The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1898-07-08
THE HARRISBURG MURDER.
From the Guard:

Harvey SommerviIle srriyed in Eu
gene laet evening and this morning
Guard reporter learned the followin
particulars concerning the killing d
Charles Turner by 7. M. MeGrAth:
In the first place, Mr.. s. said, he was
satisfied that the young man was mur-
dered in cold blood and without any
proyocation whatever; that he was satis.
fed that Turner had not been to tie
AcGrath house in five months.
About two months ago McGrath met
young Turner and abused him and &C
cused him Of making trouble in his
family. A abort time after this Turner
got letter through the postoAice, sign
ed M" warning him that they (prob-
ably meaning himself and Mrs. Nc
Grath) had been detected aud he must
not come to the house sgain. Then in
about wrek McGFath came and gave
Turner letter addressed to him, saying
he had found it in the road with q one
cent stamp on it. This letter warned
him to leave the country; that they we're
suspected and that hfs. EeGrath and
himself would sooo be killed. Advised
him TO never come to the house. This
letter was unsigned.
He showed these letters to Mr.. Som
merville and Willard Simmons, and thew
thought they were written by McGrath.
Since that time McGrath had abused
the boy twice, and then several times
proiessed the greatest friendship for him
and invited the young man TO bis home.
At one Of the interviews, when MeGrath
was abusing Charley, Mrs. McGrath ap-
peared on the scene and invited him to
her home, saying she owned t.. Nc
Graih got very angry and told her to 20
home, that she was crazy. a month
ago he told Willard Simmons be had
nothing whatever against Turner.
Yesterday morning about 9 o'clock, q
son OF McGrath came TO Mr. sommer-
viIle's place and wanted to borrow some
money, so. for his father, who, he said.
was going to San Francisco. Mr.. s. lei
him haYe il. While they we're vet tax.
ing McGrath Sr. came in sight and the
yoanger AcGrAth told Harvey NOT to
tell him his mission. McGrath Sr. came
up and wanted TO know their converss-
ton, when he was told that it was about
he con intending to commence work for
him after the Fourth. McGrash then
pulled out q letter which be claimed he
had received from San Francisco, and
wanted Harvey to read it. At frss be
refused, bat finally consented. The let,
ter was poorly written and pretended to
have come from soldier boy. Ii Ftated
he had heard he vss having trouble
With Turner and his wife; that be had
written Charley q letter to give him q
scare; that he would soon come home
and fx up all matters.
Then be told Mr.. Sommervilie that be
wanted 70 zee Turner few minutes. He
vent into the field where he was having
and the two men walked OF together,
he was seen to give the letter to Chariey
and heard TO commence abusing him
An ireE Spinggaie heard Charley fell
him to 20 Away that he wanted no
trouble with him, and he repeated this
again. Alter this Spinggate noticed Nc
GrAth reached for his pistol and also mo-
tioed Turner start 70 run away from the
man, when. he drew the pistol and fred
striking Charley in the hack, the bail
lodging in the heart. He never uttered
9 ECrd after the fatal shos, falling on his
face aud only breathed Cnee or tEice.
Splnggste rushed in and grabbed Me-
Graih. taking the pistol iron him, say
ing: "You have killed the boy." Me-
Grzth answered: Let me have the pie
toi, d-n him, will finish him." AZ
terwards be claimed he did not intend
to kill him bat to shoot him 10 the legs.
The Turner and Me(irzIh families
we're On very friendly terms and corree-
ponded night along. The eldest son Of
the AcGrsth's aged Ie years wss . warm
friend OF Charley Turner. McGrath and
his vile have had troable for some time.
IL appears that Mrs Metirsth paid oil Q
mortgage OF $50 against their land from
inheritance money and thereupon ebe
vas decided the land By her husband. For
several months he had wanted the land
decided back but she refused without her
$500 we're forthcoming.
Thepeople in the immediate vicinity
Of the homicide are terribly shocked
over the unfortunate affair. They are
unanimous in condemnation Of McGrzth
all believing in the boys entire inno-
cence.
The body of Charles Turner the unfor-
tunAte victim, vas brought here last
night At IL :25 O'Clock hy loving friends.
The funeral took place this afternoon
from the family residence 10 the Muikey
cemetery. being largely attended.
The family have the heartfelt SYM
paths OF ali our citizens.
To CURE A AC1L1 IN ONE DAY
rsxs LtI ssiv, 3-,aIQ ltns Tablet
all o uS ,isss rstL Els "a ,asy nit fai
Cure. 25c-