The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1906-05-24
BRU tai MURDER.
An Entire Family Of Nine Killed ]
and Cremated.
CHIME Is M YSTERY.

|
Their Heads We're Crushed bs
Heavy Blow, aud the
House Burned Down.
An entire family, consisting of the
fsJner, Rev. Mr.. Ackerman, who 10 an
itsnerant preacher, his wife and
seven children, the oldest being about
IA years OF age, was murdered and
their bodies cremated in their home,
which was fired by the assassinS in
Santa B )ss county, 10 miles north Of
Milton, Florida, Sunday night.
The crime was discovered the day
after by parties with whom ,Ackermau
mad an appointment, who found the
house mass Of ruins, and the charred
bodies Of Alderman, his wife and sew
en- small children among the wreck
age. Examination Of the bodies by
Dr.. q. g. Eldridge disclosed the fact
that Aokerman and his wife hal been
struck ON the head with some blun6
instrument, their skulls being crush
ed In. The bodies was scattered aoou5
In different parts Of the ruins. T,
Details indicate that the father,
mother and each of the seven child
rem were murdered before the build
ing was fired, as the skull Of each
was crushed. The body of Aokernan
was found near the location Of the
door leading from the bed room In
which he slept, and by his side was
revolver. Tue body OF Mrs. Alderman
who gave birth to Child on Friday
before, was found with that of her
infant child outside Of the sill at tl,e
front of the house. The oldest child
was found near the door leading otsE
to the front porch. Ali Of the bodies
we're badly burned, practically only
the trucks remaining. The bodies OF
three boys were found practically
where tine bad upon which they slept
stood previous to the coufAgration.
When party from Milton reached
the scene about II o'clock the sills Of
the building were still burning, wntca
seemed to indicate that the tirs mad
been star led several hours after mid
night. The country near by is Spar
sely settled the nearest neighbor re.
siding about one quarter OF Q mtle
away. This neighDor says he knew
nothing of the fire until early the day
after when he saw that the building
had been destroyed and notified olher
neighbors bsfore trying to ascertain
the damage. The feeling throuRhout
Santa Ross county is, high over, tho
dastardly deed and every effort ia be-
ing made to spprelend the guilty par
ties.
Investigation brought out the fact
that the crime was one OF the most
brutal on record and has nota parall-
Ell in the criminal annsls Of the state.
II appears taal the six chlldrea were
murdered while In bed, while the par
entS and one hid met death outside
Of the house. Tue cnarred b .oles Of
six children were found In tne ruins
of the house, which had been fir d
soon after the murder. While the
bodies of the parents and one child
were found outside Of the house, and
not burned al all, they were Butcher.
ed beyond recognition. Tuese bodies
were the ones which developed the
fact that murder had prsc ,sasd tho
act of arson.
Officers OF two Counties are endeav-
ing to get q clue TO che mlsoresntS,
but 30 far they have been uosuccess-
full. There is a suspicion Ii soma
quarters that the family was murder
ed by negroes who maks hvlns
travelling from one tutpsntiDe camp
to another, as If this suspicion is
founded on facts aud tue miocreants
are caught, there could be no saliva
zion OF Ghe prisoners by any number
of officers, judging from the feeling OF
the populace OF Santa Ross county, in
which the crime took place.
Ackerman moved to the settlement
which was known as Allentown, from
Opp, Ala, about three years ago, and
has always been considered a good
and peaceful citizan. Mr.. Ackerm an
was a Methodist preacher, and while
he had no regular charge it was biz
custom to pr each occasionally through
out that seotiun of Santa R}sa CUM
ty. BE was not known to nave any
enemies and the motive for the afro.
clous crime Is q mystery. A fund Of
over 81, 900 has been raised by tho
citlzens VI Milton, whicn will be oher-
ed as reward for the apprehension
Of the murderers, and the governor
has been Appealed to to offer reward
on behalf OF the state.
Sc.rns Tainted Cash.
Reeause the college trustees have