The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-02

4 TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN THE wrLps OF PENN
sYLvANIA-Two BROTHERS MURDER AN AGED
MAN UNDER REVOLVING CIRCUMSTANCES

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN THE wrLDs OF PENN
sxLvANIA-Two BROTHERS MURDER AN AGED
MAN UNDER REVOLVING CIRCUMSTANCES.
TowANpA. Bradford county, Feb. 1, 1876.
A few miles from this place. in Asylum township
there Is q cluster OF half dozen mean houses oc-
cupied evidently by the families OF farm or day
iaborers. But notwithstanding the unattractive
character Of this hamlet and Its surround.
ings, people have Tor several days found
such an irresistible attraction In II that
they have come from miles around and ned
every field aud road, and hung about 1t as II It
were impossible to leave 1t alone 10 its desolation.
The main objects OF interest to the crowds thas
nave come from every direction are TWO particular
huts. The snow In the garden or lot between
these two buildings Is cut up BY several peculiar
looking paths, winch are red with blood. Tnere
are great cots Of blood here and there the snow.
and ON the doors OF both houses. and on the
casings ana on the stills, and even on the shrub
berry by the door the same red marks are plainly
seen.
One Of the small and unprerendtng houses men,
toned had been for years the dwelling OF Egbert
Sickler, an aged and harmless man. For some
time pest there mad been living with him young
married couple named Powers-stanley Powers
and his wife. Powers had long been one OF the
desperadoes OF tnts section. In the other house,
across the lot from Sickler's lives the family OF
'Jule" Powers. q brother OF Stanley'a and bearing
an equally bad reputation.
THE MURDER.
On Thursday last old Sickler and Stanley Powers
came to Towanda. They were here all the after-
noon making purchases ana drinking rather freely.
They got ready to start homo about dusk, both
being the worse for liquor. Powers wife says
man SAT down In chair. Powers was quarrel
some. Alter kicking the chairs over as last as
Centre Of the room, and, umpiaa uOOH 1t. sances
about on 1t as II he were trying to break the bed
he arose and ordered Powers to stop ms noise.
81 am householder here he said; "Pve had.
jumped from the bed ana knocked Seeker down.
the old man regalned his feet, when Powers ieed
him 70 the door WITH chair, cutting large cash
lay on the table near by to. defend himself.
Powers. VINO u quick and very strong.
him, pinnlng both OF the formers arms to his
sides. Powers threw the old man on the bed, and,
pound him. Seeker cried for help and Tor mercy.
Mrs. Powers was AFRAID to render any aid or go
the disturbance, came running into the house.
Seeing the useless knife In Sickler's hand ne
on NM any man ner a
Sckler until ne was nearly senseless
and was covered with blood, the two brothers
about his ankles dragged him out of the house and
through the snow to Jules house. The old man
the world to be set nee. The cries OF SIcker in
the house had brought several OF the nelghoors to
the scene, put when the brothers dragged their
victim out by tue rope they all fed IN fright
to their houses. They look Sickler into
Jules house. After TINS they dragged him
out through u woodnouse and then around the lot
Tor some time, cutting several paths ana staining
the snow with blood They tnen dragged sickier
back into his own house and subjected the old man
to the most nendlsh fortunes. fhere Is no doubt
but that they hung HIM up by the meek and tor
tured him by burning and pncning him. There
are marks OF rope around beam anG the marx
OF q rope plainly around tue neck OF the murdered
man when his body was found.
The news OF tue murder reached this place the
same night, and when the brothers were arrested
and brought here Tears were entertained Tor their
safety, put they we're got into jail, and now await