The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-06-28
WHOLESALE MURDER.
Three Persons Chopped to Death
Near Logan.
The Murderers Captnred-Fears that
They VIII be Lynched.


CINCINNATI, June 24.--0ne Of the most
atrocious crimes ever perpetrated in
Ohio was the murder in this county, near
the village Gore, about seven miles from
Logan, of John Weldon, his widowed sis
ter. Mrs. Susan McClure, and Miss Nam
cy Hite, a daughter of Mrs. McClurg by a
former husband. The murders are now
in jail, One of them, William Terrell.
made a confession to-day which throws
the crime on to one Joseph King. King
denies any knowledge ofthe crime. The
prevailing opinion is that Terrell did most
of the horrible work. The murdered
man was thrifty farmer, and 1t was
generally supposed he had money about
the house, Terrell says they met him
about half mile from his house, and
that King without any warning walked
up and deliberately shot him in the
bowels. Then ensued tussle, during
which King shot him in the breast once,
and twice in the neck. The victim picked
up an old corn cutter and threw 1t at
King seized the corn cutter and struck
the old man over the head, cleaving the
skull, and then finished his work with q
club. They then went to small stream
and washed their hands, and then to the
house. King took an axe from the porch
and went into the house and presently
came out out with the old lady. They
walked together q moment, when with
out warning he struck her with an ak
across the head, nearly cutting it in
twain. She fell and he struck her across
the neck, severing the juglar vein. He
then ran into the house and the young
lady, seeing the CORY and blood-besmared
weapon, ran out of the front door. The
brute pursued her and overlook her be-
fore she had taken many steps, and dealt
her blow upon the shoulder, sinking
the ak to the handle. This brought her
to the ground and he struck her on the
back of the head splitting it wide open.
He agin lifted his weapon and struck her
across the neck, almost severing her
head from the body. He then threw the
ak down by the victim, and probably
went into the house TO find the money.
When arrested they had about Sll on
their persons. The excitement is intense.
About 800 people have gathered about
the premises, and fears are entertained
that there will be an attempt to night to
take the prisoners from jail and lynch
them, The militia are under arms and
lot of extra police have been sworn in.
The latest developments go to show
that King was not concerned, in this
hellish crime. He is known to have been
in Logan at 5 o'clock the same night.
Terrell says the murder was committed
between and o'clock in the evening.
Late this evening numerous small groups
of fmen were seen quietly talking on the
streets of Logan, including men from diff
ferent parts of the county. Trouble is
evidently brewing.
LOGAN, June 25.- The four who are ar
rested on suspicion of being implicated in
the triple murder of Mr.. Weldon, Mrs,
McCurg and Miss Hite were taken to
Lancaster during last night on account Of
fears that the enraged people from the
neighborhood of the murderer would
come to town and lynch them. Rumors
were prevalent on the streets that exten.
sive preparations were being made and
the mob was ganizing for that purpose;
and the condition ofthe minds Of many
of the people, as shown by their words
and actions at the time of the post NOR
tenn examination and the burial of the
victims, was sufficient to alarm not only
the people of the town, but the officers.
To-day everything is quiet, and appa-
rently no excitement prevails,
The Coroner's jury have not yet con-
cluded their inquire, which is now in
progress. Grom the chacter of the men
composing the jury, / think the inyesti-
CATION will be through and complete
They are determined to ascertain the
guilty parties, if possible, and if not al
ready in custody, to place them under
arrest.
William Terrill, one of the parties tln-
der arrest. has made several statements,
all admitting that he was present and
saw the deed, but denying that he had
any hand in the act Many parts Of his
story are unreasonable, and it is thought
he was the only party to it; and yet it is
hard to believe that one man could have
done all.
Joe King, who Terrill says did the kill
ing, utterly denies being there, and AYERS
that he was in Logan.