 P. N. or soon thereafter Davis
was seen by Mrs. Lynn and two ladies, who
resided opposite the mill and only thirty-6ve
yards distant, to ride off in the direction of
Union Bridge, distant two miles, on horse
belonging to Mr.. Lynn. The two ladies also
observed that the doors and windows of the
mill were closed. Att P. M, or shortly after,
Davis returned, having been recognized at
Union Bridge and on the road, both when 60
ing and returning. He found colored man
waiting for assistance, and going into the mill
geappeared in minute or two with an iron
crowbar, and with it assisted in unloading the
l0es brought by the colored man for saw
mill which was attached to the flour mill. In
few minutes DR.. Martin arrived and asked
fer certain quality of -four. At first Davis
said he had none, but when urged entered the
n0ill and quickly brought it. His face was
at this time pale and his manner much hurri-
ed. Shortly after, Mrs. Lynn called and in
auifed for her husband, whom she had not
seen since o'clock. Davis replied that he
had gone away "somewheres," aud for time
the anxiety of Mrs. Lynn was partially re-
aieved. Within fifteen or twenty minutes
after, Davis went to Mr.. Lynn's house and
when Mrs Lyuu inquired again for her hus-
band and expressed her apprehension that
something had happened to him, he answered,
"Happened the dickens he has gone to the
store r. Mrs. Lynn replied, mo, he does not
go away and leave the mill running; be does
not do business tina: way; ITO which be made
no reply, but declined to eat supper, and
hurried away in the buggy of Mr.. Lynn, which
be said had been promised him. Mrs. Lynn
became very anxious, and going about o'clock
to Mr.. Adam Fuss, whose residence was close
by, besought him to make search for her hus-
band. At once Mr.. Fuss, accompanied by J.
Hamilton Sheu, entered the mill, and after a
careful search, fouod the dead body. of Mr..
Lynn 10 a wheat sink, the opening to which
was II by % inches, and Its depth nine feet
The dead man lay in the wheat with his right
hand extended, bis head thrown to the right
side, his left arm resting on round hickory
peg, 5 inches long and 4 inch in diameter, and
which extended 10 the sink at about six feet
from the opening. His face was bloody, and
a. H. IA 81
saturated with blood, and bis right-hand coat
pocket was turned out. The proper steps
were at once taken to give information, and
q number of neighbors soon assembled. The
body was taken from the sink, and careful
examination revealed the fact that the sides
of the sink were much saturated with blood,
the print of bloody hand appeared about
foot from the mouth Of the sink, pieces of the
hard edge of the sink had been splintered off
as if by blow from heavy and blunt in-
strument, aud number of blood spots were
found on the wall adjoining the sink, which
had the appearance of having been squrted
there. At 10 o'clock Dr. E. o. Mannakve, a
highly respectable physician of Carroll coun-
ty, arrived, and examing the dead body found
wounds only upon the head. He gave the
opinion that they might have been inflicted
by violence, or from an accidental fall into the
sink. A jury of inquest met on Saturday,
and after thorough examination Of the head
Of the dead man, DR.. Mannakee discovered six
distinct wounds, five Of which were confused
or punctured flesh wounds, and the sixth ga
lscerated wound of the scalp" A further ex-
animation disclosed under the sixth wound,
and corresponding with it, "a fracture of both
tables OF the skull"
The sixth wound aud the fracture beneath
were declared to have caused death, and when
the crowbar before mentioned was brought
and the point placed in the depression in the
skull it fit with exactness." At the inquest
Davis appeared as q witness and testified that
he had beeu given on Friday by Mr.. Lynn a
letter to Mr.. Warner, who resided near Lin
wood, and that he kuew that it was to request
him to call the next day for $900-and that
lie had on the Thursday previous seen Mr..
Lynn count out in his office ST. 400. He fur
Their testified that at 8 P. M. on Friday he was
sent "with an order" to Mr.. Russell at Union
Bridge and had been told by Mr.. Lynn to
hurry back, as he wanted the horse. He
made no ex PLANTATION Of the statements of Mrs.
Lookingbill, DR.. Martin and the colored man,
further than that he had. told Mrs. Looking
bill that Mr.. Lynn was sat his house or on
: the saw MILL" It was also in evidence that
when the dead body of Mr.. Lynn was found
in the sink eight or niue barrels of -four were
around the opening and a number of millers
and others having knowledge Of the habits OF
Hiliess, and of Mr.. Lynn in particular. testi-
fed that it was never the custom to place
barrels in the way to the opening to the sink.