Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-19
THE DEAD AND DYING.
Drowning Of a Child Brings to Light
a Probable Murder.
A RESERVE TOWNSHIP BOY Is HIT
With Brick. Maliciously Thrown by q
Burly CoIored Man.
JOHN AND CHARLIE BUCH's SAD FATEs

Charlie Buch, aged 1s, is dying at his
home in Reserve township. Three weeks
ago Henry Ringo hit him with brick and
since that time the boy has been gradually
sinking toward death's door,
The story has an unusual pathetic side.
Monday John Buch, the baby boy, was
drowned in cistern near the house. Per-
haps, had it not been for this, the probable
murder of his older brother
would not have leaked out so
soon. Yesterday morning the
Coroner held an inquest on the death of the
younger boy. Philip Buch, the father, was
in attendance. AS he was leaving the Office
he said, with tears in his eyes, "Coroner,
you will soon have another case in my
family"
The old man then told the story of the
brutal assault of Ringo on his boy. Alder
man McKenna was in the Office at the time,
and Mf Buch was made to swear an infor-
nation against Ringo for aggravated assault
and battery.
Sad Scenes at Philip Buch's Home.
Mr. Buch lives near Watson & Bros. >
brickyard, where he is stable boss. Yes
terday afternoon DISPATCH reporter
visited his home. All was as quiet as the
grave and the sight could not have been
more touching. In one room in neat little
white casket laid the remains of the
drowned baby boy. His beautiful face
wore sweet smile and the little fellow
looked as though he had just dropped
off to sleep. He was only 10 months
old and was just getting out in the yard.
Outside of the fence is an old well or cistern
covered over with some boards. Monday
John got on these boards and in some way
dropped into the water and drowned before
assistance could reach him.
In the room adjoining the one John lies
in Charlie is slowly nearing death. There
he is lying on the bed, where three weeks
ago he was carried in a senseless condi-
tion. During all this time his mother
has stood by his bedside slowly watching
the life of her son ebbing out Yesterday
she looked worn and gaunt as she stood ca
ressing the deathlike face OF her boy Tears
were running down her cheeks as she said:
Charlie Is Not Expected to Live.
"Charlie won't live long now. All
through these weeks he has been changing
one day better, the next day worse
but now he seems to be gradually sinking
away" With this she told the
story of her sons sickness ''Some
months ago." said she, ''the
dog Of a colored neighbor used to come over
into our lot, bringing with it numerous
other CANNES. Charlie got a paper-cap
pistol. The next time the dogs came he
fired and scared them away. The colored
mans dog had been fighting and was pretty
badly chewed up. The fellow blamed
Charlie with shooting the dog and would
not believe that the pistol did not contain
bullets From that time on he has been a
bitter enemy of Charlie.
Three weeks ago to-day Charlie was
playing at the brickyards. Henry Ringo,
who is also colored and a friend of our col
ored neighbor, was working there that day.
Ringo picked up brick and hurled it at
the boy, striking him behind the ear. Why
he did it we do not know, unless it was on
account of the dog, or the man might have
had another grudge against him.
Drew His Wages and Fled.
''Charlie has never been able to explain
it. 1t must have been maliciously done, for
the fellow drew his pay Immediately and
left this part of the country. He was not
heard of until to-day, when one of the
neighbors told me he had been seen at the
works"
Alderman McKenna has men out looking
for Ringo, and the police of the two cities |
have been notified. The fellow is tall, |
rather slender and about % years old.
The family may bring suit against Re-
serve township for the death OF John. The
cistern he fell into is said to be on ground ]
kept up by the township, and they think |
had it been properly covered the child |
would not have drowned