Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-01-07

Detroit. Mich. Jan. 6.-The disrnon-
bered body Of Rev. John II. Carmich-
ael. Methodist minister. was found
today partially consumed by hre IN this
two heating stoves OF one OF his three
churches near Columbus i'm the south
western part of st. Clair county.
Clues Difficult to Obtain.
Investigation was begun at once to
clear away a temporary uncertainty az
to the identity or the victim and 10
obtain clues regarding the murderer
and the motive FOR the crime. Iidenti-
tication of the dead clergmynssn was
soon effected by OrVills LINDSAY. who
was sent to the church for the pur-
pose by Mrs Carmichael. who had
been i'm great distress since her hus-
band failed to return home. as expect
ed. last evening. She surmised that
the minister was the victim as soon
as she heard the report that some one
had beer Murdered in the Columbus
church But clues Of the murderer and
his motive we're more difficult 10 oh
tain.
Mary Rumors Ahost
There was a rumor that strange
man had left a train at Hickey late
Yesterday and was directed to the Co
lumbus church. and there we're other
rumors indicating that two men were
implicated iu the crime. The fact that
several coins were found I'm the cloth
ing Of the dead man and IN the ashes
or the stoves preclUded the theory ~
robbery, and at the time Of his death
it was not known that the murdered
minister had an enemy i'm the world.
Pastor of Three Churches.
Bev. Mr. Carmichael had been IN
Michigan about ten years. and for two
years had been pastor Of the three
churches at Columbus Adair and Chi
ma. With shis wife and three children,
he resided i'm Adsir. Leaving home
yeeSterday morning. he told Mrs. Car
michael that he was going to Columbus
TO arrange for a series Of revalvel
meetings there. He waved his hand
amectionstely 10 q group Of children
as he drove out or the village NJ Adelr
and from that moment all trace Of him
is lost
Evidence Of Fierce Struggle.
Myrou Brown. who lives near tire
scene OF the tragedy. vas the first 70
discover the crime today. While hs
was waiting at the cross roads to keep
an appointment. the cod wind drove
him 10 seek shelter iu the church. he
was surprised to find the church doors
unlocked and upon opening them was
terrified to see the church floor the
peWs and even the communion table
bloody clothing scattered all around.
Evidently the clergyman. who was SO
years old and Of athletic build had
made a terrific struggle for his life.
Authorities Hurry to Scene.
Without investigating further Brown
fed TO his home whore he had a key
To the church He returned and look
ed the doors and hurried 10 the vii
lage of Hickey. from whence he .noti-
fed the sherlff's office at Port Huron.
The authorities on their arrival Al
the church found parts or the dis
membered mody in the tWo stoves To-
Gated respectively at the front ard
rear and discovered in one stove ths
head Of what was apparently new
hatchct. the handle OF which had besn
burned off. A GiG'5 was also found IN
the church and f. Is believed that tbs
dirk served FOR the murderer, for ths
hatchet was used 10 cut the body TO
pieces
Minister'S Horse Found Tied to TWss.
The minister's horse was found to-
day tied 10 a tree In the village Of
Pine River. the dead mans ovsrccat
being discovered in the buggy. Pins
River is q small village near Thorn
ton ON the main line Of thu Grand
Trunk railroad and fully 20 miles
from the scene of the murder.