Smyrna times., 1874-08-12
The Odessa Murder.

thought, accidentally fell in the creek and
was drowned. An inquest was held on the
remains by Deputy Coroner Stephens on Sat
urday morning, and the jury rendered verdict
of death from accidental drowning.
1t is now believed that the man was MUIR
dered and thrown in the creek. The murdered
mans name was Robert A. Mackey, and his
presumed assassin's name Is Joseph Taylor
Both lived in Chester county, Pa, the former
near Jennersville and the latter at Lewisville.
We learn the followinw particulars OF the case
from the Commercial:
On Monday, July 9th, gentleman from
the West with whom Mr.. Mackey had been
completinglsome usiness operations at Jenners
Vile, wished to catch the morning western
bound train on the p. w. Il b. Il. H., at
Newark, and in order to do this, Robert A.
Mackey hitched up the team and IN company
with the dealer from the West started on his
Journey. The train was made in due tme and
Mackey was returning home, through the town,
when he met an old acquaintance, who had
lived 10 Lewisville, and the two concluded to
take drink, which was quickly followed by
several more, until Mackey becoming some
what under the influence Of the liquor,
was persuaded by his companion, who was no
other than Joseph Taylor, to take him to
Delaware City, where he represented light
ming rod man in that place had promised to
Mackey consented, and the two drove off in the
direction indicated by Taylor What happened
on the way no one can tell, but when the team
arrived at st. Georges, the control OF affairs
seemed to be altogether in the hands OF Taylor,
and Mackey in a state of intoxicaton. AT st.
Georges, both parties claimed that they had
no money and remained there several hours,
when Taylor became very anxious to get away,
but Mackey, though thoroughly drunk, resis
ted, until Taylor, who it appears is very well
built man, picked him up and after several un-
successful attempts threw him violently into
the carriage, and jumping in drove off on the
road to Odessa. This was the last time Mackey
was seen alive.
Mackeys father, who on Friday last, upon
learning these suspicious circumstances, tele-
graphed at once to Mr.. William Mcdowell, Of
! Middletown, to investigate the case. At the
same time James Mackey, another son, brother
of the deceased, started at once to NllddletOwn,
arriving there late on Friday evening. He at
once had the body exhumed from where it had
been buried and recognized it as the person oil
his brother Robert.
second inquest was held on Saturday
= morning, under the direction OF Deputy COro-
] ner Stevens, and q careful examination OF the
body was made to discover marks of violence.
Two physicians, one of them DR.. William
Ashcraft, Of Odessa, and the other DR.. Stroud
who accompanied the friends of the deceased
I from Chester county, conducted this examlna
i ton and dissected the head and aims, remov
G ing the scalp from the skull, in order to detec
o injuries upon that part. The result, however
h showed no injuries or wounds of aGy kmC
sufficient to cause death. The jury therefore
e rendered verdict that the deceased came t
/ his death from causes to them unknown.
o On the evening of the day upon which tn
s two lett St Georges, Taylor, with the team
/ but without his companin drove to the Odess
q Hotel, and placing light coat upon the coun
l. ter, desired the clerk to wrap it up, which wa
IS DONE Taylor at the time having on u pair Q
l. pants to match the coat wrapped up and
e blue coat. He then drove off in the directio
s. of Middetown and after getting a drink a
St MaxwelTS Hotel, drove on to SasSafras au
came back to Mddletown early the fOlOwin
e morning. There he Immediately attracte
attention by his bOisterous conduct and h
determination to sell or trade his horse an
wagon. After many unsuccessful attempts an
y. much tall talking, he succeeded in tradin
them for inferior ones and obtaining ditfe
a unce in cash of about 500, when he drove q
rs in the direction of Warwick
ed The body of Mackey, after the inquest, WI
to removed by his brother to be inferred at tt
dt home Of the family in Chester county, going
IT. private conveyance.
l Mackey was of medium hight with a We
ID, thin face, weighing from | 80 to 35 pounds,
delicate build, and with whiskers aud mou
d. tache.
His character was generally good, and e
~ cept when led off upon a spree, he wOu
attend TO his business affairs promptly al
satisfactory, and was looked upon as a me
respectable young man.
ty, When he left home on the morning of {
fatal day, he was dressed as he expected on
to go to Newark, in his every day clOth(
except the coat which was handsome bl
diagonal, such as Taylor had on when he 8
ma. the Odessa hotel. keeper to wrip up the Ing
id, coat for him. This is all important and We
black piece of evidence. Taylor continued
rp- wear the blue coat, when at MiddetOwn, a
its description was recognized by Mackc
ate brother
Inc 1t is ascertained that Mackey took no lal
lm' sum of money with him. As he intended goi
m 'ul to Newark only, he haG perhaps not more ii
erS five dollars about him.
: There is hardly reasonable doubt that
murder took place at or near the point VIII
mel the road from st. Georges to Odessa eros
lelr Drawyer's creek. This is a secluded local
OF The stream winds through the marsh /
lelr houses are near. The spot is precisely such
lse' would permit one powerful man, tolera
8 sober, to throw a drunken companion, of 81
ior der build over into the water, without
'm STRIKING or Deatlng MIN. Anu tnlS l5 the
~, tory of the murder, beyond reasonable dOr
lrs Robert A. Mackey was the son of Thor
'ght Mackey, farmer in good circumstance, '
II lives about mile north of Jennersvie, Cl
nta- ter county, The father was a respected citl,
in Robert was about 33 years of age, unmarr
Jury and lived at home until last Summer, helE
for conduct his fathers business, although er
'ked ged with his brother-in law Thomas Go
tho in the livery business at ParkersburR, and
vein following the avocation of drover, buy
spe- large numbers of cattle and sheep in Wes
lfter Pennsylvania. He is said to have been la
arge Joseph Taylor, Jr., has been, unless all
Ia ports do him gross injustice, very " |
'rds, case." His father, Joseph Taylor, Sr., K,
{ for the hotel at Lewisvile, Chester county,
de- temperate and hard working man, and wa,
COM one time a person of considerable propt
most of which he has lost it is said thrC
the misdoings of his son. The latter is
On between 26 and 27, about FIVE feet 10 in
Ia in high, stout and well built, weighing l65 or
re- pounds, has dark hair gray eyes, and wo
rect, light brown moustache and goatee. He
Doc es well. and is reasonably fine looking ne,