Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-03-05
ATROClOUS MURDERS.
One in Burnside, Conn, and Ghe Other
in Bethlehem, Pa.


in Bethlehem, Pa.
Specials from Burnside, Conn, and
from Bethlehem, Pa, give particulars
of two most atrocious murders, the
victim in each case being an old and
well known citizen. Their assassins
were undoubtedly highwaymep, who
committed the crimes for the purpose
of robbery.
The victim at Burnside, Conn, is Ira
Bliss, 72 years old station-master on
the Hartford, Providence and Fishkill
Railroad. AS he did not return home
at the usual hou on Friday night, his
son went in search of him. He found
bloody trail, and soon after discov-
cred his father lying prostrate in the
snow, covered with blood, and
partially frozen. He had lain there
for hours His head was badly
gashed and his skull and jaw fractured.
The search for the assassins led to
Hartford, four miles distant, and two
young scoundrels were arrested, who
confessed their crime. Their names
are John Dyre and Oscor Graves, aged
19 and IT years, respectively. When
Graves first saw an officer coming
6OHttid ILL., IiS bOOES 70 uIO uSS1S dISt
threw away a watch and a sum of
money he had taken from Mr. Bliss.
John Dyre says in his confession
that he and Graves had lived at Burn
side or Hartford all their lives, and had
| been for some time contemplating a
| robbery of Mr.. Bliss, while on his way
home from the station at night with
his tin box. They agreed to assault
him on Friday night, and accordingly
lay in ambush, armed with two sticks
of wood. They intercepted Mr.. Bliss,
and he said "Good evening""
to which they responded by beating
HIM furiously over the head with their
clubs. They robbed the unconscious
old man of his tir box and pocket
book, but found, on dividing their
booty, that they had less than S12
each. They took an early train to
Hartford, where both were arrested in
less than twenty-four hours. Both
made full confessions as soon as they
reached jail.
The murdered man at Bethlehem,
Pa, is Monroe Snyder, a well-kncwn
business operator, interested in the
state mines near Bethlehem. Mr.
Snyder was respected by all. By at
tentiOn to business he had accumu-
lated a fortune estimated at 800, 900.
On Friday morning last he came from
Bethlehem to New York to consult a
physician regarding a growing deaf
ness. He left New York Friday even
ing at $50. A Asuspicious-iooking- black
bearded rufian sat in a seat behind
him. When he got off the train at
Bethlehem, at 9:15 P. NJ, the ruffian
was observed to follow him. That was
the last seen of Mr.. Snyder until yes
terday morning at o'clock, when his
body was found in Monocacy Creek,
near the depot. He had first been
struck over the head by a sand-bag.
His outer clothing was then open
ed, and three stabs inflicted,
two on the left side and one
on lthe right. In the snow on the
top of the bridge were traces of the
murder. The snow was matted down,
showing where the assassin had rested
the heavy body for a moment, while
tugging to get it over into the creek.
Below this point, and on the creek
bank, is measured in the snow mans
form, the spot where the body struck
when rolled over the parapet. The
stabs are supposed to have been
inflicted after Mr.. Snyder was
dead, for the wounds did not
bleed either externally or internally.
Tomorrow hIr. Snyder would have
been 55 years old His life was insured
for $65, 900, some portion of the insur
ance having been recently effected. He
had a $40 600 policy in the Pennsyl-
vania Mutual, of Philadelphia; $780,
900 in the New York Mutual; $40, 600
in the Travellers, Of Hartford, and $5,-
coo in the Mutual Protection Life, of
Philadelphia. The assassin escaped,
and in what direction is notyet known.
Lewis Snyder has offered a reward of
$1,000 for the apprehension of the
murderer.