Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-09-16
MURDER AT DIES MONIES.
A Wan Named Murdoch Fatally Stab
bed mt the State Fair Grounds.

The Leaders, account says; A young negro
named George Strader stabbed and killed a
white man named Jack Murdoch on the state
fair grounds last evening Sunday, Sept l2,)
about 7:15 The negro has been employed
about the grounds for several months by a
widow lady named Egan, residing just across
the road from the west gate. Murdoch was a
| resident of Fairfield, Iowa, and since May 18th
last has been employed on the grounds as
grading boss. For several weeks stablemcn
and others employed about the grounds have
been considerably annoyed on account Of
thefts OF tobacco, and though the guilt Of
Strader has never been established, he was
suspected and generally blamed for these petty
robberles. Yesterday Murdoch, on going to
one of the buildings discovered the loss of his
coat. Going across to the restaurant kept by
Mrs. Egan, he accosted Stradcr and calling
him out the two retired around the corner,
and after holding n short conversation, they
returned to the north entrance. Here Murdoch
again accused the boy of stealing bis coat.
The latter denied it and replied that the man
who preferred the charge was a scoundrel and
could not stand up in front of him. At this
Murdoch struck Strader blow In the face.
The negro warned him not to repeat the of
tense or he would retallate by cutting him.
AT this Murdoch drew razor from HIS inside
coat pocket and started for Strader, who hav.
ing keen realization OF his danger, turned
and ran rapidly toward the secretary's office,
pursued by Murdoch flashing a razor. When
last seen the two were about ten feet apart.
An instant later Strader reappeared in front OF
Office, bareheaded and running. At this time
nothing was seen of Murd elk. VIM. Hanson,
c. B. Graney and VIM. Corkoran, three young
men who had been witnesses to the quarrel,
seeing Strader fleeing by them hastily asked
where he was going. Without answering
Strader continued bis fight and soon disap.
pearcd toward the south fence, which he
scaled and ran up the railroad track toward
the city. As soon as the negro had passed
them Hanson and his companions turned their
attention toward the east side Of the building
and saw Murdock staggering around the cor
ner and coming toward them, evidently fatal
ly injured Before passing the front door Muir.
dock sank to a kneeling posture, but with q
desperate effort regained his feet and came
reeling forward. A few feet further on nc
again succumbed and slowly sank to the
ground, evidently in the last throes OF dissolu-
ton. Much alarmed Hanson ran to him and
asked what was the matter. ''Nevcr mind the
niger" gasped Murdock; "get me pillowr'
Hanson called to his companions to assist
him and taking hold of the dying man did all
he could to relieve his sufferings, but In vain.
Ten minutes later Murdoch gave gasp and
the tremor of death passed through his frame.
Hanson, on realizing the character Of the
mans injuries, ran into the ONCE and notified
Mr.. Snouffer, Shaffer and others that q MUIR
der had been committed. All was excitement
in a minute. Mr.. Snouffer sent message by
telephone for physician and in fifteen minu-
ties DR.. Prestly was on the ground. However
his patient was beyond the reach of surgical
skill, having died few minutes previous to
the doctors arrival. Murdoch was about 2S
years of age, resided at Fairfield, and leaves
wife and two children. At latest accounts
Strader had not been arrested.