The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-09-29
A RECLUSE MURDERED.
One of the FOulest Crimes in the HIS
tory of the County.
WILL NOW BE sIFTED DOWN
And Thoroughly Renovated in Court
Henderson Now In the Penitent'ary
Serving "a Sentence of Eight
Years for Another
Ofrense.

The Indictment Of William Henderson
nv the grand Jury on the charge OF
numbering John Hartong recalls one OF
the blackest and most fendlsh GRIMES
that has ever been recorded in STARK
county. Hartong lived at GreentoWh
and lived olone. He was 81 years OF age
and lived the life of recluse. lie was
reported to have money but no one
knew certainly. On the morning Oh
December 3, 1897, Otto Meyers in going
TO his celery farm heard groans coming
from Hartong's house. He went in
and found the old man wreathinS on the
floor, weltering in his own blood and
talking in a delirious and lncoherent
manner. The old man was assisted
and when he became rational he related
the story of the crime for which VIII
liam Henderson will now be compelled
to stand trial. AS he told it on the night
of December 2, while he was lying
peacefully in bed three men burst open
his door and rushed in upon him. They
demanded his money and when he de-
INJURED they Immediately proceeded to
employ drastic measures. Without
further parley he was dragged from his
bed and thrown violently to the floor.
His feet were tied to the foot Of the bed
by a rope and a second rope put around
his neck and then tied tightly to the head
of the bed. Then his hands were tied
until the cords cut into his old and
withered flesh. All this was done
quickly and without giving him further
chance to tell where his money was
towel was tied over his mouth and one
of the brutes kicked him in the back
several times. An iron wedge such as
is used to split cordwood next came
into play and one of the villains struck
the old man on the head with the
weapon. This brought relief from the
then torture for a few minutes in un-
consciousness. When he came to his
senses again the thieves had evidently
completed their search for wealth and
he heard them comforting as to what
should be done with him. They had Sc
cured his watch and his bank book
showing he had $1,000 in Central Saw
ings bank of Canton and were evidently
about to give up the search for money.
They examined Hartong and one of
them said with an oath he seemed to
be dead. They decided to burn the
house over him thus cremating their
victim and hiding their crime. At this
terrible suggestion, HartOnS, VINO nau
been keeping quiet and feigning uncon-
sciousness made a sign of life to escape
the terrible fate contemplated for him.
This brought the fiends before him
again. Burning having been suggested
they took q lamp and held it to his hip
and burned him till from sheer rain he
again tainted. While they were pulling
his clothes off to apply the lamp they
found a leather belt around his waist
containing $500. This is what they
beating him into unconsciousness again
they departed leaving him tied and well
tering in his own blood.
The money secured from Hartong
was in bills among them being one 800
bill. This was brought to Canton and
changed at Charles Simmons saloon
and was one of the strong clues followed
by the officers at the time.
Hartong was given every attention
that could be bestowed upon him but
the blow on the head from the iron
wedge proved fatal. Hartong fingered
for a week and died.
The county commissioners offered $500
reward for the capture and conviction
of the murderers and some arrests were
made on suspicion but the right parties
had not been secured and nothing came
of it at that time. Detectives have
been doing some work on the case from
time to time and Prosecutor POmerene
has never given up investigating the
case with a view of bringing the dast-
ards who committed the deed to Justice
AS a reward for his constant endeavor
the case now bids fair to be thoroughly
sifted to the bottom.