Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-07-21
AS 1T NIGHT
HAVE BEEN.

rang cut on the murky air ana caused
a great commotiOn on the usually quiet
street Men ran, hatless. from their
supper tables; women with frightened
faces followed.
What has happened? What can be
the matter" they asked each other.
The cries came from Deans" one
man said, making haste in that direc-
tiOn.
From up and down the street people
came running. and in the dusk they
crowded and hindered each other, and
the opposite streams met and jammed
the gate at Deans. But men leaped
the low pickets and rushed around the
house, for whatever it meant the dis
tuIbaucp was in the back yard.
Almost instantly one came hurrying
back.
..NeigLbors." he shouted. there has
beer. murder done! Mr.. Dean has been
killed. He is lying there, all blood, his
head split with an ak. Somebody go
for a doctor" he called back from the
curEer of the house.
|Police. Polcer' some one yelled.
The increasing crowd Swarmed inside
and oyerran the yard and filled the
house and surged to and fro, excited
and eager for a glimpse of the unfor-
tunatu victim.
Bulletins for the information of the
hLndmpst were sent back, second by
second. from mouth to mouth. by those
nearest the scene Of the tragedy and
whose imaginatiOns supplied them with
their knowledge Of the facts, anu many
were the contradictory statements that
few about and enlarged themselves in
passing. as Is natural and usual
The messengers dispatched for doc
tor and police spread the news as they
ran. and Oh returning heard on the out
skirts Of the crowd that stretched far
up the street that not only Mr.. Dean.
but Mrs Dean and even the two chill
dren had been butcbcrcd in cold blood.
The screams were from the servant
girl. who had found the mansled bod
les, etc.
So does human 1'ature love the hor-
riblc and gIoat over it.
As Mr. Dean was cashier of the bank,
the president and other officers were
notified by swift and willing volun-
teers. and presently they added them
selves and their neighbors to the hui
man mass of excitement and curiosity.
II was at last definitely learned that
no one was hurt but Mr. Dean; that no
one else happened 10 he at home at the
time; that Mrs Dean. returning late
from something somewhere. had found
him lying in the back yard apparently
dead
\ few of the bystanders were so for
tunate as TO get fieeting view of the
inert figure as IL was carried into the
house: and then the police with their
bludgeons undertook to drive out the
crowd
on with you!' they cried. ''If you
stamp and Prance all over the place,
how do you think anybody is going 10
ind a trace of the murdererF
Yah, much good you'll do!' jeered
one.
That's sol Much good you'll dor' re-
peated another, taking it up. I'D like
10 know what the police amounts to
any way when a man can be murdered
IL broad daylight within two blocks of
the square"
we might all be murdered in our
yards and you not know it," said a
third.
1t was not done in broad daylight.
as you know very well; and we are not
expected TO prowl around in back
yards. looking for possible assassins,"
the police retorted hotly. But get out
of here, every one of you: we've got to
search the premises" and with much
tauuting and resisting the mob at last
withdrew.
Reporters for the several newspapers,
the bank officials and q neighbor or
two were allowed TO remain; the may
or, a personal friend OF the family, came
in, and together they awaited in an
outer room the announcement of the re-
suit of the examination by the physi-
clan.
The wound on the head was found
10 extend from forehead TO crown.
The whole bit of the AK" said one
of the doctors; but although 1t was an
ugly cash II did not seem to have pene-
Jrated the skull; and aside from that
there was not bruise or wound of
any Kind on the body.
The man breathed and 1t seemed pos
sible that he might recover II he es-
capped conclusion of the brain.
Having done everything possible for
his comfort and well-being. attention
was turned TO a close examination OF
the place. and everybody concerned, in
hopes of finding something that would
cXplakn the murdcrous attack on DIR.
Dean.
Encouraged by the knowledge that
her husband still lived. Mrs Dean had
recovered her cOmpo>ure. and WAS abe
TO state quite clearly the little she knew
uf the affair. i'll compliance with the
somewhat pOmpous request of the chief
of police. who felt that his hour had
come
1t was late" she began. And /
came home in great hurry: 1t was so
dark that | could not see distinctly
across the street. | hurried i'll and
lighted the lImps. wondering where
-ig. Dean could he The children l did
lot expect home until after tea at their
Sui.tIe's. The sri should have been here.
but was not Mr.. Dean, | knew. had
AID II wIS a surprise TO me IN find the
house dark and no one about"
"DIi you see or hear anything at all
unusual OH the street, or about the
house OF yard as you came in?' asked
tEr chief OF police.
All felt Ihat it WAS very serious oc-
cas.On indeed, and they crowded closer
AID listened with intense interest, the
reporters pencils flying, as Mrs. Dean
s..sW,rod.
No. | noticed nothing unusual about
the place except that the lamps had
not been lighted"
ia" YOU meet any one who might
NY" he asked.