The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-09
THE YOST MURDER.
The Mysterious Tragedy In the Johustown
Bank -Prcpnring for the Trial.
IA. Al a

The deep and absorbing interest which
attached to tue murder Of Edward YOst, at
Johnstown. nearly one year ago, has been re-
Nived In view of the approaching trial OF his
alleged murderer. the prenminaries Of which
commence IN that village tomorrow. As then.
the "details OF the crime are again the CHIEF
topic OF conversation. and the speculattons tn
dulRed In as to the guilt or Innocence Of Charles
Frederick Smith. now under arrest Us the perpe-
traitor OF the crime. are many aud vlriDus.
The murdered man, Edward Yost, was
brotner-in-law Of David Hays, member of the
house stood on the main street OF the village,
wnile immedi tey adjoining was the meat mar
ket kept 10y Iost. VINO was butcher. fost was a
bachelor, man about thirty i've years of age
and at nght slept IN the bank, IN small rosm
immedia. civ in rear Of the bank, which h q but
one wy OF tngress or egress, through door
opening from the banking room. Yost had a
large dog; who STAYED IN the olnk with him at
1875, Yost was last seen alive ny hts brother
John j. Yost. aud David Aiken OF saf atoga.
That evening, IN their company, he bad visited
a theatrical performance, stopped In several
places afterward, FIN llv bringing up at the Sir
William johnson House. After a short time
minutes to twelve O'Clock, took his leave, his
brother and Aiken remaining at the hotel that
About III O'Clock the next morning a man
passing along the main street noticed smoke
issuing from the Ia king house, ana "a such
sign was unusual he made closer examination
and be anne convinced that a Ore was In progress
In the interior. he alarm was given and n
large crowd wda speedily attracted To the scene.
As the door was found locked and everything
seemed secure, David Hays, senior member OF
the bank, was sent for and soon arrived on the
spot. A window was then opened to allow the
smoke to escape, ana MIR. HAYS, not having anv
KEY to the Yale lock on the door, entered 10y the
window and then opened the door. The nre was
found To be located In the little sleeDipg room
on the bank, the door Of which was drawn TO.
On. opening 1t an odor OF burning flesh
and clothing was emitted so powerful as
to eicken those VINO making the
investigation. Burning clothing was scat
tered about, AMI the floor burned
through In one or two places. The anxious in
was Where's Edf" who was well known and a
general fivOrte throughout the village. Tue in
quiry was soon answered Tor on cropping about
on the floor MT. HAYS seized human limo, and
drawing II forth he exclaimed, My God, this IL
Ed" 1t was indeed Tost, but 80 horribly
scared and disngured by the nre as to DO almost
unrecognZaDle.
A singular fact In connection with the dlscov-
change his clothing after extinguishing the fire,
on returning found the key OF the Yale lock in
his pocket. 1t Is supposed that IL was slipped
In there 10y the perpetrator or the crime or a
confederate, but whoever the one was he re-
mains undiscovered TO thls day. Coroner
Cameron proceeded to hold an inquest on
the remains few hours after the discovery,
and one week later eight OF the Jury rendered a
rdict that Edward Yost came to his death
at the inds Of &. Fred. Smith and Others un-
known" while the remainder signed u verd let
10 the effect that death was caused by some
person or persons unknown To the Jury.
Discoveries Connected with the Yost Murder.
JoHHsrowS, Feb. 81 here Is great excite
ment here the facing OF the watch belonging to
the late murdered Edward YOst in large tank IN the
house this afternoon together with the pistol used,
tot were h chArged anu the remaining balls
In slze TO hose found In iosts mead How tue pistol