Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-01-28
A SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

AsHocMHG TRAGEDY.
Mrs. Sarah J. smith, Murdered and Out.
ragged by a Half.Breed Indian.
Council Bluffs Nonpareil, 25th.
The most shocking crime ever committed
in this community occurred Yesterday, and
has caused . thrill of horror and intense in
dignation to pervade the public mind. Mrs.
Sarah j. Smith, the wife Of Albert G. Smith,
who resides on Mr.. A. s. Bonham's place,
inside of the corporate limits of the city,
was cruelty murdered and her person after
wards violated in a shameful manner. The
news Of the terrible affair was first brought
to police headquarters by Mr.. Y~ounghusband,
and it rapidly spread by word Of mouth
until nearly everybody was aware of what
had happened. Coroner FauI at once en-
pannelled a jury consisting of John Clau-
sen, Hugh Reynolds and M. Able, who at
once proceeded to the scene of the murder.
They were followed by large number of
citizens who were anxious to. learn
the real facts in the case at as early a mo-
ment as possible. Upon their arrival
there they found the murdered woman ly-
ing In the cellar with her throat cut from
ear to ear. The cash was q frightful one. Both
jugular veins were severed and also the
wtndpipe. Her body was lying face up
wards with her head resting on q little hay
that had been spread over q pile of turnips.
The situation Of the body plainly indi-
Gated that after her throat was cut the fen.
dish purpose of the villain had been &C.
%complished. The particulars of the tragedy
as CLEANED from parties who were first in.
formed Of the occurrence are US follows: 1t
appears that Mr.. Smith has had in his EN-.
ploy during the past two months a half
breed Indian named Charles Fisher, and
that Mr.. Smith left him at the farm yseter.
day while he and the two eldest children,
one a boy aged IL and the other 10 years,
residing on that side. He left home
about seven o'clock n his wife and three
children remained at home. The oldest of
the three was only eight years If age and he
states in a clear, straightforward manner
that circumstance Immediately proceeding
and following the murder, which leaves
scarcely a doubt that the deed was commit
ted by the half-breed. He states that his
mother prepared the dinner, and they all sat
down to the table, and that he and his next
younger brother, aged six years, got through
first and went out in the barn yard to play.
When he left the room his mother and
Charles Fisher we're still eating, and that
was the last he saw Of him or his mother
until he found her dead.
He thinks that his brother ard himself
had been out Of the house about an hour
when they returned. Not sealing her in any
Of the rooms they called her, and shortly
afterwards heard their infant brother, aged
thirteen months, crying. They followed
the sound which came from the cellar.
This part of the premise is not underneath
the house, but is az excavation In the point
Of the hill adjoining the building with a
door opening into it from one Of the rooms.
When the lads came to the Coo it was
closed, and on pushing 1t open the
frightful scene was disclosed. The
mother was %lifeless. and the little
child sat upon her dead body with it.
clothes sprinkled over with blood. As email
as they we're they realized what had been
done and ran over to Mr.. Younghusbands,
who resides near by, and told the family
that their mother had been killed. They
had just finished dinner and Mr.. Bonham
happened to be present. Without waiting a
moment that gentleman and Mr.. Young
husband rushed over to find that what had
been told them was true. The baby was
still there crying and Mr.. Bonham tenderly
picked it up and carried it to another room.
The cellar was somewhat dark and a light
was then procured to enable them to see Just
the situation of affairs. When this was I'M
derstood the next thing was to find Fisher,
but he was gone. Then Mr.. Younghusband
came in as above stated. Ittook but a short
time for the people to fully comprehend the
enormity that had been committed and ia
bestir themselves to effect, if possible, the
capture Of the iend in human shape who
had thus stricken down a defencelesa
woman and added to it crime which under
the circumstances has caused the whole com.
munity without distinction of class to shud.
der and shrink from its contemplation with
feelings Of intense horror. Mr.. Smith was
telegraphed to promptly and he fastened
over. On his arrival at the home which
he had left a few hours before full of bright.
ness and joy, the scene was affecting in the
extreme and tears were seen rolling down
the cheeks of many a stalwart man. 1t was
a terrible blow and seemed to almost unset
tie his reason. Language is barren 10 ex-
press the intense agitation of his mind. His
wife wa a very estimable lady. In Ter
manners she was modest and retiring and
was warmly devoted to her family. In ap-
pearance abe was rather handsome, and her
features after dead Notwithstanding the ter
rible ordeal through which she had passed
we're still beautiful. She wa about thirty
three years of age, and leaves FIVE children
motherless, the oldest twelve and the young
est thirteen months.
HARDWARE.