Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-10-14
The Suncook, n. H., Horror.

cosooED. u. H.. Oct. 5.
THE terrible outrage at Suncook, re-
ported late last evening, has aroused in
tense excitement all over the State, and
hundreds are thronging the trains in their
eager curiosity to visit the scene. The
discoveries Of today have, however, been
few. Miss Josie Longmaid, eighteen years
old. daughter Of James r. Longmaid, who
resides a mile and half from the Penn
broke Academy, left home for the acade-
my at eight O'Clock yesterday morning.
The road il lonely one, and in that dis
lance there are but six houses. She was
seen TO pass the house OF Mr.. Amos HOyt,
a fourth Of a mile from her home, but
after that was not seen alive, nor did she
reach the academy. She was not missed
till evening, for her younger brother sup
posed thai Sire had remained at home. Her
father ct once nroused the neiglIbors and a
systematic search was begun on both sides
of the road, Shortly after eight O'Clock
Mr.. Cope, one Of the party, came upon her
bcadlcss body In dense underground Of
birch. about three rods from the road, a
mile from home The father was the
third or fourth man 10 see IL, and as his
ewes fell upon the sickening sight he ex-
claimed: aOh. my Godr' and threw him
seif beside the bloody corpse, alternately
kneeljng beside il and embracing IL. The
ground and leaves for quite a space were
completely saturated with blood, as was
the Butt ofthe tree. The clothing Of the
girl was torn into shreds and her under.
clothing torn and saturated with blood.
Her dress and chemise were stripped To
her breast, and three bones Of the right hand
were broken, as If the hand had been struck
when yainly attempting to ward of a blow.
The head was cut off cleanly, as If cut by
a large, sharp knife. The spinal column
was severed between the first and second
vcrtcbre. II was the unanimous opin-
ion Of The physicians that decapita-
ton was performed or begun before the
girl was dead, because Of the evidence Of
her having bled freely. The body was
otherwise horribly mutilated. Two rings,
one Of plain gold and one rubber, and q
gold .cnamcled breast.pin and earrings
were not 10 be found on the body. The
body was taken home, placed in the
same position as when found, the right
leg doubled under the left, the right arm
laid across the breast and left one under
the back. At dawn search was begun by
large party for the missing head, books
and waterproof cloak. About eight
O'Clock Horace Aver found the head part
Nv rolled up in the waterproof about sew
cnty-fye rods northwest Of where the body
was found, in the same piece Of woods.
1t was partially uncovered, resting on
the water proof, which was carefully
thrown over 10, but not quite conceal.
ing IL. There was wound on each
side some inches long, and cut
on the top. On the right cheek there
was well.dcfined print Of a bootheel,
medium size. There was also cut on
her cheek, just front Of the left ear, that
was probably made by some sharp instru.
ment A few minutes later the books
were found, and near by heavy oak
stick considerably stained with blood.
At about ten o'clock Deputy Sheriff
Hidreth took one William Drew, Of Penn.
i@oke, into custody on suspicion. Drew Is
young man, twenty two years OF age, Of
dissolutc habits, and lives about half
mile back of the woods where the murder
was committed. He Is married TO won.
an fully IA dissolute. II was thought adj
visable TO lock him up, Though there il
ms yet no direct proof pointing to him rs
the assassin, Officer Hildreth was obliged
10 draw his pistol on the crowd when he
locked Drew up at Sunco0k.
A negro named Charles Woods has also
been arrested on suspicion Of being con.
ccrned In the crime