The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-11-25
A Strange Affair-Was it Murder2

house was burned in Bloomfield
township last week, and the dead body
of a woman found near. Coroner Hoover
held an inquest, and we give the testi-
mony taken before the jury:
Felix Nash sworn Am acquainted
with Mary Bruce Recognize the de-
ceased as said Mary Bruce. Think she
is about Sc years OF age. Is married, but
is not living with her husband She was
subject to fits-saw her have them twice,
had them about once month, had them
last month about the 2Sth of October.
They occurred regularly, about the same
time every month. Recognizes her from
general appearance, also by her earrings
and shoes. His
FELIX x NASH
mark.
Riley Corn sworn. Am acquainted
with Nathan Louder. Met HIM near
Joshua Whittaker8, about I of a mile
from Louders house. l was coming from
near Winchester, towards home. Louder
was going from his home towards Win
chester when / met him. He told me
there was something lying in his yard
that looked like man. He appeared
somewhat excited. He insisted that
should go past his house with him and
see what it was. | insisted on coming
past Gales. We took Gale with US.
When we got on the hill above Gales
house we saw Louder's house burning.
When we arrived at the house it had not
fallen in yet. Louder went in and
brought out bed tick and an old quilt.
Am satisfied he brought out nothing else.
/ saw deceased lying about "a feet from
the door, dead. She was lying in the
same position that she was when the
Coroner came, lying on her back in
strained position, badly burned, being
entirely naked except shoes and stock
ings. From the appearance of the ground
! thought she had been dragged from the
direction of the door to where she lay.
We arrived at Louder's house between
and o'clock P. M. From the appear
ance the fire originated in the back part
of the house RILEY CORN.
= Nathan Louder sworn. 1 left home
about noon yesterday. Left fire in the
fire place. Went to Joshua Whittaker's.
l returned home from Whittakers be-
tween three and four o'clock. | got over
the fence and saw something looked like
; a man. Was about ten feet from the
BODY. Mary Bruce came to our house
on Sunday, and staid all night, left on
Monday morning after breakfast, about
6 or o'clock. HIS
NATHAN x LOUDER.
mark.
Joshua Whitaker sworn. Am &C
ouairirrd with Nathan Louder, and als'
his mother Mrs. Louder came to my
house between and 3 o clock yesterday
and Nathan came soon afterwards. Ma
than left my house about o'clock, or Il
little after. When he left my house ht
said he was going home to grind his AK
and started in that direction. Mrs
Louder left my house after Nathan did.
JOSHUA WHITAKER.
Miss Nancy A. Peart sworn: RecogzIz'
the body of Mrs. Mary Bruce. live aoou
quarter OF a mile west OF Louder
house. Saw Mrs Bruce going in th"
direction about clock yesterday alter
noon. Nancy A. fEAni'
c. j. Gale sworn. | was acquainted
with Mrs. Mary Bruce. Found her lynn
on her back about or 6 steps from In
house. She was burnt to crisp; say
no fire about her person. Louder tol'
me there was sonething like paddy,
stm-th.ng to scare hum. he SAID IL ma
Teen, or was burning. think there wa
FIRE in the fire place. Somebody tol
me it was Mary Bruce, and upon exam
lining the body ! found II to be mar
srases Louder went 'n'e tne nous