The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-02-21
CONkELL'S MURDER
Recalled-The Cemetery Sexton Tn
der Arrest-The Preliminary
Hearing in Progress.

Lin Witzcman and Joe Moegging of Lee.
tonia were arrested Thursday evening
Sufficient evidence has been obtained to cause
their arrest in connection with the murder OF
j. II. COnkell, the Canton marble dealer who
disappeared at LectOnia last October, under
very mysterious and peculiar circumstances.
and regarding whose whereabouts there has
been cloud Of suspicion and mystery.
Nltzcman is sexton Of the cemetery. Ii
Will be remembered that some time ago party
watching at the cemetery in the hope of cap
turing the murderer Of Conkcll in the act OF
returning the body to the grave from which it
was thought it had been taken, collided with
sexton Witzeman and two or three others.
WiZeman explained their presence in the
cemetery at that hour, saying that he was
afraid some one might return COnkcPs body
and that the murder would be sworn upon him,
and therefore he and his friends were watch.
ing
Beyond the fact that Marshal Lanaghan has
sworn out the warrant charging Witzcman
and MOcggng with murder in the first degree
the officers will disclose nothing.
1t is known, however that Mrs. Linghtncr
shortly after COukells disappearance washed Il
bloody shirt and that she and Mrs. FOney
heard screams coming from the neighbOrhOOd
Of the cemetery vault the night of COnkell's
disappearance, and aftcrward saw man with
a knife come from the cemetery.
COnkel's body has been found in coal
house at Franklin Square, There is no bOubt
oft although the officials profess ignorance of
the fact.
The arrested men are held in the Mayors
court Of LeetOnia and preliminary eXamna-
ton was begun late yesterday afternoon.
The examination disclosed the following
facts: Witnesses testified tohaving seen COnklc
and Witzeman in the company of each other
on the Saturday morning that COnkle disap-
peared. Two women, Mrs Wagner and Mrs.
FOrney testified to seeing blood on mOnu-
ment in the cemetery and a trail of blood
leading to the vault. Mrs. Wagner
also testified to seeing pan of
bloody water standing in the vault. 1t is
understood that the body has been found but
the officers will not say anything in the matter
The evidence was all in this morning and
Prosecutor Speaker had completed his plea for
the state. The argument for the defense was
being made this afternoon. The prosecutor
stated that in the event of the men being dis
criminatcd by the mayor he would have them
rearrested and held TO the grand jury.
Mrs. ConkeIl Interviewed.
Mrs. COnkell was seen at her residence Sat.
urday afternoon bya NEWS reporter. She says
that she knew nothing of the affair of the find
of the body or the arrest of the men save what
she has heard ruumored She knew the case
was being worked up but was not advised as to
the progress being made She feels badly over
the affair but is relieved that the mystery Of
her husbands disappearance is being cleared
up. She was waiting anXiously for news from
Leetonia. Mrs. COnkell is not a strong
woman and the strain and worry over the
affair is telling on her
3P, NJ. M.-sPECIAL.
Mayor Greenamyer rendered verdict. lie
acquitted Joe Magging and held Lii Witze-
man for murder of COnkell.