The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-12-26
THE JACKSON MASSACRE.

The single Traci. Left by the MAN Guard
ut the window Casts suspicion De-
formed sOn Of Oid Man Crouch.
Jackson. Mich. Dec. fS.-rhe develop
ments thus far made in the case OF the muir
derof the Crouch family have invested that
tragedy with an interest rs absorbing as any
that ever ceptered in the most thrilling ro-
nance. Everything connected with the FAM
lily history for twenty i've Yeas has smacked
of the sensational, and the terrible climax
OF murder mas stimulated many Old settlers
TO recall almost iorl often incidents OF the
past which now have tragic significance,
Jacob D. CfOul4 came 10 this State from
Orange County, New lork, IN 1880 and IN
1910 moved to Che .racuihcent farm seven
miles south of this city on which he was
murdered.
Soon after they had settled in their new
home Mrs Crouch died in childbirth, leav-
ing puny and crippled son. who was christ
ened judo. The stern Old man in his grief
over the loss OF his wife could not bear the
sight of the child Tor whom she had given
her life. and the BABY was sent to Daniel
HolcOmb, n son-in law, who brought him up
AS their own. For many years the boy Ian
guishg1, being unable To leave his he'd much
of the time, but finally he gained strength,
and although sadly doformed in one Lee. he
has Of late appeared 10 be in the enjoyment
of health.
After the burial OF Nrs. Crouch the old
mans heart went out TO his little daughter
Eunice, then siI or seven years old. aud as
ms sons Byron and Dayton soon after went
away to Texas to engage in the cattle bust
= ness the little girl was the only relative left
who shared with him TIC spacious old home.
Byron and Dayton p.ospered in Texas, but
after a few wears the latter died and Byron
assumed his brothers share in the business.
giving bis father notes therefor agsregatlg
$4,000 Things rdr on at the homestead
smoothly enough, except for the occasional
Jars between the HOlcombs and the old
man. until a few years ago when Ennice
announced Re- drsir' to marry Henry
White, young mer au5 OF this city. To
this her father. then very aged man,
readily asssnted, hut tho Holc1mbs and
Byron objected strcnuously. The marriage
was celebrated, nevertheless, ard tae young
couple, IN obedience TO pfomise eXacod
by the old gentten an when lie gave his con-
sent % the union took up theii residences
with hin.
Ilolco4nb Notwithstanding the frequent as
sistance given him 6y his fatber-in law.
never seemed b prosper. He mOrtraged his
farm again aBd again and finally lallg hard
pressed for money. he presented n bill 10
f. Crouch Tor 81 900 for supporting Judd IL
is reported that Crouch was very angry az
this, and made the remark that he would
nay the money, but that IL would be the last
they would ever get from him. The iHDrea-
sion cot out in some quarters though
CrCuchs surviving relatives deny thaJ they
ever heard il, that Eunice, VINO was about 10
become a mother, would receive the greater
part of her fathers wealth. Byron was rich
in his own right. and against the HOlcom5s
and judd the old man was said to have con-
ceived bitter prejudice
AT lirst the mOs- plausible theory was that
robbery had prompted the murder L. was
thought that Policy might have exhibited
ais money in Jackson, and that some one
may have conceived the idea OF killing him
for gain This was soon exploded, however
for l. was found that his money was undi-
tarOed. Henry Whites wallet and consid-
able iewey lay in plain sight in his room,
but these Were nok taken. That the murders
were not perpetIated for robbery solely thus
became apparent. A critical search OF the
premises revealed the fact that nothing mad
been taken but the package of private notes
and mortgages. That had disappeared. For
the purposes OF the murderers the night as
has been saiG. was aptly chosen. but ia one
espect it did not come up to their require
ments. The rain had hot been as heavy as
they expected It cid not blot out the track
OF rubber boo on the ground west OF the
house. In the morning officers discovered
enc plain track lust outside the pariOr
window made By rubber boot. IL
indicated that a watcher had stood
there on guard while the assassins were
within. Judd Crouch had rubber boots. and
his lameDess was such that If he had sto,d
there he would have made but one foot
print Whoeger planned the attack knew
the mouse, its inmates. and the location OF
the. valued contents thoroughly. He was no
ordinary thief and he was not a stranger.
Without doubt the murderers knew where
the Kitchen girl and the coIored boy slept
After the shooting the BOY says some one
opened the stair door and listened TO be sure
1lat the 10y was not making an : demonstca-
i1lcil. Had he made the least sign they
1Eonld have killed him. The weapon used
y n. II
wand this week Mr.. Reynolds, a jackson
! Derclant swOre positively that lie sold such
a plSsol 70 Baniel S. Holcomb last June.
TlIis Holcomb denies most emphatcaly
" hoover it was that committed this foul
deed was remorseIessly determined to take
the lie OF Eunioe White as her four or five
wounIs hear testimony.