River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-01-13
A HAIR-BREADTIf ESCAPE.

In the year 1871, the now flourishing
city of Steubenville, Ohio. was a very
small place. It's population was known
for its quiet and orderly character, and
there was not single liquor saloon in
the place. Crime was very rare, and the
Circuit Judges often had occasion to con.
graduate the people upon not having a
single criminal case upon their calendar.
In consequence there was intense ex-
element when, at an early hour on the
morning OF the 18th of November, in the
aforementioned year, the report reached
the place that the corpse of a man had
been found in the woods within a hundred
yards Of the last house OF the town, and
close to the Pittsburg turnpike, with
every indication that an atrocious muir.
der had been committed. The sheriff,
accompanied by some fifty citizens, i'm
mediately FASTENED to the spot indicated
to him by the person that had discovered
the remains Of the murdered man. That
person was discrepit old woman. who
had gone out to gather brush-wood. No
one would have suspected ner, under any
circumstances, Of having had any thing to
do with the bloody deed, and, beside, she
manifested such unfeigned horror in des-
cribing what she had seen at the dismal
spot in the woods that she was unhesita.
tingly allowed to 60 about her business.
Upon arriving at the scene of the sup
posed murder, the sheriff and his COM
panions saw at glance that terrible
crime had been committed. The dead
man was covered all over with frozen gore
and seven wounds, apparently inflicted
with sharp knife. were found upon his
body. HIS head was still covered with a
nice felt hat. His face presented a most
ghast!y aspect. A terrible cash extend
cd from the left temple to the right jaw.
Another cash was in the forehead. The
victim WAS dressed in substantial fur
coat. lie was apparently forty-two years
old. When his pockets were examined
they we're found to be entirely empty.
But close to the body was found an old
fashioned wallet. IL was still open, as il
its contents had been taken from it, as il
he who had emptied it had afterward
thrown it away.
At distance Of about ten yards from
the corpse, near an old log, lay peculiar.
shaped fur cap. 1t could not have belong
ed to the murdered man, Tor, as we have
said before, he had his hat on his head.
The ground was covered with snow,
and there were q number of light foot
prints visible in it. These were the only
indications Of the perpetrator of the hor-
rible crime.
The Coroner was sent for, and until
his arrival the Sheriff and his companions
went to the Ohio Tavern, which was
situated at no great distance from the
scene Of the murder.
When the Sheriff told the landlord
about the murder, and described to him
the appearance Of the corpse, the land
lord excla' med at once.
Great God that poor fellow cannot
be any body else than Mr.. Saurmis. the
Pittsburg cattle dealer. lie was here last
night and took supper with another man
from Pittsburg, whose name. ] believe,
was Belson or Wilson, and who rode on
toward Plttsbgrg Immediately after they
had left the tab c. Mr.. Sammis sat III
the front room with me and Jack Capon
for an hour yet, when the two went out
together
Jack Capon was dissolute but very
good natured fellow. about thirty years
old, who had decided aversion to work
and a still stronger prediction for strong
drink.
lie could not get any whisky at Steu
benyille, and hence he often walked ioI
miles and miles in order 20 obtain "we'
drop Of whisky. When he was success
'ful he returned with his hat full Of bricks
to steubenylle, where he had frequently
been punished by the esquire" for intoS'
ication, with fines and Imprisonment
Still, everybody liked him because he hac
an excellent most useful heart, aud neyel
forgot favor done him.
what sort Of hat did Capon wear las
night 7" asked the sheriff.
"Why, no hat, but fur cap-made 0
beaver skin-with two ear covers.