The true northerner., 1899-05-17
MURDERER OF THREE
Joseph Harvey, Of Howard City, Kills
His Wife, Uncle and Grandmoth-
er-Wounds Two Others.


Howard City, May 12.-Joe Harvey,
a man about 30 years of age, committed
a series OF crimes near here Wednesday
night and Thursday morning that are
unparalleled in Michigan's history.
He killed his wife, uncle and grand
mother, attempted to kill his baby,
wounded his father-in-law, shot at and
missed Mrs. Schlaber, neighbor who
was assisting the family, and finally
tried TO kill himself.
Harvey lived with his uncle and
grandmother, who had brought him
up from childhood, their home being
one mile north of town. The uncle's
name was Robert Pierson, and Harvey's
grandmother, Mrs. Pierson, was 20
years old. The murderer, who was EN-
ployed in the sideboard factory, went
out 10 the house about seven o'clock
Wednesday evening. He claims he
found his uncle and his grandmother
engaged i'm a quarrel. Harvey says he
attempted TO interfere, when his uncle
stabbed and killed the old lady. Then
Harvey drew revolver and shot his
uncle dead. The appearance of the
bodies does not bear out Harvey's story.
Robert Pierson was found sitting in
chair and he had evidently been shot
without warning. After shooting his
uncle Harvey stabbed him three times.
Mrs Pierson had evidently retired for
the night. and was attracted to the
room where the tragedy was enacted
by the shooting. She evidently made
desperate struggle for her life, as the
walls and floor of the room are covered
with blood. She had been stabbed
many times.
After completing his work at the
Pierson residence Harvey returned
home and changed his clothing, and
shortly afterward, with his wife and
baby, started for the home of John
Laganslayer, his father-in-law, two
miles south of town. Mrs. Laganslayer
died Wednesday morning, and the
young couple had arranged to spend
the night at the homestead. Mrs. Har-
vey decided to sit up with the body
of her mother, and her husband and
ing at the Laganslayer house occurred
about four o'clock Thursday morning.
Harvey walked into the room where
his wife sat by the side of her mothers
body and without word fired two
shots at her. Both took effect and the
woman fell dead. Harvey then fired
shot at his three-months-old baby, the
-, g wi
IDENTIFY taking it for granted that he
had killed the child, he made his way
TO the room occupied by his father-in-
law The old man had no chance to
defend himself, and Harvey fired two
bullets into his body, neither Of which
touched vital point. however. AS
soon as the old man fell TO the floor
Harvey fired Intellectually at Mrs.
Schlaber. He then turned the revolver
on himself and fired, the bullet taking
effect i'm his neck. The wound is not
serious one, and the murderer will re-
cover.
Harvey was arrested Thursday morn
ing. He was cool and collected, and
displayed no emotion. After his ar
r. 81 IOi the iiluTitT OF Ills Mllt ne III
formed the sheriff of the tragedy at
;he picrson homestead. Investigation
proved that his story was true. Har-
vey positively refused to talk about the
murder of his wife or of the attempt
he made on the lives of his baby and
father-in-law 1t is thought he is men,
tally unbalanced and that he was
seized with n murderous frenzy. When
the details of the crime were made
known the people became very much
wrought up, and there has been talk
OF lynching. 1t is not likely, however,
that any violence will be done the muir
derer; the law will probably be allowed
to take its course. Inquests over the
remains of IIarvey's victims were held,
and a verdict charging Harvey with the
murders was returned. IT is said that
Mrs. Pierson had about $500 in cash
in the house. This money has disap-
peared as well as several deeds which
she was known 10 keep in the house.