Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-12-25

MURDER NEAR HAMoKIN.-FREDERICK HIS
SER, THE CORONER OF THE COUNTY, THE VICTIM.
On Saturday morning last, as the engineer Of
the breaker at Hickory Swamp Coliery, about
three miles from Shamokn, entered the engine
room he discovered the body of Frederick Hes
ser. the night watchmau, with his head beaten to
an uurccognizablc extent. The body was quite
cold, showing that the deed had been committed
sometime during the night. 4 hatchct aud a
hickory club were found IN the engine room
stained with blood, which, it is supposed, were
used TO commit the horrible deed. it il thought
tue attack was made by several persons who had
nOisclessly approached him in the dark. The
skull of his head was broken, and ! number Of
wounds about the head were made with 4 ham
ner and club, which mo- doubt caused his death
instantly. The murder was not committed for
the purpose of robbery, all his eilects,evcn Eis
watch. were undisturbed. After the murder was
committed the ficnds covered his body with his
coat, in which position be WAS found in the morn
ing. # is supposed that the deed was commit
ted between the hours or nine and ten O'Clock in
the evening. Mr.. Hesser had been in the habit
of regularly striking the hours, but no one in the
vicinity heard the striking Of the hour after nine
Mr.. Hesscr was forty seven years Of age, and
leaves large family. An inquest was held over
the remains on Saturday, by Esquire Caldwell,of
Shamokin, and a verdict rendered that the de-
ceased came to his death by blows at the hands
Of persons unknown 10 the jury.
Mr.. Hesser was i popular and amiable ma1',
with few or no enemies. He was well known
through the coal region, and highly esteemed by
all. He was elected, in 1872, Coroner Of the
county. on the Republican ticket, and his term
would have expired on January l, lS7G.
The motive prompting this horrible murder |
must have been revenge. In that region mur- |
der has become science superior to the law, and
the day must come when the law must be discard /,
ed by law abiding citizens to effect that which the
law cannot accomplish, the conviction ana exc |
cution Of every red handed villain known to be- |
long to the organization called Molly McGulres. |
Tue term is significant of murder-not murder |
for gain, but of that character which has ltb I
origin in hatc-rcvengc. Mr.. Hesser was Killed |
for the reason that he acted ne prominent wit
ness in the recent trial Of Grbbon for murder,
who is now serving 4 term of eleven years IN the
derous gang he was a witness also in several
similar cases. The people Of ShamoAIn are
phrenzied with excitement in regard to this muir
der. and have organized number Of committees
Of search and investigation. In view Of the fact
that in no Instance, although murders are OF dai-
" occurrence. has there been conviction and
punishment they consider the immediate lynch
ing upon the apprehension Of the parties con
cerned in this case. 4 necessary and righteous
punishment. Until this organization is dclared
a band Of outlaws-obedient to no law and pro-
.ected by none-no mans life will be safe in the
region, and particularly the lives Of those who
administer or stand up in its defence. When
IN organization of robbers and murdeTers be-
,omc so subtle in its operations as TO cvade the
aw as completely as has this organization, and
% extensive in its ramfication as TO be the terror
If region covering one-sixth Of the State, We
sould not be surprised to see the law Of the
outh-west adopted by the enraged and terrified
itizeus-the only law ,eft-wEich is in spirit ian
We for an eye and a tooth for Il tooth