Morning journal and courier., 1884-02-23
Frightful Tragedy in Granby.

Mans Head Chopped or by am Insane
 Member Of the New York Stock Ex-
 change.
 GRANBY, Conn. Feb. 22.-At East Granby, in place called Spoonville, at s:3O this morn ing J. J. Harder, ,of Brooklyn, E. D., was be- headed by Henry c. Ely, an insane man not considered dangerous. Harden was his keeper until within short time. Harden was washing outside of the door in the wood shed when Ely came up behind and felled him with an axe He theniumpedon him and chopped his head from his body and knocked it into the back yard some twenty feet When first seen he was swinging the axe saying, q have killed John"
 Fuller details of the tragedy are as fol lows: Spoonville is a little hamlet about three miles from TarifvilIe Among the houses in the village is that of Mrs. Whitefeld Cowles, and with her resided Henry Ely, 8 crazy man, and his keeper, John Harden. The circumstances attending the horrible murder seem to indicate that the deed was committed while Ely was laboring under an alteration of the mind stronger than usual. Shortly after 8 o'clock Harden went into the barn to do some work, leaving Ely in the house. The former had been in the barn but short time when Ely en- tered quietly. Harden was bending over a pail of water, engaged in cleaning his face and hands. Over to one side but back of him and resting against the wa Il was an axe the edge of which was unusually sharp. The insane man walked over quietly, picked 1t up and using the same stealth that character ized his motions thus far crept up behind Harden and lifting the axe on high brought it down on the neck of the unsuspecting man with resounding blow. The blade cut in deep. Again the murderous weapon was | lifted and came down with horrible the head from the body. The frenzisd man threw away the axe and with his foot kicked the bloody head to the barn door, and thence into the yard. Mrs. Cowles heard the noise made by the weapon and looked out into the yard just in time to see the head rolling over the ground and hear Ely exclain: ''There, guess I've fixed him now"
 The neighborhood was immediately aroused and Ely secured. Coroner Sperry of Hart ford was notified and Dr. Edwards, resident medical examiner, took chargesof the body. Ely is 32 years of age and is one sale liquor dealers, New York. He has been distiller himself and also holds seat in the New York Stock Exchange. Fast liv- ing made him crazy and he was sent to board with his sister, Mrs Whitefield Cowles He has always been considered harmless The murdered man was twenty-seven years of age and formerly resided in Brooklyn, N. Y. Years ago he worked for Ely when the latter was in business and has been his keeper since he became crazy. Of late Ely fancied that Harden had grudge against him. Ely is confined in Mir. Cowles' house'to await the &C., t1on of the coroner.
 United Press despatch says concerning the affair: "Ely has been insane for some years and it seems to have been hereditary in his family, as both his mother and sister have been insane. It is stated that Harden had been repeatedly warned that Ely might prove dangerous and was many times eau tioned that he should be on his guard against any outbreak on the part of Ely. A hearing in the case will be held in the basement of the church in East Granby Saturday"