The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-06-23
The Murder of Miss STREET..


FURTHER PARTICULARS.
The murder of Miss Almira STREET. by
Christian klotz, which occurred on Thursday
morning, June 18th, is still the absorbing
topic of conversation, and those who were
at the scene of the murder on the day it oc.
cured, are compelled to tell over and over
again all they saw and heard.
TIE DWELLING OF MIR. ROGER STREET.,
the father of the murdered girl, is situated
midway between Pylesviie and Clermont
Mills, about one mile from the latter place
1t is stone house, fronting the south, and
has an addition at the east end, consisting of
u one-story frame building, under which is q
basement opening into the front yard, while
the only entrance to the main cellar is reach
ed by doorway in the foundation in the
main building, between that and the addi-
ton.
TIE BOY MURDERER.
Christian Klolz was II years of age on the
9th of last month, and was adopted upon in
denture from the House of Refuge Septem-
ter 9th, 1872, by Mr.. Street,. He is described
us large, well developed youth, and when
first introduced into Mr.. Streets family was
observed to be of very sulky, surly dispo-
sition, inclined to be impertincnt, and al
though tolerably good laborcr showed II
disposition TO shirll his duties and was gene
rally very reticcnt. Miss Almira Street,, the
murdered girl held no communication with
him on account of his naturally disagreeable
and impairment manner. 1t is stated he was
sent to the House of Refuge !or threatening
TO take the life of his grandfather. The lat
er and brother IF the murderer live in
| k,ugt Baltimore.
THE MURDER.
On Thursday morning Mr. STREET. rose
.arly aud called klotZ. He then took the
axe, cut some kindlng wood, leaving the
IKE near the wood pile, which was close to
he cellar entrance, lie kindlcd the fire, OBJ
ierving KlolZ in the meantime go to the
ipring for water, and afterwards start with
| lie milk pals to the barn yard. Mr.. Street,,
,fter calling his daughter Almira, started in
company with Il colored boy for the farm of
Mr.. Evans Rogers, adjoining his own, in
search of n lost sheep Shortly afterwards
Mrs STREET. came down stairs, and not seeing
her daughter in the kitchen, went around TO
the cellar. Upon reaching it she was horror
stricken TO observe the PROSTATE form of her
! laughter lying face downwarls with her
ect toward the entrance of the cellar. She
vent to her and upon closer examination
saw several deep wounds upon her head, and
the head itself almost entirely severed from
lhe body, being connected merely by the
windpipe and several small ligatures of flesh.
Nearly paralyzcd with grief, the terrified
mother fled from the horrible scene to the
porch above, screaming, "Murderw While
here she was approached by Klolz, who in
qured what was the matter. She informed
him of the CHASTITY spectacle which she had
Just witnessed, and he ut once ran off
in search of Mr.. Street,. Meeting that gen
tlenan, who was returning with the colOred
boy, Sam, about a,half mile from the house,
he Immediately informed Mr.. Street, that
zone of his daughters was lying murdered i'm
the cellar, and that he had seen strange
negro leave the house and hasten across the
fields" The agonizcd father said he knew
ntuitivcly that the statement was true and
that the boy was the murderer. Leaving the
colored man and boy he hurried in the direc
ton of the house, and was soon further
alarmed by hearing the screams of his wife,
whom he found upon the porch, almost
crazed with grief and scarcely able to OK.
plain to her husband the cause ofthe tumult.
Guided by her signs and the information
given him by Klolz, Mr.. STREET. ran to the
cellar, and discovered the liicless corpse of
his daughter. After Mr. S S departure KIoiz
said to the negro, II reckon they don't think
| done it," They also fastened To the house,
where Klotz offered Mr.. S. his services in
order to alarm the neighbors. Mr.. STREET.
dispatched both Klotz and the negro on the
GRAND, the former notifying Mr. George
Beaver and the latter Mr.. John Joshua
STREET., distant relative of the family, Mr..
Beaver, upon receiving the startling news,
sent Klotz for Dr. T. b. Hayward, and i'm
mediately repaired TO the house ofthe afflct.
nd Il Int al oil
doctor to Clermont Mills on an GRAND and
while there he told several persons of the
murder. Upon arrival at the house Mr.. John
Joshua Street, inquired of Mr.. Street, who
could have done it, and received the reply,
"The boy did it," The former, accompanied
by Mr.. Richard F. Harkins, proceeded in
search of Klotz whom they met returning,
and tied his hands behind him with a strap
and conducted him 10 the house. BY this
time the entire neighborhood was aroused and
GROUPS OF EXCITED MEN
congregated in and around the house, and
threats of vengeance against The perpeirator
of the diabolical deed were uttered.
THE INQUEST.
Justice DGvoc was sent for and summon
ell the following jury: DR.. Hayward, fore
man; j. J. Street,, Thomas III. Street,, Thos.
Butler, George Beaver, George w. Beaver,
VIM. Calder, VIM. Watkins, Jas. r. STREET.,
Lewis Quinlan, John Amberman and Rich.
ard F. Harkins, who examined all the wit
nesses in the case. Klotz refused to testify,
which confirmed The suspicious of his guilt.
In the meantime Klotz, still securely bound,
was retained in custody and was tue subject
of general anathemas. The crowd had du-
ring the inquest increased to the number of
sixty or seyenty-fi and from rational men
were transformed into perfect devils. Cries of
Hang him 2' Hang himp filled the air,
and it was with difficulty that the Infatuated |
men could be restrained by the few whose
better judgment controlled their feelings
The scene at this point was fearful in the |
extreme. On the one hand the boy, sur
rounded by a few law abiding men, on the
other the weeping and aged parents, sup. |
ported by mob of enraged persons, who |