The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1901-03-06
CHARGED WITH KIsER'S MURDER.
Henry BOrchert and Sic MOng Lodged
In Jail ON a Charge Of Killing
William KiSer.

Henry Borchert Of Marienville and
Augustus (alias Sic.) Mong, of Iron City,
in Howe township, Forest codnty, were
lodged in Jail at Clarion, Pa, on Thurs
day last charged with the murder of Will
liam Kiser. near Elk City, Clarion county.
The arrests were made by Detective Jack
Cribbs and Sheriff Bird Thompson, the
former making the infol nation charging
murder, but beyond the assurance that
the evidence against the accused is very
strong, will not divulge any information
as to its nature.
1t is understood that "squeeler" in
the pententiary gave up story which
led to these arrests.
At the same time Charles Murphy Jr.,
of Byromtown, this county. was also
lodged in Jail by these officers, on
charge ofhaving furnished the dynamite
which was used to blow up a wall in the
jail by which two prisoners Thomas and
Gordon-were enabled to make their es-
cape. Charles Murphy Sr., father of the
prisoner, was confined in the Jail with
Thomas and Gordon, but failed to make
his escape, it was thought on account of
not being able to crawl out through as
small hole as the others. He is now
serving term in tie pententiary.
The murder of William Kiser was one
of the most atrocious in the history of
Clarion county. The deceased was man
Of about 60 years of age, and lived alone
near Elk City. He was reputed to keep
considerable money in the house and his
murder was committed for the purpose
ofrobbery. On Sunday morning, July 30,
1899, Emanuel Kiser, young man, and
relative of the deceased, passing the house
early in the morning noticed the door was
open, and looked in and found the dead
body of William Kiser on the floor with
the brains beaten out and about the room
were evidences of a struggle. Kiser was
bound hand and foot, but one hand was
free. Flesh had beeu gouged from vari-
Gus parts of his body with a knife, evil
IDENTIFY for the purposes of torturing him
t1 compel him to confess where his money
was hidden. The one hand being free led
to the theory that while the men were
torturing him he had torn the mask from
the face of one and that his murder fol-
lowed that he might not give evidence
against them.
The men, at least two in number, and
probably three, had taken rail from the
fence, used it as a battering ram and
forced the door from its hinges and rushed
to the bed of Kiser and overpowered him
before he could defend himself The
murdered man expected to be visited by
burglars and all kinds of weapons we're
close at his hand, but he mad no chance to
use any of them. The bed was in a small
room, in which was also safe. The
murderers had bound him while in the
bed and carried him to the larger room,
where they proceeded with their efforts Ia
compel him to tell them where his money
was secured.
After the murder the thieves were evil
IDENTIFY panic stricken or alarmed by some
unusual noise. as they left the place with
out securing any money, so far as known
In an inside pocket in the coat the dead
man, which was hanging near the side oi
his bed, was found a roll OF bank notes
amounting to S7S, and in the mattress o
the bed was found sewed several hundred
, dollars. In nail keg and other recepta'
cles about his small house were found
several hundred dollars in gold. 1t was
rumored that he had large amount o
money concealed in belt which he wore
around his waist, under his clothing
which was atolen by the thieves, but i
is not believed that this was correct.
Relatives of the murdered man Offered
reward of 81 900 for the arrest and con
victinn of the murderers, and two persons
who were able to prove an alibi, were ar
rested and released. Detective Cribb:
and his partner have been at work on thu
case since the murder, and the evidence
they will present at the hearing will b'
awaited with interest by the residents o
this and adjoining counties where th,
facts in the case are so familiar.