The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1884-05-09
Murder Near Salem.

A special correspondent at Salem, Or,
writes to the Oregoniaa on the 9Th inst.
that David Swartz, an old resident of this
county, was found lying dead in the road
| near his old home few miles east of this
| city at an early hour yesterday morning.
His team and wagon, on which was a load of
lumber, were standing near by, with indi-
| cations of having remained there all night.
Swartz's body was lying on the ground
with a CHASTITY gun.shot wound in the face
and one, apparently made by the ball of a
revolver, in his neck. An alarm was at
once given, and the body taken to Ills home.
Foot prints were scattered around promis-
cuously, apparently those of three different
persons-a man, woman and boy-and
the theory was advanced that his wife. her
son and coloreds employe on the place
were implicated in the deed. Their family
relations have been anything but pleasant
for a long time past, and their recent ap-
pearance in the courts in cross suits, assault
and battery cases, ETC., has given them an
unsavory reputation. Sheriff Forward yes
terday arrested the woman and boy on sus-
picion, and they are now in Jail. The col
ored man cannot be found as yet. The
coroner will hold an inquest to-day. There
has no doubt been murder committed.
The pistol shot was fired at close range, as
the flesh is powder-burned. 1t is generally
supposed the crime was committed about
9 o'clock on Saturday evening, the body
being discovered on the following morning
by man coming to the city for physician.
The affair has created considerable excite
ment.
Later developments indicate that Swartz
was shot about 10 o'clock Saturday night.
He fingered along in dreadful agony until
about noon to-day. His wife made a state
ment this morning, in which she said that
it was her firm belief that colored man |
named Jos. Drake and farm laborer named |
William Henry committed the deed. Sheriff
Forward has just succeeded in arresting
them both, and they are, with Mrs. Swartz
and her son, confined in the county Jail. |
1t is believed that she knows more of the
affair than she has thus far revealed, and
urther confessions are looked for, as she
appears sadly broken in spirit. The coro-
1er's inquest developed no new facts, and
heir verdict was that the murder was COM
nitted by unknown parties. She acknowl-
edges that she took supper with Henry at
lis house on Gesner's place Saturday eve
ling and appearances indicate that she was
;ocnizant of the crime in all its horrible de-
ails. The preliminary examination will
AXE place tomorrow morning before JUS
ice Coffey, when new and startling devel-
,pments are looked for. The court house
s filled with excited news hunters, num-
yer of the relatives of the deceased being
present.
SALEM, May 6.-The preliminary exam
nation of Mrs. D. Swartz and son, Joe
Drake and William Henry, charged with
he murder of David Swartz on Saturday
asst, was commenced before Justice Coffey s
o-day. II
William Henry testified that Mrs.
,wartz gave himself and Drake to under
tand that her husband intended to kill them ,
10Th on sight. Mrs. Swartz came to his I
louse Saturday evening, and informed them
hat her husband had gone to Bass mill, t
nd that favorable opportunity would