, 1874-02-20
CRIME
mysterious Murder Of a Woman and
Child Near Davenport.
History Of the Treble Murder at Hall
fax, Mass.
Miscellaneous Criminal Itc1nS-

Miscellaneous Criminal Itc1nx-
A Woman fsrutnlEy Murdered Ncar
davenport, III,
Special DtapatcA to The Chicago Tribune.
DAvENronT. 1a., Fob. 10.-1n Sheridan ToUn-
ship, this county, n worry shocking murder was
committed Inst night, tl,o victim bong MrH.
Elizabeth B1ownlie, vifo Of Alexander II.
Brownie, wealtlly farmer Of this county.
Whilo aono In tho house with har four Bmnll
children, she was shot by Bomo man outside tho
window, who discharged both bnrrols Of shot
gun, ono charge striking hor shoulder, and
broaking l,or arm and shoulder tho other chargc
entering hor loft breast, fcarfully mntila-
tins n0 nd bon1sF hF tint eof ers aess ees
two moi, ono Of whom broke open window IN
another roona the ono who killed Mrs. Brownie
in tho meantime standing guard. Tho lady
hoard tho nuiso. made MI alarm, md waH tllou
shot dead. a little boy years old, who was
Mrs. Brownie WAS n beautiful and worthy
wouaan 80 years of age. and daughter or tho
lion. IT. Nf. Thomas. Tho murder creates great
excitement and SORROW. There ia no cluo to tho
porpesrators.
Two wealthy Farmers and n Maiden
Indy Murdered Mt Halifax. Mass.
"a1'aT' 1a''. tf'' III ies pispae TO tic S''' H''k
This obscure village IN plymouth County, has
boon tho scene of tragedy which, for tho nuall-
bor Of victims and tho 1nystory Of tho cfrclin-
stances, is unparalleled in tho HISTORY OF crimes
maksr by tito nnmo Of Luli, having occasion to
visit neighhor for tho purpose Of sharpening
Bome knives, stumbled upon tho body Of 0
maiden lady named Mary Buckley, lying on
crosspath, about thirty rods from tho farm-
house Of Thomas md Simeon sturtovRnt, with
whom she lived iu tho capacity Of horsckcopcr.
Sho was lying face downward, and the back of
her head presented q sickening sight,, being
mont impellod by such powerful forco III to
embed hor faco almost completely In tile ground.
Startled by tho evidence of murder no appall.
ing, Lull hastonod at onco to tho farmhouse Of
viflod to find tho body Of Thomas sturteyant
stretched at full !ongth in tho porch OF tho dwell
ing. cold III the embrace OF doath, with lnntcrn
by il,B sido, aB If ho had been nssassinated just
yard. His face was most brut:lly mangloa, pro-
sentiug additional evidence lint tho assassin,
whoever lo may be, had not vested coutont with
tho taling Of single lifo.
Penetrating into tho dwelling. Lull crossed
tho Kitchen alri ontered au ad}oiniug bedroom,
where on tho bed he discovered, stir in death,
tho remains Of Simeon Sturtoyant, tho walla mud
coiling Of tile apartment being apatterod with
tho blood OF tho murdosers third victim. Lull
tleu hasteucdto arouao the villagers, aud fy
them tho body Of tho woman waa tskon rp and
conveyed to tho kitchon, where 1t waa laid sldo
by sido with tho body Of Thomas Sturtoyant,
which was brought in from tho porch. Tho
triple murder Is supposed to lavo been COM
evening oil tho victims arc known to have been
alive, as neighbor parted with them at about
TINT hour.
Tho theory in the village is that Thomas was
trichon first, o was preparing to tnke fi1lal
look Mt tho grounds before retiring to rest
aud that tho murderer after asaaiiing him then
proceeded to dispatch Simeon, alias Buckley
Lying from the house IN terror; only to be pnr-
sued, ovortakon, ard slain by tho aBsassu. 1t is
supposed that the object of tho crime was
money, aB It was vol known in tho village tllat
the Sturtovanta wore in the habit OF keeping
large sum in tho house, and ailigcnt soareh has
tho dwelling. From tho circumstances, it ii
conjeotured tint tho murderer waa entirely suc-
cessfm in carrying ont hisplan. 4 case Of drawers
where ono OF tho brothers kept his valuabloB WAS
thoroughly examined and stirrcd up BY tho mur
dorer, and it is probable tint considerable sun,
OF money waa taken. III Miss DuckloY'B room it
WIS found that her trunk had not been disturbed,
mud In it wore found about 5000 and D gold
watch. Tho weapon with which n1l the murders
were committed was evidently q birch sled stake,
about four feet in longth, as one WAS found
horribly blood-Btained nbout nix feet from tho
spot where tho body Of the woman was dis
covered. and tho indontationB OIL tho wall aud
ceiling OF tho porch and bedroom load 10 the
deror swung tho club. At present thero arc no
threads by which tho nnt1lor Of tho crime can,
without difficulty, bo revealed.
Tho Victims Of tho tragedy woro all oltlorly per-
sons, Miss Buckley being about 70 years old,
whlo tue Sturtevant brothers Ind nearly roaoll-
cd 80. rho latter wore wcll.to~do, the wealthiost
fnrmors III town, una among tho most highly
respected They woro rigidly economical. mud
hoarded all tho money they obtained never do
posting any in the sayinga-bankB. A gentleman
who owns lind adjoining tho eatnto Of tho
turtevanls describes tlcu aH tall Btalwart mon,
Simeon being over Six feet in stature. Ho il Of
opinion that they had iii their possession coll
siderable sum Of money at tho time OF tho m,,r-
der, which fuct, being known to the perpetrators
Of the crime, induced its commission. 4 coro-
<or's investigation laa been commenced. but thus
tar nothing beyond Tho circumstance OF finding
tho bodies han boon developed.
DosToN, Fob. 18.-Wilam T.. 6turtevant
Inns been arrested for tho murder, ut Halifax,
Alaas., of his uncle and Miss Buckley, and COM
mitted to !ail. His over-coat, which io said was
lost, has been found in tho dwelling Of the mur-
dercd family.
Curious Case OF Alleged Theft In
Springfield, Ill.
Special Dispatch 10 The Cit,ca0o TRIBUNE
SPRINGFIELD ILL.,, Feb ia rnther inter-
esting caso was on trial yesterday and this
morning before Judge Seane. of this circuit.
c:tzon of Carlinyille, lost his pocket-boolk con-
thinning $4,000. 4 man by the name Of George
Myers citizen Of Macoupin County, shortly
F.z.