The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1879-08-01
An Accused Man VlndIcated.


About the middle Of January last, an
individual giving the name Of William
Mckinney, came to the residence of
Thomas l.. Hahn, in Madison Township,
few miles out from Polk City, and en-
tered into contract TO work Tor Hahn
Shortly after that time-three days, we
believe - McKinsey disappeared, and
Hahn, who lived In n secluded place.
would not or could not explain the dis.
appearance of his workman. The sus.
pieions OF neighbors was aroused, and
finally the excitement became so great as
20 lead to information being fled before
Sheriff Lendrum, who investigated the
matter. The Sheriff found Hahn at work
in the timber some distance from his
residence, and when questioned concern.
ing Mckinney he turned deathly pale,
and was so confused as 10 be unable TO
make any intelligible reply for some
time, whom he stated 10 the Sheriff that
he and Mckinney had spent the evening
previous 10 the disappearance playing
euchrc, and during the game McKinsey
laid down his hand and commenced 70
pack his clothes, announcing his deter
minAtion 20 leave the honse, but refused
70 say whore he was going. This was at
nearly midnight, and Hahn and his wife
thought 10 watch which way he went,
but heard no footballs after getting a
short distance from the house. McKin-
sey had bargained 10 work for year
with Hahn. and gave no reason for break
ing his contract.
After securing this information from
Hahn IN tho timber, the Sheriff thought
10 visit Hahn's house, and interview the
wife before Hahn could see her, and
thus find out il their stories in relation
70 the matter agreed. On getting in
sight of the house, Lendrum saw Hahn
driving at a furious rate from another
direction, but the Sheriff reached the
house in time 10 elicit enough from Mrs.
Hahn 10 show serious difference in the
stories told by husband and wife. She
stated that il was shortly after dark that
Mckinney had left the house. and after
answering u few other questions, the
husband came in, aud she referred ali
interrogatories q him. refusing 10 an
swer any herself. After that both par
ties seemed very reluctant 10 talk about
tho matter, either to officers or neigh
bors. subsequently correspondence
with parties in Missouri ELECTED the in
formation that McKinsey's parents lived
there. but that he had been absent from
home for three years. and no knowledge
went 10 Madison township.
Some time afterward Hahn came into
the Register Office and had inserted an
advertisement offering q reward Of S25
for any information in regard 10 McKin-
soy, but this was regarded at the time as
blind, measures having been taken for
his prosecution.
On the Goth of March Hahn was
| brought on trial before Squire Hebron.
at Polk City, and Mr.. G. Bowen, of this
city, his attorney. secured a change of
venue to another Justice. Several wit
nesses were examined, and some very
damaging eircumstantial evidence
against tho defendant was adduced. II
was proved that AfcKinsey had worked
for Hahn for some time, and that he dis
appeared on the evening Of January
18th; that on that same day, Sunday,
Hahn had sworn to have his hearts
blood before he slept that night. It also
appeared that Hahn had tried 10 per.
suade some of his friends that McKinsey
had been fugitive from justice, and had
left suddenly because he had learned
that officers knew of his whereabouts.
| The Justice, however, discharged Hahn
on the ground that the evidence was in.
sufficient. About the same time an
effort failed to have him indicted on the
same grounds.
Meantime Hahn has been working en-.
ergetically to discover some trace Of the
missing man, and few days ago who
should come to the house OF Hahn but
William McKinsey himself, and Tuesday
last Mr.. Hahn marched him triumph
antly into Polk City, exhibiting his long
lost hired man in great glee. The gen
eral impression among Madison town
ship people had been that Hahn has
killed the man and secreted the body.