The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-01-08
Mysterious Crime.

Richmond, Mich, Jan. 7.-Cut II
pieces, the head clearly severed, the
body of Rev. John H. Carmichael OF
Adair was found packed in stove in
the isolated little Methodist church al
| Rattle Run, two miles south of here
| The body was identified by means of
a case for cards and eyeglasses, which
bore the name of the minister. He
was probably killed Tuesday night.
Myron Brown, farmer who takes
care of the church and who lives a
short distance away, went there to
meet a friend. The latter failing to
arrive at the stated hour, Brown STEP
ped into the doorway. He noticed a
window broken. and the door un.
latched.
Gruesome Scene In Church.
Calling to neighbor who was pass
ing, he got him to enter the church
with him. On the floor laid a pair
of trousers, blood stained, and nearby
was a long butcher knife and a dag
ger. Both were covered with blood
partially dried. In one corner was
several pieces of clothing, and there
were signs of fierce struggle having
taken place.
In the old fashioned wood stove,
leading to which were blood stains,
was found pieces Of the body. The
interior of the stove was splattered
with blood.
Brown. reported his gruesome find,
and news of the tragedy spread rap
idly. Crowds soon gathered on the
spot. Sheriff Wagenseil Of Port HUI
ron was notified and, with several
deputies, was soon ON the scene. After
a hurried examination he started
securing the country for suspects.
Rev. Carmichael, who was pastor OF
the churclsas at Adair, China and Rat
ce Run, left his home Tuesday morn
ing about 10 CO ock to make a visit
to his parishioners in the vicinity of
the latter church. He had planned to
hold revival NEE .ngs, beginning Wed
nesday night.
Probably Had Appointment.
None has been found who saw him
Tuesday, and it is not known where
he spent the afternoon. Why he should
have gone to his church. if he did, is
not known, but some have advanced
the theory that he probably had an
appointment with someone, and that
while there he was set upon and
killed.
Robbery could not have been the
motive for the crime, as something
over 50 was found in his trousers
pockets. This amount, it is said is
all that he had when he left home in
the morning.
At Hickey, Tuesday afternoon. a
man who is said to live at Affair and
within few doors of Rev. Carmichael
arrived in on the Grand Trunk train
from Port Huron. He wore a heavy
fur coat and was apparently fifty-fve
or fiftysix years old.
He seemed to be in an angry mood
and acted in sullling manner He
inquired of G. o. Conat, a mail car
rier, the location of the Rattle Run
church, and was told. A short time
later he accosted Thomas Gavin and
August and William Upleger. the lat
ter cousins, who were standing in "a
group, and asked the same informa-
ton.
Directed Stranger to Church.
Conat came along, ana he and Gavin |
to walk part of the way |
to the church with the stranger. The |
three left the station, going in the |
direction of the church. When about |
a mile distant from the building the |
stranger said he could find the way |
and told his informants that they need
accompany him no farther.
Before Conat and Gavin left him,
the man said he had an important ap
pointment with a man at the church.
This was the last seen of him.
The visitor from Adair, who is
thought to be known, will be placed
under arrest as soon as he can be
coated.
The horse and carriage which Rev.
had when he left his home
have been located near Port Huron,
t is said. At the church signs were
'ound which would indicate that the
animal had been tied up and later
lriven away.