The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-25
A Well-Known Fountain County Mer-
chant Shot Dead in His Room.
Henry Holiness Unique Plan for Collecting
Money from Church-NOtes and
Gleanings in Two States,
INDIANA.
A Farmer and His Wife FrightfulIy Beaten,
Robbery Being the Motive.

n Farmer and His Wife FrtShtfully Beaten,
Robbery Being the Motive.
Special to the Indianapolis Journaa.
GREENCAsTLE, Oct. 4.-At an early hour
this morning courier brought intelligence
to the sheriff of the county that James
Crawford and wife, living ten miles north
west of the city, near Clinton Falls had been
foully murdered, robbery being the motive.
AS soon as possible the scene of the tragedy
was visited by your correspondent, and
though both parties were found living, the
surroundings all pointed to the fact that a
terrible struggle had taken place within.
Blood-marks were prominent on the walls
and large pools on the floor, while a large
clock standing against the wall was shattered
by blow with slung-shot, as it missed the
head of the intended victim. The circum-
stances as ascertained by your correspondent
are as follows:
Mr.. Crawford and wife are middle-aged
people, childless, and living in q
somewhat isolated place-the nearest neigh
Dor being quarter of mile distant Soon
after dark on last evening as Crawford and
his wife were sitting by the fresde knock
was heard at the door. Crawford, first taking
the precaution to put a revolver in his
pocket, went to the door and inquired who
was there. The man responded that his
name was Douglas of Rowan county, Ken
lucky; that he was cold and hungry and
wanted something to eat. He was let in and
given supper, after which he sat by the fire
and engaged the farmer in conversation for
an hour or more. Crawford asked him to
remain all night, but the stranger declined,
and suddenly, without warning, arose. and
drawing slung-shot, struck Crawford a ter
rlble blow across the head. Though taken at
great disadvantage Crawford made strong
resistance, and in the struggle managed to
draw his revolver and fire twice, but without
effect. Then breaking away he grasped his
shotgun, hanging near, but before he could
draw it on the man he received blow across
his wrists that rendered him powerless. At
this juncture in the fight an accomplce made
his appearance, and, covering Crawford with
cooked revolver, told him to remain quiet.
Douglass then turned upon the woman and
with pair of knucks beat her until her
head was cut in a dozen places and her face
rendered almost unrecognizable She fell
fainting to the floor, and the villains, think
ing they had killed them both, made hasty
search of the house and decamped, taking
but SIS in money, the revolver and shotgun.
The latter was found a short distance from
the house. Crawford, after lying in a
stupor for some time, became conscious, and,
though badly injured, made his way to his
nearest neighbor and spread the alarm.
Crawford says he recognized the second man
as one James Buttery of Boone county, Ind,
who worked for him two months ago, and
who was we'll acquainted with the place.
The physician thinks both Crawford and his
wife will recover, though the latter is suffer
ing from internal injuries, the severity of
which cannot be determined. The sheriff
and posse of twenty men are on the track
of the criminal