The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-10-13
MURDER /!
Daisy Smith Found Near Sc
linsgrove Junction With
Her Throat Gut From
Ear to Ear.
William Grissinger Arrested Charg-
ed With the Crime.

W WHY VIC VI ihlS'
Again wehave therecord ofa cold
and inhuman murder. On Monday
forenoon only two miles from Selins-
grove junction, Daisy Smith was
murdered in cold blood by an inhu-
man wretch whose worst penalty is
too easy for such character. Daisy
is only l6 Or II years old and on
Monday her father, having a sick
horse, sent Daisy out to gather some
Sweet Fern for the sick horse. 1t
was almost noon and the girl failed
to put in an appearance and so search
was made and the dead body of the
girl was found lying prostrate in
death under a large -chestnut tree.
Her throat was cut from ear to ear
so that the back bone was visible
and several loads of shot from shot
gun had pierced her beautiful form.
The distracted father sounded the
alarm and the neighbors focked in
from all sides. There was one ex-
ception to this ; it was William
Grissinger. He was seen washing
as two men passed his house. The
two men walked in to the house and
saw him washing his bloody hands
and his shirt was covered with 10
or 20 blood spots, and the evidence
visible that II bloody hand had been
drawn across his clothing over his
stomach. The men say that they
did not know they had Il right to take
him without a warrant. They ask
ed him why he did not 90 down to
help Smiths. Grlssinger replied
that he had no business there. He
also told the men that they should
not connect him with the murder.
On the strength of this Grissinger
was arrested and after the inquest
was taken to the Sunbury Jail where
he was kept until Tuesday when he
was needed for the hearing. The
father of the girl is Henry Smith, a
farmer in comfortable circumstances,
who owns Il small farm near the
Junction. He is the father ofseven
daughters including the one who
now lies the victim of one who
should he tortured to death in the
most cruel way conceived b. the
most active brain of the most cruel
wretch living.
William Grissiuger, the suspect,
is only Is years old, his father is a
poor man. The father some years
ago married widow by the name
of Keiser. Mr.. Grjssinger had some
children and Mrs. Keiser had some
children. One ofMrs. Keiser'ssons
is attending school at Susquehanna
University and is apromising youth.
The young suspect, who is now in
the tolls of northumberland county,
not long ago was convicted and SEN
fenced to 80 days service in Jail for
abusing a girl in that nelghborhood
and hitting her with pine knot.
He was tried only for assault and
battery, but it is asserted that he
was guilty of attempted rape, but
out of respect for his father that
charge was not pressed in the trial.
He was released from Jail only a few
days ago and now the supposition is
that hs was out hunting and spying
the beautiful young girl in her
sweetness and innocence plucking
the sweet fern, his passions again
became the ruling spirit and while
he doubtless had the gun for hunt
ing purposes, when the maid spurn-
ed his propositions, hisgun was used
to bring her to the ground and ra-
zor did the balance fhis dirty deed.
1t had been his cherished boast ac-
cording to the statement Of the
neighbors that should he attempt an
act similar to the one connected with
his former conviction he would de-
stroy all evidence Of his guilt. It
MIGHT he said here that the officers