The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-11-17
A MONROE COUNTY HORROR. \

The man tflcu 10, anu INaily olu SCH inc WlOI'
outfit at such a ruinous price as to excite tho
suspicion of the police and he was arrested
and lodged in the calaboose
\ A few days later officers from Monroe coun
Ity, H., came to st. Louis in search of mar
named Carl Strahl, whom they accused OF !
double murder near Columbia, in that county
lice introduced the Illinois officers to thcil
man Engeler who was at once identified as the
murderer
The persons murdered were a man named
GGtz and his wife, living in a cabin on Column
bia bottom about four miles from Columbia
Goctz was found in the woods, some distance
from his house. and Mrs Getz was found dead
| in the house. As Strahl had been last seen
with Gptz he was at once suspected and as
the wagon, mules, &c, he was found with III
st. Louis were fully identified as the property
of Gmtz ofcourse there was no further doubt
as to Strahl's guilt.
Strahl was taken by the Illinois officers back
to Monroe county, and on the way he agreed to
show where he had hidden the body Of Grn,
| (Which had not yet been ioundy But while on
the way to the spot, accompanied by the Oil
parties who preceded them had already found
the body. An inquest was then held, and to
the coroner Strahl made the following comics
sion:
! was out hunting with Henry Goetz on
last Sunday afternoon, in the woods near ms
house. While walking along he told me that
had better 20 back to Philip Stumpif's and
make it all right about the money and the
boots that stole refused to 90 and he said
he would make me | watched my chance
and snatching his rifle ran away with it. He
followed me, and ran across the creek. As
he reached the bank drew up his rifle, and
aiming it at him, said "Stand back or |
will shoot YOU" He turned around, when
fired and shot him dead. | came across the
creek after the shooting and dragged the body
to where il was found to-day. | tried to cover
itup with leaves and weeds | took Goctz's
bullet pouch and powder flask and rifle with
me. / went over to my shanty, but did not
30 in. This was at 3 o'clock in the evening
After a little ! went up to GOctz's house and
knocked at the door. Mrs. Goetz came to
the door and said, What do you want"'
| said to her | want all the money
that you have got in the house. She said ::
Il have no money; we are very poor, and III
there is any money he has got it," | then
said II Just killed a man while ago, and
you shall not live to tell on me" She scream.
ed and ran into the house followed and
grabbed her, and drew her out into the yard.
! let her 20 to pick up the AK from the wood
nil bn az In "a hnngp |
her with the Ak Just as she was going through
the door She fell down and groaned "A little,
then struck her again. She groaned onceI
more | took her by one arm and one foot and
dragged her to the cellar door and threw herr
in. I killed her because | was afraid sheI
would find out about my killing Goetz and
tell on me- | waited around in the woods
Tor awhile and then | hitched up Goetz'st
mules 10 his wagon PIT has irnuk. rific. I'm
brella and clothing into il, hitched one hcllerI
behind, and then went to Carondelet; sofa
the heifer there TO butcher named hlach, Tor
$12; after that | went to ST. Louis and tried tot
sell the team: / sold the team and was arrested,
but was let go; got 1875 cash down. lett
$40 of the money in the hands OF man byl
the name of Pader. am twentyfonr years OF
age, and came from Canton Aran. Burgan,
Switzerland | have been two years in this
country Mr.. Goeiz never gave me cause to-
hurt him, and would not have injured him
if he had not wanted me to go back to Stumpii s.
I killed Mrs, Goetz between six and seven
O'Clock in the evening.
Strahl having finished his confession, and
il having been reduced TO writing, he was
asked to sign it, which he did. As he straight,
ened up, instantly-like ilash-a rope was
thrown over his neck and dozen voices cried
hoarsely "away with him" Fifty men had
hold of the rope, Strahl was jerked from his
feet and dragged on the ground little way,
de gained his feet and ran TO escape the pres.
sure Of tie moose, which choked him. He
gaspcd and fell again. The briers tore his
flesh 4 little clearing was reached Have
you anything to say before you dic"' said the
spokesman of the party MS he rc.adjpstcd the
moose Strahl made no reply, lie was as one
dead then He stood upon his feet but there
was no reason in his eyes. His tongue refused
its office. Up with him. said the Spokcs
man, and fifty pair of Drowned and toilstained
hands pulled the rope which left Carl Strahl
dangling in the air. There was a single yell
of triumph and that was all. There was a
slight nervous twitching Of the hands Of the
hanging man, and the legs drew up twice, but
there was no movement after five minutes, and
the pulse had then ceased TO beat,
Twomcn, prepared for the work with shovels
dug shallow grave under the shadow of the
gallows tree The body was cut down and
placed in It, and the earth pressed down 10y
the feet Of the bys,a1dcrs. 4 man jumped
on the grave and said, Let this be lesson Il
farmers who will refuse to pay the price thai
is right for labor, who turn honest men who
are willing Ia work from their door and civ,
shelter 10 WORTHLESS, rrampS who work for thcir
lboarl,'
The simple brother of Henry Goctz cam'
forward and jumped madly on the grave, rain
mg invcctyc upon it, silent occupant in