Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-11-30

THE STORY OF IN ALLEGHENY TRAG.
EDT STRANGELY RETIYED.
The Butchers Fatal Blow-The Mysterious
Death of an Aged Sexton Explained at
Last-The Man Who Killed Him Still
Alive.
pittsburgh Dispatch ]


Last-The Man Who Killed Him Still
Alive.
pittsburgh Dispatch
Stranger than fiction is an expression
often used but seldom true. However, the
story told by prominent Presbyterian
divine of Allegheny, who has strong aver
sion to seeing his name in print, proves
conclusively that events transpire in real
life that cast the most brilliant invention
of fiction into the shade. This incident
will probably be remembered by many OF
the older citizens and some parts of the
story may even be news to them at this
late day. AS to the truth of it there can
be no doubt.
Within the memory of middle-aged men
and women there stood log church in the
South Commons, Allegheny, not far from
where the Hope engine house now stands.
The graveyard was located between Sher-
man and Marion avenues; the drive which
now crosses the park from Stockton avenue
to Ridge street passes through the center
of the lot. A road leading from Rebecca
street across the commons to Woods Run
passed along the fence on one side of the
cemetery. At that time much of the butch
ering for the two cities was done back of
where the outer depot is now situated.
MURDER IN GRAVE.
Early one morning as butcher was
driving over to the Pittsburgh market he
heard a noise in the graveyard as Of one
pounding on store box. Instead of put
ting whip to his horses, as most persons
would have done. he stopped and listened.
Finally he heard sound as of board
splitting or breaking, whereupon he deter
mined to see what il was and where it came
from. Climbing cautiously up on the fence,
he saw man half hidden in the newly
made grave of well-known young lady
who had been buried but the day previous
It would be difficult to say who of the two
were the most surprised as they gazed into
each others faces.
The enormity of the offense suddenly
flashed upon the mind of the butcher, and
he gathered up rock or a bludgeon and
dealt the ghoul terrible blow on the head
causing him to fall lifeless into the open.
ing he had made in the grave. The butche,
felt that he had struck the man in vital
part, and he became fearful that he ha6
killed him. His worst fears were confirmed
by getting down into the grave and exam
ing the limp. lifeless body, which he recog.
nized as that of the sexton of the old
church.
FLIGHT OF THE GUILTY MAN.
Realizing what he had done he drove t.
his home, changed his clothes and turned
his face toward the setting sun, which
course he followed until he arrived in tn,
central portion of Ohio, where he now live:
a highly respected and useful life. Hi
name is only known to his relatives ant
personal friends, none Of whom will revea
it, but who vouch for the truth of the story
During the day on which the tragedy &C
CURED it was announced that the old sexto,
had died suddenly and he was 9uietl,
buried, only few knowing the cause O
his sudden demise. 1t is even probable
that some of his own family were not &C
quainted with the facts. The physicians
who had employed the sexton to resurrec
the body of the young lady made vigorous
efforts to suppress the matter and evident
ly succeeded remarkably we'll. It is said
that one of their number is still living
but those who know him will not disclos.
his identity.
Verify truth, in this instance, is stranger
than fiction.