The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-06-17
Court of Common Pleas.

State of Ohio VS.. Alexander Criswell.
The indictment charges that on the
night of April 1, 1875. Alexander Girls
well and James Criswell broke into the
dwelling house of Sarah Criswell, with
intent to steal, and did steal, take and
carry away, sundry feather beds, sheets,
blankets, bacon, apples, blackberries, ap-
pie butter, and various other articles.
The evidence showed that about the
middle of March, 1875, Alexander Girls
we'll and James Criswell were at the
hardware store of David L. Pickrel, in
jackson, and Alexander bought pad.
lock with two keys. The keys were of a
keys. Abouta week before the first of
April, Alexander Criswell went to DIR. l.
T. Monahan, who keeps livery stable
in Jackson, saying he would want it
about the first of April On the first day
of April he got the express and started
out on the Adelphia road. Mrs. Lynn
and her little daughter were going out
to VIM. Sells, three miles from town,
and Criswell asked her to ride, and she
did. so. She says there was another man
in the express, but she did not know
him. About four o'clock on the same
afternoon DR.. Stephen Monahan met Al
exander and James Criswell in the ex-
press between Hamden and Cincinnati
(or Richland) Furnace, and, about one
mile from the house of Sarah Criswell.
About eleven o'clock on the same night
Alexander Criswell went to the residence
cf Hiram Strawn, in the same neighbor-
hood, and told Mr.. Strawn that he was
stnSk in the mud, and wanted aid He
was very muddy. Mr.. Strawn took a
light and went and aided him. Criswell
was Bare-headed, and took the light to
hunt his cap. He went over the hill and
remained about ten minutes. Strawn
invited him to stay at his house over
night. Next morning he went early, and
came pack with his cap and overcoat
He borrowed harness from Alva K. Har-
per. and started home.
Sarah Criswell is the wife of Alexander
Criswears brother, but her husband is
not living with her, but lives near Ottum-
wa Iowa Mrs. Criswell had made ar
ranIgements to go to a friends house in
Fayette county, Ohio. to remain month
orr two. James Criswell is her step-son,
9. young man, and made his home with
his step-mother. He gave her paddock
and one key, similar to the one bought at
-2ickrers by Alexander Criswell On the
asst day of March Mrs. Criswell started
oNon her journey, and james Criswell as
sisted in closing the house, and fastened
1.-THE front door with the same paddock
Mrs. Criswell left the beds, bacon, anG
the goods charged to have been stolen
n in her house. On the 10Th of April Mrs
CriswelPs house was burned. Mex
morning the neighbors examined the
10 ashes, and found pieces of clothing, anC
I various other articles not consumed, ever
some straw which had been in the beds
e smothered under the ashes; but ther
was no indication of feathers, or bones o
aI the bacon hams and shoulders. Suspi
cion was raised, and examinations inst
= ;uted The tracks of Criswelrs expires
wagon were traced from the place wher
Il he had stuck in the mud and they passe
4 to Mrs Criswelrs house and out agair
A piece of the broken harness was foun
ri near the house, and it fitted exactly wit
I,j the harness returned by Criswell.
M sheet, and dried apples, and scattere
m feathers were found in the vicinity. Th
D. Criswelrs were arrested. They did nt
attempt to show where they were goin