Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-07-20
A BROTHERS CRIME.
The Ohio Bcrgia-.A Brother PoisonS MS
Brothers. Family y--Thirteen Persons Eat
Arsenic.


Brothers Family Thirteen Persons Eat
Arsenic.
One of the most terrible tragedies
that have made conspicuous the crimi-
nal annals OF northern Ohio for the last
few years took place in Orange town
ship, Hancock county. This tragedy
was the poisoning of thirteen persons,
members of the families of two brothers
and a nephew, by Isaac B. Charles,
resident of Ada, and late city treasurer
of Ada, man who has up to short
period borne an excellent reputation,
and known as an honorable man and
valued citizen. But developments which
have been made since the tragedy make
him out to be fiend incarnate, with
heart so black and whose deeds are 80
damnable as to make other fends and
their deeds as driven snow in his pres
encs.
In order to observe proper sequence
of events it will be necessary, says the
Toledo Commercial, in writing OF the
affair, to 60 back several years IN the
narrative. Isaac Charles, Sr., was one
of the old settlers of Allen county, and
in the course of lifetime OF frugallty,
hard labor and energy amassed property
valued in the aggregate at $40, 600. He
had four sons, Isaac R., Elijah, John,
and another older than all three, who
died good many years ago, leaving q
boy, Thomas Charles, who was reared
by his grandparents. The boys, as they
grew to manhood, married, and leaving
the paternal roof, and settling-Elijah
and John in Hancock county and Isaac
in Hardin county, all within short dis
tance of the homestead-in the same
manner as had their father, acquired
each a moderate amount of property.
The old folks were consistent church
members, and the children likewise be-
came members of religious organiza-
tions. Isaac, 80 far as is known to the
outer world, was an upright man until
some two or three years ago. He was
not 80 steady in his habits OF business
as his brothers, and was possessed OF q
desire for speculation, which he INDUCED
to some extent, and to his detriment
financially. At the time mentioned he
became inextricably involved in debt,
and in his desperation gave his notes
for various amounts, aggregating, it is
said, $4,000, and forged his fathers
name as an Endorsement. This became
known in the course of time to the
holder of note for 81, 500 and he, it is
supposed, informed the father of his
sons rascality. At any rate, the two
had a meeting, and stormy scene en-
sued; and the forged note was replaced
with one bearing genuine signature.
Shortly after, about the time that the
other forged notes were supposed to be
approaching maturity, one night a shot
was fred into the window of the old
mans house. by some one evidently In
tent on killing him, and he escaped death
by the narrowest chance. The occur
renee Was a nine days wonder, as the
old man hadn't an enemy in the world,
it was supposed. It is now asserted that
on that day Isaac procured revolver in
hardware store in Ada, saying he was
going on q journey, and would need such
an instrument. That night he was alb
sent from home, and the next day he re-
turned the weapon, declaring that he
had changed his mind.
About this time Isaac again visited his
father to talk over the affair Of the note,
and they repaired to a barn together.
Shortly after he returned and reported
that his father had been killed by
horse.
The old gentleman was found lying in
the barn senseless, with an ugly wound
in the back of his head. He lived few
days, but never recovered sufficient con-
seriousness to tell how he was hurt.
Strange to say, the old lady was taken
suddenly and violently i'll, with grief, il
was said, and she rapidly declined and
died, and was buried with her husband.
These events excited no comments at
the time, Isaac's story of the death OF
his aged parents being accredited as true
by his brothers and the community al
large.
But a more startling episode was YET
n store for this terribly fated family.
Isaac had in his household young girl,
some sixteen or seventeen years old, and
of sudden she was sent away to Colum'
bus. For what reason does not appear
but it is now said in order that an abor
tion might be performed.
During her absence Isaac's Wife and
child were suddenly taken i'll, and after
a very brief sickness they went down
into the grave to join the aged couple
who so shortly before had departed this
life so suddenly. Within six months o.
his wife's death Isaac married his ser
want girl. Still the community was no
aroused.
In the meantime Isaac had sought
and obtained from the probate court ot
Allen county the appointment OF him
self as the administrator Of his father:
estate, and proceeded to settle up hi
affairs. The old gentleman had but few
personal debts, and the only paper ht
had standing out was note given fol
money with which the Methodists IL
his neighborhood had built church
and which was secured by mortgage
on the property. In the course OF
year it became apparent that Isaac wa
administering the estate to his owl
advantage. None of the taxes were paid
and it was ascertained that he had beer
pledging the assets of the estate for hi
personal debts. Six months ago, on pc
tltion of his brother, Isaac was removed
from the office and Mr.. Isaac Thompson
of Ada, appointed administrator. H'
found that his predecessor had not onl.
squandered his own portion of the es
tate, but the taxes were unpaid, and al
tho oeeota bod disanDeared ALI OF thl