The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-07-03
A nURDEROUS MANIAC


The village OF Walnut Grove. a short dis
tance south of this city, says the Johnstown
TTib1ue OF Monday. was the scene of a most
tragic and sensational occurrence this morn
inf. For week or ten days past Frederick
Ream, landlord OF a hOtel there has been
manifesting evidences Of approaching in
sanity, but his condition was not regarded
as serious enough to warrant his commit
ment to an asylum. He was not violent;
rather the reverse, bat, at his own sugges-
tion his vile hid a number of things about
tile house that would prove dangerous
weapons. Ream himself took charge OF an
old double bareled shotgun and secreted it
in the cellar. On Wednesday night last
Ream's malady developed a tendency to.
ward violence, and his wife determined TO
watch him during the night. II was wall
for her she did, for about 2 O'Clock in the
morning he seized her by the throat. and
would in all probability have checked her to
death had she not been on her guard and in
a position to defend herself She succeeded
in thwarting his purpose and Ia calming
him to sleep.
The next day the attending pbysicisn,
fearing that Ream might attempt other acts
of violence advised that careful guard be
kept over him. Accordingly one OF his N Ie
friends remained with him Thursday and
Friday nights. On Saturday his brother
| COrrad, Of Bethlehem, for whom he had al
ways entertained more affection than FOR
anybody else, save bis wife, arrived at Wal
nut Grove and assumed personally the care
Of him. He sat up with him that night and
again last night. His conversation was by
very wild, although not loud or boisterous,
and he did nothing to cause his brother a
suspicion that, IL unguarded, he would do
himself OF anybody else any harm. Conrad
was. therefore, not as watchful, perhaps, as
he might otherwise have been. and, about
O'Clock this morning he fell asleep.
Taking advantage of the opportunity thus
presented, the crazy man slipped down to
the cellar where he had hid the shotgun
and, procuring IT, crept noiselessiy up to
the room where the brother was still doing.
Taking deliberate aim the maniac discharged
the weapon at Conrad, and then, seizing the
gun by the barrel rushed upon him and
began clubbing him with the butt, Telling
him to the floor. Thinking. no doubt. that
he bad finished his brother Frederick en-
tered a small room and closed the door, for
the purpose, evidently, OF preventing capt
ure. The noise Of the gun aroused the
household and the PROSTATE form OF Conrad
was found by Mrs. Ream. physiciau was
sent for and the maniac was captured, and
he was secured with ropes and lashed to the
bed.
Conrad's Ream's injuries we're examined
by physician. He found the contents Of
the gun had taken effect in the right arm
about midway between the elbow and shOul.
der, causing terrible mutilation OF the mem
Der, severing the blood vessels, and lodging
under the arm; that some shots had entered
the right side. and that there we're several
severe confused wounds on the head where
he had been hit with the butt OF the gun.
The cause of Frederick's mental sfliction
Is said to be anxiety about bis financial af-
fairs. 1t seems that he is indebted to the
man from whom he purchased the place
which he now occupies about 81 600, for
which be had given notes that are now over.
due. He was examined by two physicians
and his condition was found to be such that
confinement In an asylum is imperativeIy
necessary. He having no means to defray
the expenses OF his treatment, Director
Easily took charge OF him, and the county
will bear the cost. He will be removed to
DiXmont TODAY or Tomorrow