Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-21
KILLED BY A THIEF.
An Ohio Postmaster Shot While Pro-
tecting His Property.
SUPPOSED MURDERER WATCHED.
he Was Stealing Chickens When Cornered
by His Victim.
INTERESTING NEWS OF THREE STATES
fsrFcIAL TELEGRAM TO THE p1sPArcH.l

fsPFcIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH!
ST. MARY'S, O., Sept. 20.-A deliberate,
cold-blooded murder startled the peaceful
community of St. John, a picturesque vii
lage, situated among the hills, in the east
ern part of this county, 16 miles east of this
city, at an early hour this morning The
murdered man is Captain William Herring,
Postmaster and prominent citizen of the
place. When the report of the terrible
affair became circulated hundreds of people
hurried 10 the scene, and everything was in
8 state ofieyerish excitement.
Considerable petty theiveries have been
going on in the village for some time, and
several parties are suspected of committing
them. Mr.. Herring his wife and daughter
retired at about IL last night. Mr.. Her
ring was soon fast asleep, but his wife lay
awake quite a while, as the night was OPP
pressive and hot At 11:30 their 16-vear
old son came nome, and, noticing commo-
ton in the poultry yard, went to the gate
30 investigate, when he saw the figure of a
man, whom he recognized as one of the citi-
zcns of st. John running across the field.
Going into the house the son procured a
shotgun and started in search of the in
Truder. but. seeing nothing of him, returned
TO the house and went upstairs. He first
went 70 his parents bedroom and informed
his mother of what he had seen, but upon
being assured that the man whom he saw
1neant no harm he retired.
A CHICKEN THIEF CoRNERED.
At about I:SO o'clock Mrs Herring was sud-
denly awakened by a noise in her room and,
looking up, saw her husband at the window
md upon asking him what he was doing he
replied that there was some one stealing
chickens. Partially dressing himself Cap
tain Herring went out taking his revolver
with him. He had been gone but a short
time when Mrs Herring, who was anxiousIv
awaiting Developments, was startled by the
report OF two pistol shots in rapid success
s on. After laying there for fully a half
1nur she mustered mp enough courage to
arouse her son and inform him of what
lad occurred. The son hurried down stairs
followed by his mother and sister and going
81 the direction of the chicken coon, was
horrifed at finding his father lying face
Downward on the ground in front of the
harnyard gate. The Captain was dead, both
] 5 arms being stretched out in front of him.
revolver still firmly grasped in one |
Rand. \ large pool of blood stained the |
earth where he lay, and in which he had |
been wclterlng since he received the fatal |
y ound. The bullet entered the breast went |
through the apex of the heart, then took an |
upward tendency, passing through his lungs, |
cutting his vertehra in two and lodging in |
the muscles of the back. where the bullet |
was located and extracted by Drs. Hunter |
and Bryne, of Wapokoneta.
SUSPICION AS TO THE MURDERER
Young Herring, overcome with grief. as |
sisted his mother and sister into the house |
and gave the alarm, arousing the neighbors ,
and in short time the entire populace was |
thoroughly excited. \ resident of St John
" no bears bad reputation, is suspected of /
having murdered Herring, and this sus-
piclOn is strengthened for the reason that |
the murdered mans son recognized him |
While running over the field. He is kent /
under close surveillance.
In an interview with Herrings son, YOUR
representative learned that the same person |
had called to see the dead man this morn
ing; that his actions were very strange, and |
that he walked away by himself without |
having spoken anything about the affair /
The untimely death OF Herring has cast a
gloom over the whole community, as he was
universally well liked. He was prominent
odd Fellow and Mason and a member of the |
Royal Arcanum Lodge. lie was &c years