Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-01-25
KNOX, STARK Co., IND. }
January I'D, 1871.

| odAudi5 ~~u, 1Ot1.
Editor Plymouth REPUBLICAN:
An event is on the tapis of unusual
occurrence, a succinct account of which
may not be uninteresting to your readers.
| About the LIST of October last three per-
sons, Geo. Ranseer and wife, and Shell
don Smith. brother-in law of the former,
located in San Pierre, Mailing as they
said from Michigan, not far from Adrian
They occupied IA room in a house of one
of the residents of the town, and Ranseer
! worked on the Plymouth, Kankakee &
Pacific Railroad He was in the habit
o taking his dinner as the distance
was over mile. On the morning of the
9th of October, his wife told him that she
had forgotten to prepare his dinner, but
would send it by Smith, who conveyed it
to him about 8 or 10 o'clock. Ranseer
appeared in usual health and worked
that forenoon with usual energy. At
noon while eating his dinner he COM
planned of thirst, and attempted to rise to
get water, which was about 40 rods dis
tant. but remarked that his legs were
stiff so as to render him unable to do so
a comrade offered to get SO me water for
him. When he RETURNED with the water
Ranseer was in commissions, his conrad
supported his head until he recovered
conciousness, and then asked him what
he thought was the matter He replied
he must have had fit His conrad ask
ed him if he had ever had tit before
He replied that he had not. He express
ed wish to see his wife and have his
bother IN law sent for, then he immedi-
ate'y took another fit, then a third in
which he died, about two minuts before
Smith, Tho had been sent for, arrived.
He turned black and was perfectly stiff
before he ceased to breathe His corpse
was conveyed home his friend accom-
panying it, Smith taking charge OF the
dinner bucket. On arriving at the house
his wife hastily took charge of the buck
ct. DR.. Glazebrook had been summoned
and found him SO stiff that it was impos-
slble to bend any part of the body.
During the night his widow frequently
burst into peals Of laughter and then
would remark %! | forgot myself and
then burst into tears Ii was noticed
that ehe and Smith frequently left the
house and whispered together, and dur |
ing this coll1quy she would laugh loudly. !
lhe body was buried, but soon sus- |
piclons were aroused of foul play The |
coroner Was written to. in reference to il. |
but did not receive the note. On the 4th |
OF this month the Brainard Medical So |
ciety met at North Judson, and DR..
Glazebronk related he facts, and reques-
ted The coroner should be mott led, anu
have The matter attended TO. On the 10th |
inst, the cororers accompanied by DR. B. |
Bul kett and myself, Went to San Pierre, |
the pa.ties We're arrested, the body ex-
h lmed, post norton examination held, |
and unmistakaDle proofs OF poisoning by
arecnick found
The accused parties are now in the GUS
tody OF our sheriff. committed for trial at
the next term of our Circuit Court, which |
takes place the four of next March
Since Ranseer's death Smith and Mrs. |
itanseer have cohabiled as man and wife, !
and profess that they are married |
j Ia 'se who are acquainted With theln sta
ted that fnf profanity, vuiga.ity and OBJ |
sceniiY sne exceed, all wamlnkind, and |
IS rarely eXcelled by the IN ST hardened Of |
the sterner sex.
have given the statements above as I
they were disclosed at he inquest and I
trial, and must say that think the circum
stances cast suspicious shade over |
the prisoners.
The accused were committed by S. Nc !
bratney Esq. of Hailr pld L, wpship
j. Il. HoAG, NJ. d.