The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1884-09-04
The Residence of John Peters
the Scene of the Crime.
The Dead Body Hid Away In a
Privy Vault,
While the Supposed Mother Is Taken to
tho lnhrmary.
The Story In Detail, M Given 10 u Democrat
Reporter by Mra. George
Bsilamy.

blRut OF Ten pbOplb, Dub ollntT ny neg
lect or some unknown reason, never
reached the proper authorities for inyes'
tigati0n.
THE PRELIMINARIRs,
On either Saturday, August 2nd, or
the following Sunday, q woman, aged
about twenty-f0ur years, whose maiden
name Ii given as Celia Mony or Monin,
went 10 the residence OF John Peters,
on the west side Of South Market street,
back from the street and directly south
OF the Valley Railway track, where she
was taken sick. Miss Mony Ia sister
Of Mrs. Ezekiel Merryman, labOror,
residing at No. 90 Housed street, and her
home IL at Canal Dover. IL Ia said that
she has twice been married aud. OF late,
has not lived with her second husband.
In her illness she complained OF having
cramps and the cholera. Her sls-
ter, Mrs. MeTryman, was sent
for and tho latter summoned physl-
clan, who called Sunday evening and
treated tho patient. The latter grew
very III, and the Peters family, suspect
Ing that all was not right, made appli.
cation TO Inhrmary Director Shorb for
medical assistance. This was on the
Tuesday or Wednesday following. On
the latter date Poor Physician Raedel
was notified by Mr.. Shorb TO look after
tho case. On Thursday morning, Aug.
7th, DIR. Raedel called to eee Mias M0ny,
and told her that the symptoms indi.
Gated that an
ABORTION HAD BEEN PERFORMED
upon her, Thig Miss Mony denied, al.
though the Peters family expressed II
as their opinion that such an operation
had really taken place. Dr.. Raedel
then prescribed for q skin
eruption, which was troubling
the patient, and loft with
the understanding that Miss MOny
should send TO his Office for the medicine
an Friday. This was not done but John
Peters, the head Of the family, again
called on Mr. Shorb, Friday, saying the
woman was very low. DR.. Raedol then
made second call upon Miss M0ny
and made application for her reception
nj the county in0rmary, TO which insti-
tuition she was removed several days
later.
A CHASTITY FIND,
The day after the removal Of Miss
Mony 10 the inlrmary, Mrs. George
Bellamy, living az $3.50 South Poplar st.,
n daughter OF Mr. Peters, saw q susplc.
iOus looking bundle In the priyy vault
on the premises, occupied by the Peters
family Suspectlng its contents
she took her fathers cane, aud
lifting the bundle out, found IL con.
sisted OF carpet and clothing. Open
ing II the dead body OF n child, probably
Ave months old, was disclosed. The
folks were greatly exercised over the
find and, fearing they might be charged
with completely In the matter, called In
Policeman Romey, Mrs. Darr, Mrs. Gail
and several other neighb0re TO view the
body OF the dead infant. Some one OF
the party agreed 10 notify the authorl.
tles, but, II seems, II was never done.
Meanwhile Mr.. Peters buried the body
in the northwest corner OF the lot, cover
ing the improvlsed grave with stone
and lot OF ashee.
THE STORY TOLD.
This morning DEMOCRAT reporter
called at tho Peters house aud there had
q conversation with yrS. Bellamy, who,
without reserve, told the circumstances
40 given above. She said the Peters
family were anxious TO have the matter
Investigated ~ they were desir0us OF
being exonerated OF any blame In the
matter. Mrs Bellamy also pointed out
the spot where Mr., Peters Inferred tho
body OF tho dead infant.
That an abortion was commi tied,
seems evident, but 40 to who committed
II, 10 for the authorities and not the
DEMOCRAT to decide.
THE WOMAN IN THE CASE.
Miss Mony remained at the Inarmary
until last Tuesday, August Goth, when
she left OF her own accord. Since then
she has called nj the homo Of her sister,
Mrs. Ezekiel Merryman, and was seen
on the streets Monday night. ,.
In conversation with prominent
physician OF the city to-day, DEMo
cRAT reporter was told by him that the
crime OF abortion was becoming one OF
alarming frequency In Canton, aud that
some steps should be taken 10 put q stop
10 II, and bring the guilty parties, who
our midst, to justice.
UNEARTHED.
The account Of tho case Of child mur.
der, uneurthed In this city, which ap.
peared In the DEMouRAT Tuesday, caused
much comment and excitement aud
papers were eagerly sought for.
Upon reading OF the affair In the
DEMOCRAT Justice Hudson concluded
that the circumstances warranted an
inquest aud, In che absence OF Coroner
Leininger, he decided 10 hold ono. Short.
ly after four o'clock Tuesday afternoon
Justice Hudson and Constable Frank
Wolf, accompanied by two DEMOCRAT re-
porters, repaired 70 the residence OF Jno.
Peters. There they met Mr.. and Mrs. |
George Bellamy. Mr.. Peters was absent
from home, but the family were will.
ling and, In fact, anxious that the au-
thOrities sh 'uld take up the remains and
conduct an inquest. Mrs. Bellamy
pointed out the grave, In the northwest |
corner OF the lot. As stated In Tuesdays
DEMOCRAT, II was covered with q large
stone and q lot Of ashes. Mr.. Bellamy
got u shovel and digging carefully In.
the soft soil found the
BODY or THE DEAD CHILD
at the depth Of abouta foot. While the
work was In progress number Of the
ne ghbors gathered about and wa che
the proceedings. From tho size OF the
infant II Ia estimated that IL was about
Ave months old, when born. The re.
mains were tied up In box and taken
In charge by Justice Hudson. who do.
livered them to DR.. Raedel for examiua.
tlon. Before tho party LETT the premBvs
Mrs. Ballamy exhibited n letter witch
was received by Celia Mony from ono OF
her admirers In Canal Dover. THIS lot.