Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-06-03
A HoosiER TRAGEDY.
Chris HaberIsus Murders His Aged wife
at Roanoke, Ind.-After Setting Fire to
His Residence He Cuts His Own Throat.

Chris Haberkus Murders His Aged Wife
at Roanoke, Ind.-Atter Setting Fire to
His Residence He Cuts His Own Throat.
HUNTINGTON, Ind, May 29.-At mid
night Saturday night in Roanoke vii
lage in this county Christopher Haber-
lus murdered his wife, set fire to his
house and killed himself Haberlsus
was T5 years old and his wife
TO- Mrs. Haberkus had been sick in
bed for several months During all
that time Haberlsus refused to allow
a physician in the house, claiming he
could take care of her himself She
was a Catholic and he was not, and he
objected to Catholic women calling
upon her. Saturday two of the church
women did call He abused them and
after they left, 1t is supposed, he and
his wife had trouble over it
Haberl<us at once sharpened huge
knife on a grindstone in the yard. At
| midnight. while his wife was asleep, he
| entered her room and with one stroke
nearly severed her head from her body.
| Then he set fire to the bed, left the
room and locked the door. He went
upstairs through a trap door, securely
fastening it down. He then set fire to
the furniture upstairs and then killed
himself by cutting his throat.
When the fire was discovered the men
outside were afraid to attempt to enter
because Haberllus was known to be re-
vengeful and to have variety of fire.
arms in the house. Finally the door was
broken down and the people entered.
They were in time to save the dead body
of the woman from the flames. When an
attempt was made to go upstairs they
found the door blockaded and immova-
bic. A young man climbed a tree in
the yard and by peeping into a window
he saw the body of Haberkus lying on
the floor. The head and feet were at
that time burned off.
Haberkus had several boxes of car
tridges in the house and the heat dis.
charged them. For few moments il
sounded like the rattle of musketry
Fully 500 cartridges exploded, but no.
body was hurt. After the fire the rem,
nants of two muskets and four large re
volvers were found in the ashes, show
ing that Haberkus was well supplied.
For time the theory of double muir
der prevailed, but that was disprovec
when it was found that the house haC
not been robbed. Haberlxus had due
q large hole under the house, which
was covered by a trap door in the floor
In that hole he kept a number of win,
jugs and this morning a jar was founc
there containing two tin cans in which
were over $500 in gold and silver. 1t il
known that Haberkus had over $500 il
gold and silver, but few days ago h
said he had buried lot of it.
Haberkus was always eccentric. III
never threatened to kill his wife, bu
always said if she died he would sit OF
her grave one night and kill himself tn
next day. Several years ago he dug
grave in his back yard for himself
Whenever he had trouble wit
anyone he would crawl into tn
, grave and lie there for hours ur
til his wife or some other person induce
him to leave it. He also had a coffin /
the open grave for long time, but
few weeks ago he removed it to tn
1 house, where it was burned with hin
He was of a very revengeful nature.
l a neighbor's chicken strayed upon h
lot he not only killed it but beat it t
l a jelly with a club or stamped it I
| pieces.