The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-11-29

An Aged Farmer, His Daughter, Son-in-
Law and Texas Visitor ChlOrOformed
and Murdered in Their Beds Near jack
son, Michigan-A Large Sum of Money
Known to be in the House the Probable
Incentive-A Negro Under Arrest on Sus-
piciOn.
jackson, MICH, Nov. -.
! This morning four persons, Jacob d.
/ Crouch, aged seventy-four widower; Hen
/ ry White, aged thirty EIGHT, son-in-law of
| Crouch; Eunice White, aged thirty-three,
| daughter of Crouch, all of Summit Town
| ship, jackson County, and Moses Policy,
/ aged twenty-six, of Transfer, Mercer Coun-
/ ty, Pa, were found murdered in their beds,
all having been shot through the head
behind the ear, and are supposed to have
been chlororformd first, as no signs of
struggle appeared. Each victim was lying
as if asleep, and the odor of chloroform was
noticeable when they were discovered.
Mrs. White was also shot through the left
arm. No clew has as yet been discovered,
although tracks around the house indicate
guard was placed while the murder was
being perpetrated. Crouch was a wealthy
farmer, living seven miles southwest of
Jackson, and owner of an extensive sheep
ranch III Texas. 1t is rumored that
he had just received about $4,000
from Texas in payment of sales
made on the ranch. Bankers here state
that no money was deposited by Crouch,
and it is presumed the money was in
Crouch's hands. Policy was stopping at
Crouch's, having just come from Texas
with large amount of money for the pur-
pose of buying blOOded stock. The theory
is that he (Polley) was followed from
Texas by the murderer or murderers for the
purpose of robbery.
Crouch slept in an alcove opening into a
sitting-rOOm, near the front part of the
house. His daughter and her husband oc-
cupied the front bedroom, while in another
bedroom, opening also into the parlor, lay
the remains OF Policy. Crouch was lying
with his face to the wall and had bullet
hole in the left side of the head, two inches
back of the ear, the ball passing through
the brain. Death was instantaneous.
White was shot twice, one ball entering the
right side of the neck three inches below
the ear, severlng an artery, the second ball
entering the temple, near the right eye. He
was discovered lying on his back, as if
peacefully sleeping. His wife was shot five
times, and made hard struggle for life, as
judged by the position of her arms and the
disorder of her clothing. Two balls passed
through the right arm, one through the left,
one in the right breast into the lungs, one
through the chin and neck, and another in
the left wrist. Policy was shot twice, one
directly into the brain, the second passing
through his chest from the right side. There
were no indications of a struggle. The
Sheriff believes the shots were fired by one
person and one revolver, as number of
empty cartridges found on the floor all
show the same caliber. There are conflict
ing rumors regarding the use of chloroform.
Physicians claim none was used, but the |
theory of one person doing the butchery,
and the testimony of the first neighbors at
the scene, who claim that the odor of |
chloroform on entering the house was suffo- |
eating. The young negro Boles has been
arrested and jailed to await the result of
the Coroner'S inquest, which will be held |
tomorrow. Crouch was worth 81, ,000, 600 |
He had property in Jackson County and |
sheep ranches in Texas, near Forth Worth. |
He leaves two sons and one daughter. A |
pocket-book containing $l05 and a certifi- |
cate of deposit for $500 was found on the |
window sill of Whites room. An empty |
cartridge-box, 52-calibre, was found in the
negro Boles' room.