The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-08-31
A DAKOTA COUNTY HORROR
ATERRIBLE MURDER AT RosEMoUNT.
The Murderers are Caught and
Confess.

1t is with profound sorrow we have to an
nounce the murder of Thomas Callahan Esq.
of Rosemount, formerly a resident OF Munger
township On Saturday last, at 8 a. H., Mr..
Callahan had discharged and paid off two of his
thereshing crew ,-brothers.-named John and
Jacob Bird belonging to Francis, in Anoka
county The ''golng wages for threshers at
Rosemount were Sl.25 per day; at which rate
Mr.. Callahan settled with them. They de-
nanded 8 so per day and some dispute took
place between them and Mr.. c. as to the
amount due In paying them f!Mr. G.. dis
played large roll OF money, amounting to two
or three hundred dollars. The sight OF this
money intamed the cupidity Of the Birds; and
proceeding to some timber they cut large club,
Tiled their pockets with hazel nuts for their
dinner, and secreted themselves in a piece of
corn about so rods distant from Mr. Callahan's
house, where they patiently waited all day for
night and their victim. About five o'clock Mr..
Callahan paid Oft the rest of the crew and about
S.3Op M with sos in his pocket ,and driving
his team before him. he started home. The fran
of the deceased Joined that of his brother, John
Callahan ESQ. one Of the county commissioners
of Dakota county; and nearly midway between
the tive houses was depression IN the road
where the murderers attacked him. They APP
preached him in the dark and probably the
nrst intimaton he had OF their presence was a
terrible blow on the head. He cried out ooh
John!' no doubt call upon his brother John
Tor help, but John Bird thought he was recog-
med and proceeded to beat and mangle him
III the most horrible manner, crushing in his
skull. They then dragged the body inside the
fence along side the road, and rihed the pock-
cts bnt got nothing. The deceased probably
dropped his pocket book upon the highway
when first struck, and there it was found next
morning by his brother. The deceased was
Discovered at O'Clock the next morning and
carried into his brothers house, where he ex-
49, . ,5,iA dow, oft
without having recovered consciousness.
The fact that the two men who We're paid OIL
in the morning had disappeared concentrated
suspicion upon them. Sheriff Newell offered a
reward Of $500 for their apprehension and sent
out parties in search OF them all through the
country. The next day Monday Deputy Sher-
1T Frank Newell, accompanied by Mike Hoy,
found the nurderers in, Minneapolis. The
Younger brother, who is about Is years Of age,
has confessed to their guilt and described the
incidents OF the murder. 1t is said that the
father Of the murderers Is respectable farmer
Mt St Francis. The older brother w no seems
to have been most guilty, was soon to be mar
ried, and took this way to raise the necessary
funds!
The event has created the widest excitemen,
throughout Dakota county. The Diseased was
widely known and universally respected and
beloved Hewas quiet, gentle, kindly hearted
man, who was incapable OF evil and suspected
the entire community. II his murderers ial
into the hands CT his enraged neighbors they
will have short shrift and tight rope.
The state is, at this season, full OF wandering
tamps from all parts OF the country. Many o.
th.an are good industrious men, but there arr
others who are men OF desperate lives, mad.
still more so hv the hard times The sight o
money lntiamss them as the smell of blood in
flames a Wild beast Farmers can not be toe
careful at such at line. They should go well
armed and prepared for any emergency.
There is something horrible in the cool, de-
lilsrate way in which these human tigers
waited in their lair, all day long, for the time
to come that they might spring upon theil
prey Around them was one of the most
beautiful and peaceful scenes in the world: in
front Of them was the home Of their victim
his children playing around the door step, and
his young wife waiting his coming. Alas
he was never to cross thar threshold again il
life In plain sight of home and wife and
children he was brutally beaten to death. )
And now, if these murderers. confess, the
only penalty that can be inflicted upon them
under our law, is to be boarded at the expenss
of the tax payers in the state prison for life
They will Ia well-ied, comfortably clothed anC
with pleasant books 10 paad; they will simply
work for the state prison contractors instead o
for Themselves. Is this any compensation TO
that young life so eruely crushed out, for tn
sorrows OF thos. fathsrless children and tina
heart broken wifes
We have had too much NAV kishness aud
suueamisaness The bible is right when
saws: And whatsoever sheddeth mans blood
by man shall his blood be she'd" This ancien,
Primal law shohld not be averted by trick. =
Our Legislature should amend the existin
law As to deliberate murder for money.
independent Congressional Convention
The Central Committee Of the Independen
MARTY. Tor the inst Congressional District ,
Minnesota, hereby issue the following ca
for = district convention. We invite all Ind,
pendents, Democrats, Liberal Republicans, r.
nublicans and all others who are in favor,
r..,e ne %l,o rcv,eai II fha S,sscis, psSryu,