Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-04-11

leave, This was on Wednesday. She
to 60 within day or two,
or as soon as she could secure other
rooms. Prior to this, however, the
woman had purchased furniture for
the room of Merrill, Kcency Il Co.,
and had fitted it up in comfortable
style. On this occasion she displayed
considerable money, and during some
subsequent business transactions 9TH
ers saw her have plenty of money.
Among them was Bev. Graves, a me-
gro, who cleaned Mrs. Barrett's apart
ments, and who had some difficulty
with her in the settlement of their
accounts for the service.
THE MURDER
was evidently planned by some one
acquainted with the surroundings.
That plumber was the object was also
very evident. Tho foul deed had
been accomplished by means of some
sharp edged weapon--likc a Ratchet
or axe. The murder was discovered
about noon on Friday. The physi-
clans that testified at the inquisition
stated that it was probably commit
ted about one o'clock the night be-
fore. Mr.. Mcfarland discovered the
tragedy. Noticing that the curtains
of the room occupied by Mrs. Bar
rett remained down, and not hearing
any noise, he surmised that she was
sick and requiring assistance. I'm
locking door that led from his stor e
room up stairs he was Mortified to
find on the stairs evidences of a strug-
gle and great pools of blood. Hasti-
ly summoning the police, heTwent up
stairs and found the woman dead on
the floor, her head covered with
frightfnl wounds. She was clad on
ly in a chemise and had gaiter shoes,
unlaccd, upon her feet. The room
had been plundered of her clothing,
which was rich in quality, and of her
jewelry, consisting of valuable
watch and chain, brooches, earrings,
etc.
THE INQUEST
occupied several days. All the facts
asccrtainablc were thoroughly sifted
but nothing duplicating any known
person was revealed. Bev. Graves
was witness as well as several 9TH
err colored men, but nothing against
any of them was established. Nu-
merous arrests were made at different
times, and for twelve months one
man was Swallowed almost constant
ly in the belief that he.was the guilty
party. All was in vain and finally
the public came to remember the
tragedy as the mysterious murder,
and to think it would always remain
a mystery.
The keenest detectives from Chica-
| 90 and st Louis exhausted their in
genuity in attempting to unravel it..
This was the condition of affairs for
several weeks, or until the latter part
of September, when Bev. Graves was
arrested for arson. He was-held to
bail and in due time time tried and
sentenced to the Penitentiary for
three years. Prior to being removed
to Fl. Madison Graves confessed that
he had had something to do with dis
posing of the goods, directly charg-
ing the murder upon four colored
men, one of whom was Andy Smith.
They were arrested, but upon pre-
liminary examination were released.
Graves was sent TO the Penitentiary
and again there was lull of suspi-
cion until few months since.
OFFICER BRENNAN STRIKES A TRAIL.
Some weeks ago officer Brennan,
who had long suspected Graves and
who had been endeayoring to ferret
out the murder, went to TT. Madison
with prisoner, and while there
heard from one Winners, formerly a
barber in Des Moines, and who had
been incarcerated for shooting a man
at Red Oak, that lie had Seen Ella Bar
rett's watch in the possession of a
man from Des MONIES, and that
Graves was her murderer. Here was
the clue and industriously was it fol-
lowed. Brennan consulted with
Deputy Warden Reynolds and the
two visited Graves in his cell. At
first lie. denied everything, but finally
confessed to the preparation of the
horrid deed. Brennan has the con-
fession, witnessed by himself and
Deputy Reynolds, in his possession,
but the author Of this article saw it
three days after it was made and is
able to reproduce it substantially.
GRAVES CONFESSION.
Bev. was much affected at the time
he was giving the details Of the crime,
frequently bursting into tears. He
said that he had dispute with Mrs.
Barrett the day before the murder,
and feltangry with her. This feeling
of ill-will was shared by another col
ored man in the city, and they talked
over their grievances together. This
conversation resulted in Bev's. deter
mination TO "get even" Accordingly
he took into his confidence Henry
Red and Andy Smith. Thurs
day evening Smith called at Harris
saloon, in company with another col
ored man, and purchased some liquor
which they carried away in bottle,
proceeding to Reds House, where
the plot was arranged. They then
went down town to the corner of
Seventh and Walnut, where Mrs. Bar
rett lived, Bev. being armed with o
hatchct. Andy Smith stood at the
corner of the house keeping guard:
while Bev. and Red passed around in
the rear to the door opening on the
stairs leading up TO the fatal room.
Graves knocked. Mrs. Barrett came
down the stairs with light and in
quircd who was there. IA friend"
was the reply. She then partially
opened the door, and recognizing
Graves, screamed and attempted to
close the door, turning the key as she
did so. Graves placed his foot inside
and prevented the door from closing.
Mrs. Barrett then turned to flee up
stairs when Graves sank the Ratchet
in her head and she dropped to the
floor. He then, as he expressed it,
FINISHED the job" Himself and Red
carried the lifeless body up stairs and
laid it where it was found the follow
ing day-Graves bearing the head.
and Red the feet. They them plum
dered the room, taking the jewelry
and clothing, remaining there about
half an hour, Smith, meanwhile re-
naming on guard below. When the
bloody work was accomplished the
three went to Graves house, Bev.
throwing the hatcIet and empty
whisky bottle into Voodry's yard as
they passed.
ANOTHER WITNESS
Jus UCSH AOuuu w buOStdutldlC
statcment-a man now residing in
Des Moines, and whose testimony
will be used in the trial of the cause.
He will testify substantially as fol-
lows: He met Graves on Second street
three days after the murder. After
some conversation and after they had
drank some liquor, Bcv. took him to a
secluded place and confessed that he
had been implicated in the murder,
and had some Of the goods which he
wished witness to take away from
Des Moines. The latter consented,
and Graves went to get them. In q
short time he returned, accompanied
by Red. who had Ella Barrett's watch
and jcwelry. This he placed in the
hands Of the witness, who took them
to Grand Junction, Graves and Red
going to Boone, by way of the Mar
row Gauge road the same day. Soon
after arriving at Grand Junction he
was visited by Andy Smith, who said
that he had hnnn sent nv Red and