The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-06-22
MOTHER BRurAL MURDER,

Inc people OF Owosso were startled
on Monday evening ABOUT eleven
O'clock, BY. the report that a murder
had been lcommittedin West Owosso.
Investigation proved the report to
be true, and that Martin Brophy, a,
farmer who resided in New Haven
township, had been stricken down in
vacant lot just across the street
west of the wood yard OF Mr.. All.
Thomas, as is was charged by two
men, Arthur Steinhoff an d John
Phillips, both brick makers in the
employ of Parker & Bedford, and
who boarded with Mr.. w. S. Fuller,
near the Michigan Central Depot.
Contradictory reports were aaoat
as TO the exact facts in this case, but
it evidently originated ina drunken
frolic in some Of the saloons Of the
city, and II IS. also, evident that
there had been some trouble between
the parties prior TO the murder, as
one or the parties IS said to have
been catby Brophy, and has about
him marks Of aXsevere encounter,
while Phillips has a Scratch on his
face, probably the result of its com.
ing in contactswith some ones fingers
nails. .Yets the killing of BrophyI
seems have been as premeditated,
barbarous and devilish an act as can
be found Of record among drunken
broils. Brophy had the reputation
of being peaceful citizen, though
somewhat given 10 taking "nip.n
The murderers are almost strangers
though Steinhoff had been about the
city for some time, The testimony
taken before the Coroner's jury
showed that Brophys skull bone was
fractured on both sides of his head,
but there were no cuts in. the scalp
to indicate:the cause of the wounds,
showing that the blows had been
given by some instrument with 4
fiat surface. On his brain were
found clots Of blood, and he had, in
the words, of DR.. Robb, "bled at
both ears and the snose."R Richard
c. Sweet testified to. seeing Phillips
strike Brophy with piece of board
which he tore from the fence, and
which he identified in Court. Also,
that he told Phillips to his face that
he was the man who struck HIM,
but that Phillips said in reply, "no, it
was the little fellow" That he
told tine people who had gathered,
that Phillips was the man and not to
let him get away, while he, Sweet,
went for physician and an officer,
but in the confusion incident to such
an occasion, he slipped away unob.
served, but has since been captured
and is now in jail awaiting examina-
ton. On the return of Sweet with
an officer and physician, Brophy was
found to be still alive, and was taken
to Mr.. Fuller's boarding house where
he died at 4, A. M. Steinhoff was
found in bed at Fuller's and arrested
by Deputy Sheriff Wilkins and
taken to the lookup, and from there
to the Jail at Corunna, to await ex.
animation next Tuesday. Phillips
got off and started south and east,
was seen by Mrs. Parker asleep by
the roadside in the direction of Ban.
croft the next morning, who report.
ed the fact on her return and tele-
gram sent by Justice Van Dusen to
Bancroft, caused Messrs. 1. L.
Roberts, F. l.. Roberts, G. A. Park.
er and VIM. Brewster to start after a
man known to have passed IN the di.
rection of Byron few hours before.
On reaching Barnum's Corners, a
mile south Of Byron, they overlook
Phillips, arrested him and brought
him to the jail at Corunna, the same
night. After partial hearing, at
the request of the Prosecuting At.
torney, the Coroner's inquest was
adjourned until this morning at
Justice Taylor's Office. But there is
no question as to the parties under
arrest being the ones that made the
assault upon Burphy, nor is there the
least doubt that the fracas was the
outcome of drunken spree, the cost