Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-07-04
DEVIL POSSESSED.
A Terrible Deed-A Man Runs Another
Through With scythe without a
Motlve-The Murderer Thinks Himself
Possessed by the Devil.


The sickening details Of terrible affair
happening few miles this side Of Adams
town, between that village aud Reinbold's,
on the farm owned by Buckley, have
Just COME to hsnd.
II was on Thursday when several men,
among whom were Samuel Klopp and
John Meyer, were in field moving.
Work had proceeded from early morning
until lunch time, aud the sun had arrived
at near meridian, when Samuel Klopp
took his scythe, long, narrow, sharp
pointed instrument, and without any
provoeation whatever, with one fell
swoop he plunged it into the body of
John Meyer, running the blade through
and through.
This terrible deed happening so sud-
denly, dumbfounded everybody present,
and It was not until a few moments
aflerward that they realized the terrible
situation. Meyer stood in their midst,
pierced through and through. the blood
streaming from the opening of the wound
behind and before, snd, strange to say,
the unfortunate man stood Ike Spar.
tan, and taking hold Of the long blade,
be withdrew it carefully aud gently,
threw it on the ground red with gore,
and then tainted away.
klUpp, whs did the deed, stood riveted
To the spot, and looked with glazed eyes
on the poor man who lag bleeding and in
an insensible condition on the ground.
lie looked, and then in u half audible
tone hissed out the words " knew I'D
do II. l had to do ii. The devil was in
me and had to come out" The man
was taken care Of and properly secured
to prevent him committing any more of
such murderous Outrages.
rhe news spread with great rapidity,
and it was not long before Il large num-
Der Of people had congregated about the
spot. The dying man came to his senses,
and was carefully lifted and placed on
pillows In a spring wagon aud taken
toward home. But that was a ride Of
tortuTIng death. At every revolution of
the wheels the poor man would groan
and piteously appeal to his attendants for
! help. Then he was carried home 10 his
sorrowing wife and four children, where
the scene was heartrending in the ex-
treme. Medical aid was at once SUM
mOned, and an examination followed.
The scythe entered on the right side a
little TO the rear, about inches above the
hip, and came out Oh the right breast,
about tinehes below the shoulder. Where
il entered there was a terrible cash about
inches long from which the blood flowed
freely. The doctor who made the exam
nation was able to Introduce his entire
hand into the wound. 1t was supposed
that the mans right lung was completely
severed in two. During the examination
Meyer was perfectly sensiblei but at our
| last accounts he was slowly sinking and
1t was not thought he could live through
the night.
Samuel Klopp, the man who committed
the decd, is about 20 years Of age, and is
the son of very respectable parents, re-
siding in the neighhorhood. Ever since
childhood, II is said, that he has been
subject to attacks of "crazy fits" dur
ing which times his actions were very
queer. Almost everybody in that vicinity
can relate some curious story of young
Klopp. He has been heard to say upon
numerous occasions that he was be-
witched, ferhexed," and that the devil
had possession OF his soul. Some time
ago he told Meyer that he would kill
somebody one of these days, and that
would send him TO his master the devil
These spells would come on him upOI
frequent occasions, but he never made
any attempt to harm any one before
Thursday. lie was living with his parents
at the time, who upon the receipt of th'
news, were terribly agitated aud alarmed
The son remained at home until yester
day, when lac was conveyed TO Lancaster
aud placed in the hands Of the polici
authorities of that city.
This terrible tragedy has occasienet
much exciteBent in the vicinity OF it
occurrence, and much sympathy is eN
pressed for the unfortunate man Meyer
aud the parents Of the young man VIII,
did the deed. Meyer, at last reports
could not live, aud II may be that befos
this article is read by the Eagle readers
he may be dead. This is one Of the mos
horrible butcheres tbat has taken plac
this vicinity for some time.