Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-08-01
HoRRrsrE AFFAIR.
AfoberIy MOL Headlight.

Hns 80
Monday evening between the hours
Of. B and 9 o'clock, one Of the most
horrible affairs it has ever been our
duty to chronicle, took place u few
miles north Of this city, in which three
lives have been taken by one of the
most atrOcious murderers allowed to
walk the earth.
The murdcrer's name is IIade
Brown, is a young married man Of
not more than 90 years of age, and is
tho son of one "ISill Brown" who is
notorious throughout this aud adjoin-
ing counties.
He is the son-in-law Of DIR. Parish,
an honorable and respected citizen
living in the vicinity of Cairo, this
county.
Probably l6 or Is months ago
Brown ran away with and married
DR.. Parish's daughter, then young
girl Of not more than 16 or II years
Of age. The parents were greatly out
ragged at this proceedings, but up to
only few months ago made no re-
monstrance, but allowed Brown and
his wife to live on aud cultivate q
farm near the homestead. As repre-
sented to us it was from the begin
ming an unhappy home to the young
couple.
Time rolled on and the i'll feeling
between the parties became worse
and worse until unbearable by the
wife, who went to her protector of
childhood, and made complaint. Ev-
cry Imaginable means were taken by
the parents to quell the disturbance
and create harmony, but without any
good effect, as matters only gre W
worse. Something must be done,
thought the father, to protect his
child, so last Saturday, while Brown
was away attending picnic, he went
with spring wagon to Browns
house, got his child and removed her
to the home of his son in Howard
county.
After Browns return he soon learn
ed what had occurred, and being SO
enraged vowed to have revenge, by
taking the lives of all who were like
ly to be implicated in breaking up
his home.
SO accordingly he armed himself
and awaited the return of DIR. Parish,
who passed through this city yester-
day. with younger daughter, on his
way home. Brown was in watching
for him and after he had left the
daughter at another son-in laws, and
was within few miles of his home,
he was met by Brown, who at once
opened fire on him, the balls taking
effect in the head and body. DR.. Par
ish was taken to the nearest farm
house, that of Squire Culp. Medical
aid was summoned, and a young man
sent after Mrs. Parish. 1t seems
that Brown had fingered near the
spot where the murder was commit |
ted, in waiting for Mrs. Parish, and
when the young man was returning |
to the scene of the first murder, with
the wife Of the unfortunate man,
Brown shot her killing her instantly.
The young man, Mr.. Annex, was also |
shot BY him, but il is thought he will |
recover
Brown then went home and at
tempted to dispose of his household
effects, to the neighbors-offering to
sell COW for IS. Not being success
full he went to the home of his moth
err, with the express intention of kill
ing her and his step-father, all for no
other reason than that they had not
approved of his conduct in former
years But, fortunately for them,
they were both absent from home
He then made threats that there was
three other men in the immediate
neighborhood that he intended to kill
and he stated that when he died he
would die where his father had-in
the same spot. He then fed and q
possee Of the neighbors, as soon as
they could be collected, started in
pursuit Of him and are still hunting
for him.
1t is the general opinion that he
has gone to Howard county, where he
has relatives, and where his wife is
stopping, for the express intention of
killing her.
The facts, as above related, we
learn from Mr.. I. III. Newton, one OIL
the most reliable men in that vicinity.
He ia yet in search for Brown, in COM
pany with many others from that
neighborhood, who are determined
to have revenge for their friends and
neighbors. Brown has heretofore been
looked upon as dangerous charac-
ter. kilograms have been sent to
the authorities of all towns in every
direction. 1t is to be hoped that he
will be captured and brought to JUS
tice