The New York herald., 1873-12-31
TRY0N'S TAKING 0FE
The Tragic Fate Of Francis Fischer
Avenged by the Arm Of the Law.
The Elder Murderer Dies in the Moose,
and His Son and Accomplice
Goes to Prison for Life.

will be long notable IN Canadian criminal historv
for the bloody nature OF the deed and the trans
parency OF the attempt to cover 1t up. John Tryon
was man of about 90 years OF age, with several
children, all married and settled His son George
was aged about 80. In the fall or early winter or
1872 they entered into partnership with Francis
Fischer, to hunt and fish and trade with the In
dams upon the north shore. Fischer was Gerr
man, aged so, who came to America about quarS
ter OF q century ago. He was unmarried. rett-
cent man, he had very few acquaintances In the
United States, and no relatives From 1867 to 1871
he was in business as a chemist and druggist al
Syracuse, N. Y, in partnership with James 8.
Plumb. They dissolved partnership in 1871, Plump
paying HIM about $4,000 for his interest in the
business. With this money Fischer came to Cam
ada and engaged in peddling. While on one of his
tours ne met the Tryons as has been before stated
and entered into partnership with them He fur
nshed the outfit and provisions, costing about
$3.50, and was to keep the camp and do the cooks
ing, while the Tryons were to fish, shoot and trap.
THE SCENE OF THE CRIME.
After camping awhile French River they
moved up to Lake Comnandat where they built d
shanty and set to work. Their only neighbor was
man named Mckee, who, with his three children,
the eldest boy of 16, lived across the creek A
camp OF Indians was few miles distant, and still
further away, was South River settlement prin.
IL
stood In q grove of trees. Between two of these,
close to the cabin, was erected ''meat rack,i
formed by mailing boards and slabs to the trees,
about eight feet from the ground. Here the hunt
ers piled and hung their venson IN order that IL
might be out OF the reach of wild beasts. On the
2Sth OF February there were some 400 pounds Of
meat upon it,
THE TRAGIC DAY AND DEED.
On that day the settler Mckee was absFt from
home. His son Robert saw Fischer returH to the
cabin about halfpast iour O'Clock IN his usual
health and spirits. About half-past six or seven
O'Clock he was startled by George Tryon, who
came to the edge OF the stream and called out,
"Come over, quick I think Fischer is dead. We
found him lying under the scaffold." Going over,
he found the elder Tryon standing by the scafOld
and crying, "Pull or the slabs" He said to the
boy, "Bring me candle" Both Tryons went
to the cabin, but returned without light, and
only produced one when the boy refused to pro.
ceed without it. Fischer was lying on his back, his
head between the trees and his feet toward the
shanty. One slab was across FIscher's face, the
other across his breast. Che meat was mainly
resting on the slab on the head Mckee uncovered
the body, which was lieless, both of the Tryons
affirming that they were too much unnerved to
help him. On carrying 1t into the cabin and wash.
ing the face Mckee noticed two cuts upon the
forehead and one on the back OF the head.
THE MURDERERs STORY.
He sat up with tie dead man and his unsus.
pected slayers that night. John Tryon told him
that Fischer had often spoken about dying in the
woods, and expressed wish in that event that
his body should not oe buried, but be thrown into
the river. He further said that George had In,
tended going to South River in the morning, and
with him. When Fischer went out the Old man was
lying on the bed and George was sitting by the
fire, wsistng or singing. AS Fischer did not re-
him, and soon called out, 'Father, come out.
saw Fischer ana exclaimed, "Oh, God What shall
we doY" George REPLIED 'Call Bob over" where's
upon the boy was summoned.
made rude coffin OF slabs and buried Fischer in
It. Shortly before the burial John Tryon searched
therelrom some money which he gave to his son.
on the next SUNDAY George Tryon went to south
River and told the story OF Fischer's death and
mailed q registered letter to his vile.
ARREST OF THE MURDEREIS. .
The news OF Flscher's death unoer such sus.
picious circumstances soon reached Parry Sound<
and on the 9th OF April Dr. White and a constabA
were despatched to investigate it. They arrested
both TryonS, In whose possession was found abopA
$500, OF which $3.50 was In greenbacks. The prisov
ers reiterated their former statements as to tue
cause OF Fischer's DEATH Upon disinterring thei
body all the organs were TO und in healthy cOndis
tion, but on the head were five or six lnurderous
nicted with the blade OF an axe The skull was
cut through at each place. The other blow had
fallen on the top OF the skull and crushed it In.
THE TRIAL AND CONVICTION.
After their arrest Mr.. Plumb, Ftscner's former
partner visited the Tryons to ascertain the man
ner OF his death. Tryon, the father told the same
story, but was confused and frequently contra
dicted himself. the trial took place at Barrie,
september 1920. The evidence for the prosecution
was OF a most crushing character, though circum-
stanrlal. The defence vany contended that the
had proved beyond doubt that the wounds never
could have been given In such manner as they
hour found boh guilty. IN inc nare ~ m
agreed with the verdict, and SAID that he could
hold out no hope OF mercy. He hoped the prison.
them to be hanged the execution to take place on
the 10th day 81 December. II was subsequently
postponed until to-day The prisoners, being asked
why the sentence OF the Court should not be
passed upon them, John Tryon said ~ am not
guilty OF the crme-nelther OF u.s. Could the jury
see the place wnere the death occurred they
would say so toe too George Tryon said:-"l am as
child; hope the country will not let them want.n
THE CONFESSION.
Next day the Hon. D'Arcy Boulton, their counsel,
called on John Tryon and told him that, as all hope
Of escape from the galows was now past it would
be as ell for him to confess his guilt If guilty he
condemned man iell upon his knees, and, with up
lifted lace and hands, made clean breast OF the
murder. detailed statement OF his confession
was taken by the Governor OF the jail, lollows:
John Tryon says that on the last day Of February e
money that time he Was not aware that e
possessed o. money Of any amount on the next day
ting more concerned about vile, who was fast az.
bear The thought OF his son leaving him behind, as e
thought he could not endure the hardshps till the open
ing oi navigation. IL was dark and he had lain
down on bed in corner OF the shanty while George
Symn II ssS
out 10 cut mest for early breakfast when lie
Fischer open the door II seemed 10 him If the devil
entered INTO him IN moment and that he suddenly
sol cd on killing Fischer, knowing tha' that wouln put
end TO his sons idea OF cavin2 having caslns
his feet he slipped from the bed quietly possible and
outside the dOrr situated right behind his SON back
when c got outside he seized large chopping axe and
followed, unobservcd by Fscitr who had Just raj
his head TO look at the yrnson when Tryon hin
such heavy blow with the pole OF the as to break
the skull. Fischer fell his aiier which he
HIM several blows which killed him. lie took hold of
oi his feet place II the hand Sleigh the
scatod, and n dong so turned him over his back.
fell Fshcrs lace Iryon then piled the meat on
the slab ana hurried back into the shanty Gcorgo
had missed him he still singing and he
did not notice him come in and pass back to the
bed. lie Tryonl was not absent minute
an, half After lying about 10 minutes he
then pretended to get up as u nothing had occurred He
said George Docs not Fischer out long What
kec ps him ~ lie got up and look him.