The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-20

Of the correctness Of the facts stated in
the opinion of the Minnesota counsel, that
the divorce granted was legal. &== III.
The decedent was convinced that no
legal impeachment existed to Bakers mar
rying; and three days after the date of
the opinion Of the New York counsel, she
was secretly married to him in the resi-
dence Of the clergyman who performed
the ceremony, in the presence of Miss
Brown, the cousin, and male friend of
Baker as witnesses; the arrangements for
the marriage having been previously
made by Baker with the clergyman, who,
having been accidentally informed of
Baker recent divorce, and the doubts in
regard to it's validity, was also shown the
opinion of the counsel, by which he was
satisfied of the right Of the couple to
marry. Baker, soon afterward returned
to Minneapolis, and the dece6ent remain
ed with her mother in New York, keep
ing her famil, entirely ignorant of her
marriage.
On the 5th of March, 1873, the de-
cedent secretly executed her will in the
house Of an acquaintance in Fifth avenue,
and on the next day sailed for Charles
ton, S. c.. where they resided until she
died last summer.
The interest of the contest has been
heightened by the presence of the wife.
Letitia, before Surrogate Hutchings, her
utter ignorance of the whole proceeding
by which she was three years ago divorced
and DETAINED, and the whereabouts dur
ing this time of her truant husband.
The Cherry Grove Murder.
We learn concerning the shooting
affair which occurred in the town Of
Cherry Grove, Goodhue county. on the
night of April 6, about Q o'clock, and
which terminated the life Of William
Churchill, we'll known and wealthy cit.
zen Of that town, that suspicion at once
rested on an Irishman by the name Of
Thomas Condor, who lives about 80 rods
from Churchill's house. It seems that
Condor had settled on eighty acres of
railroad land, had made some improve.
ments by building small house, ETC.,
Wv A1A NV oVCu1CO tAlAVs OAUl CuA4A9
being aware Of this fact, and having
plenty of money, went and bought the
land. On his return he went
to Condon's house and told
him che had bought the land, and it was
his" and he wanted him to leave; that
he did not want the house, and that he
might remove it, At this Condor few
into rage and arose to take down his
gun, when Churchill drew large knife,
and told Condor if he did not let the gun
alone he would cut him open. After
few hard threats they parted. Condor
then went and borrowed another gun, q
doubled barrelcd ore, and procured two
or three charges of ammunition at the
store. When he applied for the gun he
was asked what he wanted to shoot. He
replied that he did not want to tell; that
he had "a particular job to do do with
it, and finally said he wanted to kill
some ducks. On being questioned about
the land difficulty, Condor said she would
be blowing that land long after Bill
Churchill was dead and in H." On
the night of the murder Churchill and
his hired man were sitting by the fire
''settliEg up" when Mrs. Churchill went
to her room to retire, but soon came back
and said that ''somebody was around the
house. On being told that she was
probably mistaken. she went to her room
the second time, but in few minutes re.
turned and said ''she knew somebody was
around the house, for she saw them pass
her window again, and that it was a
man with light-colored hat on At
this the hired man stepped out, and soon
came in and said that ''he guessed it must
be her shadow that she was afraid off,
He then sat down and leaned back in his
chair near Churchill. and they continued
their settling. Almost Immediately the
shot came through the window and killed
instantly, the charge taking
effect in his breast. At the inquest and
post noorten examination two Of the shot
were found, which, though somewhat
correspondent in weight to those |
Condor procured at the store. Condor
was also known to wear a light.colored
hat that day.
Soon after the deed was committed.
two men went to C>ndon's, and, knock
ing at the door, inquired the wav to
Cherry Grove. Mrs. Condor responded
to the call, but hesitated, and seemed to
be at loss to know how to direct them.
She spoke to her husband, who appeared
to be sleeping very soundly, and was
with difficulty aroused. When he an.
peared before them they asked him if he
hid heard the news He said no. They
then told him what had happened. /
He acted perfectly Indifferent, and asked
not single question, as though it was no
news to him at least. He returned the
hnrrnNed pun the next morn;nn C.a.4