St. Landry democrat., 1883-12-01
A MICHIGAN MURDER.

An Aged Farmer, His Daughter. S0n-in--
Law and a 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--
pieion.
JACKSON, MICH, Nov.22.
This morning four persons, Jacob D.
Crouch, aged seventy-four, widower; Hem
ny White, aged thirty weight, son-in-law of
Crouch; Eilnice 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 a.
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 wealthy
farmer, living seven miles southwest of
jackson, and owner of an extensive sheep
ranch in Texas. 1t is rumored that.
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,
Croucb's, having just come from Texas
with a large amount of money for the pur-
pose of buying blooded stock. The theory
is that he; Policy was followed from
Texas by the murderer or murderers for the
purpose of robbery.
Crouch slept in an alcOve opening into a
sitting-roor:l, near the front part of the,
house. His daughter and her husband &C.
cupied the front bedroom, while in another
bedroom, opening also into the parlor, Law
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, severing 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 a 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
bullet entering the opening Of the right ear
directly into the brain, the second passing
through his chest from therightside. There,
were no indications of 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 en- 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 $1,000, 900.
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 $105 and certifi-
cate of deposit for 5000 was found on the
window sill pf Whites room. An empty
cartridge-box. 32-calibre, YVES found in the
negro Boles' room.