Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-07-18
An Accused Man Vindicated.

About the middle of January last an
individual giving the name of William
McKinsey came to the residence of
Thomas l.. Hahn, in Madison Township,
few miles out from Polk City, and en-
tered into contract to work for Hahn.
Shortly after this time-three days, we
boiOvo, MoKineoJ disopponrUu, and
Hahn, who lived in secluded place,
would not or could not explain the dis
appearance of his workman. The sus-
picion of neighbors was aroused, and
finally the excitement became so great
as to lead TO information being filed be-
fore Sheriff Lendrum, who investigated
the matter, and was of the opinion that
something mysterious, if not criminal,
was involved in the matter. The Sheriff
found Hahn at work in the timber some
distance from his residence, and when
questioned concerning McKinsey he
turned deathly pale, and was so con-
fused as to be unable to make any in
telligible reply fer some time, when he
stated to the Sheriff that he and Nc
Kinsey had spent the evening previous
to the disappearance playing euchre,
and during the game McKinsey laid
down his hand and commenced to pack
his clothes, announcing his determina-
ton to leave the house, but refused to
say where he was going. This was at
nearly midnight, and Hahn and his wife
thought to watch where he went, but
heard no footballs after getting short
distance from the house. McKinsey
had bargained to work for a year with
Hahn, and gave no reason for breaking
his contract.
After securing this information from
Hahn in the timber, the Sheriff thought
to visit Hahn's house, and interview
the wife before Hahn could see her,
and thus find out if their stories in re-
lation to the matter agreed. On get
ting in sight of the house, Lendrum
saw Hahn driving at a furious rate from
another direction, but the Sheriff
reached the house in time to elicit
enough from Mrs. Hahn to show Sc
rious difference in the stories told by
husband and wife. She stated that it
was shortly after dark that McKinsey
had left the house, and after answering
few other questions, the husband
came in, and she referred all interroga-
tories to him, refusing to answer any
herself. After that both parties seemed
very reluctant to talk about the matter,
either to officers or neighbors. Subse-
quently correspondence with parties in
Missouri elected the information that
McKinsey's parents lived there, but
that he had been absent from home for
three years, and no knowledge had been
had of his whereabouts till he went to
Madison Township.
Some time afterward Hahn came in
TO the Register Office and had inserted
an advertisement offering Il reward of
twenty-five dollars for any information
in regard to McKinsey, but this was re-
garded at the time as blind, measures
having been then taken for his prose-
cution.
On the goth of March Hahn was
brought on trial before Squire HelprOn,
at Polk City, and Mr.. @. Bowen, of this
city, his attorney, secured a change of
venue to another Justice. Several wit
nesses were examined, and some very
damaging circumstantial evidence
against the defendant was adduced. 1t
was proved that McKinsey had worked
for Hahn for some time. and that he
disappeared on the evening of Jan. 10;
that on that same day, Sunday, Hahn
had sworn to have his hearts blood be-
fore he slept that night. 1t also APP
peared that Hahn had tried to persuade
some of his neighbors that McKinsey
had been fugitive from justice, and
had left suddenly because he had learn
ed that officers knew of his where
abouts. The Justice, however, dis
charged Hahn on the ground that the
evidence was insufficient About the
same time an effort failed TO have him
indicted on the same grounds.
Meantime Hahn has been working
energetically to discover some trace OF
the missing man, and few days ago
who should come TO the house of Hahn
but Mr.. William McKinsey himself. and
Tuesday last MIR. Hahn marched him
triumphantly into Polk City, exhibiting
his long-lost hired man in great glee.
] The general impression among Madi.