The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-01-17
RANDE, THE ASSASSIN.
A Sketch Of Rande Alias Charles C.
Scott.

A Sketch Of Rande Alias Charles C.
Scott.
The Fairfield Qowa) Ledger lgives the
following sketch of Rande, alias Charles
G. Scott, the notorious ellison and st. Elmo
assassin:
In the summer of 1850 Meichi Scott,
father of the accused, came to this city
from Classville, Washington County, Pa,
bringing with him family ofeight or ten
children, six of whom were boys and has
since made Fairfield his home. He is a
member of the M. E. Church, and during
his seventeen years residence in Fairfield
no one can say aught against him. While
he feels keenly the disgrace wrought by
the evil conduct of his son, it can be safely
said that the parents are free from blame,
and should be made to feel that the sym.
pathies of the community are with them in
this, the hour of their trouble. They have
heretofore borne their troubles in sorrow
and silence, acting as only parents could
toward an erring child, and now, in their
advanced age, it is difficult to tell the result
Of this last fearful blow.
Charley is now about 35 years of age,
having come to this city after his father
died, in 1850, when he was about % years
Of age. He is of medium height, rather
square in build, of very dark complexion
his eyes a sparkling black. He remained
here some time. but afterwards went to
Minnesota. During his stay there he was
married in Howard county. Remaining
in Minnesota for some years, he finally re-
turned to Fairfield. He did not stay long,
however, and just here there is a blank in
his life of which our reporter could learn
nothing.
He was next heard of at Abba, this
State, where he robbed store some time
early in 1872. A bill was found against
him by the Grand Jury, and he was admit.
ted to bail in the sum Of 81, ,000-his father
being his bondsman. While out on bail 9
trunk was stolen from the depot at Ottum
wa, and was found in his possession, so hs
was again arrested and lodged in Jail il
that city. On the 9th of April of that yea
he succeeded in making his escape from the
Ottumwa Jail by saving the steel bars o.
thecell. Thence he started to Fairfield
intending to remain here until the affai
had quieted down. Saturday night he ha,
become quite tired and fatigued from hi
journey, and appropriated mule belong
ing to farmer living some ten miles wef
of the city. During the night he lost the roa,
and let the mule take its own course, an,
landed about daylight at the house of tht
mules owner. The farmer and his so
captured him and turned him over to Shel
id Beck, of this county. The next morr
: ing during the absence of his guard for
few minutes, he almost succeeded in mah
ing his escape, having made a rope of hi
blanket and reaching the roof of the buile
ing. The Sheriff used his persuader an
induced him to come down from his loft
> perch, and he was turned over to the She,
i'll of Monroe county The Sheriff afte
: wards started with him on the train #
Abba, and while en- route Charley jum]
ed through window of the car while Il
train was in motion, and although heavi
ironed he made his escape.
From this time until the ellison murde
his wherebouts are unknown and it is qui
likely that during this period he was in Il
Indian Territory, as is charged. His re-
utation as skillful burglar and adrc
: thief has always been notorious, as has q
: 90 been his daredevil actions and earle
manner. 1t was not thought in this cit
that he had added murder to his 9th
crimes, until these recent development
which leave no doubt as to his identity.
He was noted for his shrewdness al
sagacity, and his frequent escapes from j,
could be accounted for by stating that
early life he learned the trade of a gu
smith, and was quite an expert mechan
r Owing to the peculiar formation of |
= limbs it was impossible to keep irons
> him when he objected to them. He is
= skillful penman, writing beautiful hal
and his skill with the pen may devel
other crimes which he has committed.
different times he had studied law a
|. medicine, at one time intending to pr
tice the former, and we hear il stated Ii
he taught :penmanship, and occasiona
~ preached. He speaks, reads and wri
=. German. talks in Swedish quite fueut
IN and has pretty good idea of French. La
and Greek, is splendid mathematical
=. and possesses wonderful memory.