Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-08-04
A MYSTERIOUS CASE.

home of Henry Webster, wealthy
farmer living six miles north of Hicks
vile, o., was entered by an unknown
person. Mrs Webster was first ap-
prised of his presence by the outlines OF
a man standing over her bed, with a
revolver in his hand. The house being
dark, she called to her husband, who
Immediately awakened, to feel the cold
muzzle of revolver against his tenn
pie. Mr. Webster jerked his head to
one side just as the gun was fired, thus
escaping instant death. Mrs. Webster
started to get out Of bed, when a second
shot was fired, the bullet piercing her
body.
Having no weapons to defend him
self with upstairs, Mr.. Webster jumped
from his bed, gave the miscreant q
powerful thrust against the wall, and
started for the ground floor. in search
of something with which to fight. He
was pursued by his assailant, where
upon scuflle ensued, tables and
chairs being overturned, and in
which the would-be murder dropped
his revolver. Mr.. Webster says
he had the best end of the tussle,
when he was dealt powerful blow
upon the head from slungshot, which
felled him to the floor, dazed. The
criminal made good his escape through
the front door and down across plow-
ed field into the woods, where all traces
were lost.
Sixteen years ago Mr.. Webster had
trouble with wayward son, who left
home, and was not heard from until a
few years ago, when he (Mr. Webster)
was called to Chicago where his son
had met with an accident. in which he
lost his right leg. Several weeks ago
the son, whose name is Dewitt, came
home on a visit. Last Tuesday Mr.
Webster brought him to Hicksville to
take the train for Chicago, at which
city be claimed to have employment.
1t is said by grocer at Pattons, q
station four miles west of that city,
that young Webster left the train at
that place, and had been seen lurking
in that vicinity. 1t seems as though
Mr.. Webster had threatened to disn-
herit his son in the bequethal of his
property, and it is believed by many
that the matter was brought up while
the son WAS there on visit, and that
trouble arose, and that the crime was
committed with view of putting MIR.
and Mrs. Webster out Of the way before
they had made their will, which, it
seems, up until this time, had not been
done. Suspicion rested upon the son
as the perpetrator of the deed The
revolver which was dropped in the en-
counter has been identified positively
as being the same one carried by the
son during his recent visit at home. 1t
is 81. .caliber Smith & Wesson revolver.
The shells remaining in the chambers
being too long, the ends of the bullets
had been whitfield of, all of which an
swers the description of the one carried
by him, and the one shown to and han-
died by his several brothers during his
recent visit.
The murderer was thoroughly ac-
quaiuted Will the interior Of the house,
and lis stature and limping walk were
identical with that of young Webster.
The house being dark, he was not seen
in the face, but the tracks made by him
show deformity in the right foot, and
young Webster wears All artificial limb
on his right side. The county has been
secured for several miles around by
posses of indignant citizens, and, if cap
tured, the civil law governing crimes
will not, in all probability, be taken into
consideration.
A pack of bloodhounds was brought
from Latty, O, and placed upon the
track of the desperate. 1t is believed
that the criminal is in hiding some.
where near by, yet it is possible he has
made good his escape on a passing
freight train. Authorities have been
notified in all directions, and he will be
captured, no doubt. Mrs. Webster
cannot live, and will probably die. She
was conscious for a short time only.
Her only remark was; my God,
Henry, l am shot through. fl die,
know who it was that killed me-"
The Websters are highly respectable
citizens and among the wealthiest far.
mers in Defiance county. Dewitt
Webster, who is twenty nine years old,
has been considered a black sheep,
having borne hard character for
years. When he came home he beat
his way on freight train, and was
rather seedy in appearance. There is
good ground to believe that trouble
arose during the recent visit over the
matter Of the will and the refusal OF the
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