Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-04-22
aLEX.a.v.DR1A GaZETTE
A Missing Man Discovered.

ton mystery 10 the peaSantest possible nlafl-
ncr 1t says:
4 strange combination of circumstances has
existed during the past four months at Barton,
in this county, giving rise to vast deal OF COM
ment and many surmises by the people of that
region, as also in other parts OF the country.
\ brief and truthful narration of the affair We
herewith give:
In the early part Of last winter man about
siytv years of age named Daniel Beall was em-
Moved as laborer at and about the mines in
thr vicinity of Barton Being an unmarried
man he boarded at boarding house near Bar
top at Morrison's Mill kept by John B.
Swauyer. 1t was generally supposed and talk
ed about that Beall had several hundred dol
lars in his possession, which he always carried
about him. He was steady in his habits. and
4 peaceabe and quiet citizen On the morn
inc of the 9th OF January last Beall was miss
ng from his boarding house. lie had re-
tired to his bed on the night previous as usual
but in the morning his place was vacant, and
NO person knew how or when he lett or Was
taken from the house. No appearance OF the
man being made that day nor the next, inquiries
we're made as to bis whereabouts but no
n.rson knew anything about him later
,han the evening he retired to bed in Mr..
Swaueer's house. 4 week and more having
nassed and still no trace discovered OF the
missing man, the people began to enter
tain suspicion of foul play, which gradually
" strengt hened and fastened on, John
i Swaurer as having secretly made way
with the man Bea for the sake OF his money.
Atlas Swauger was arrested by posse OF cltl.
zens who charged him with having murdered
BealI but the arrest was decided illegal be-
cause the body of the suspected murdered man
had not been described, and consequently Swau-
yer was released, but strict watch was kept
upon all his actions. Mr.. Swauger most indig-
nanty denied the charge and demanded OF his
acclsers some proof before charging him with
50 heiuouS crime as murder. But tue lmpu-
lation of the crime rested upon Mr.. Swauger
to the great trouble and regret OF himself and
family. the latter maintaining with him his en-
sire innocence of the crime. ln the meaptime
the public mind was convinced that murder
had been committed, and that Mr. SWaugcr
knew more about it than he chose to tell. =
Search was made in all directions in the neigh
borhood of Swauger's house for the body Of the
missing map The creek was dragged the
warter was Withdrawn from the mill dam the
stable flooring was removed the woods were
searched rocks removed every spot OF fresh
" dug earth examned-but still no trace OF
the body could be found. At last the manure
pile at the stable was removed. when man $
Shirt and pants we're found, stained with
blood" as it was thought, but an examination
made by persons who knew what blood stains
were pronounced the discoloratlon upon the
clothes to be from the ammonia and other sub
stances in the manure heap. After weeks Of
searching had elapsed, and every place exam
ined wherein it Was supposed the body ei q
man could be hid, the truitess task was aban-
,loned and Swauger left alone to his guilty
conscience, as most people supposed.
The charge of this dreadful crime was gall
ing to Mr.. Swauger-it was mortifying to his
honor and uprightness-it was au injury to his
business-boarders left his house, people seeul-
ed to shun him, and the matter was harasslng
in the extreme Mr.. Swauger, believing that
the man was alive, determined to find him out,
and sought every means to do so. few days
since, learning that q man not more than twenty
miles distant, at Messrs. Vests saw mill, an
swered the description Of the missing man,
and that he was also called Beall, Mr. Swau-
ger Immediately took the cars aud went to that
locality. Approaching the MILL judge OF his
agreeable emotions on seeing the verltable
Daniel Beall quietly at work ,all unconscious OF
the trouble and anxiety felt as to his where
abouts Upon informing Beall OF the nature
of tie affair, and his supposed murder he
promptly agreed to return with MIR. Swauger
to Barton and show the people that he was
still in the land OF the living, well and hearty;
We had the satisfaction OF meeting Mr.. Beall
in this city on Tuesday, and hearing from
him that he had quietly lett the house OF his
owD accord on the night he was missing, and
walked over the mountain to Vests mill,
where he had been steadily at work ever since
He assigns as cause for leaving, some olssat,
i.Ea :tion with other boarders in the house, and
he thought he would leave them, and so quiet
" and suddenly left the premises. Ot course
Mr. Swauger is rejoiced to so successfully clear
himself of the heinous charge, and re-establlsh
his form er good name and standing.
FASHION" OF FUNERALS IN NLw YORK
The present innovation is to lay the body upon
couch, dressed in its accustomed clothing, with
pillow under the head The position is usual
ly that of the right or left side, and the hands
are arranged in some natural and easy position
Ii fthedead is lady "a handsome shawl is thrown
over the figure, and if man, an afghan or SILK
en quilt serves for covering. Flowers are 10
the room: but not in such obtruslve abundance
as to make the odor of these beautiful Things
haunt you forever afterward. The funeral IS
announced, and the friends and acqualDtances
are invited through the public pnuts, to o. 6e
present and take leave of the departed. no .,1
hearse and no coffin affront the sig ght aud chill
the blood with those traditional sentiments
which affrighted our childish years, As many
days atterward as the condition OF the remains
will permit, few Of the nearest and dearest are az,
invited to assist in the sad ceremony OF burial
Loving hands life and lower the casket, and !S
tender ones strew the earth softly above 1t with
flowers and perhaps some favored Wrapplngs
Of the dead are added to lie between the dust
which usually falls 50 heavily and harshly upon
that other dust that is so dear No strange eye
witnesses this last sacred attention, to the oe-
parted, and no memory of thoughtess jar OF
heavy tread comes back to embitter the remem-
hrance of the sorrowtul event = Chicago Times
NANNED TOMATOES and CORN and