Year: 1867

From the Cleveland Leader, l4tb


We are this morning called upon to record
one of the most frightful tragedies which has
ever been enacted in our city. A man named
Franz Floren, living at No. 2S Minnesota street,
murdered hisswife with an axe, last evening,
about o'clock The mind recois with horror
from the appalling details, and we would fatn
draw veil over the fearful scene OF such tnhu-
man brutality.


The victim of the tragedy-a middle-aged
woman named Eliza Floren-was sitting at
home, engaged in sewing upon garment for
against her life. He had been lying, during the
evening, upon bed made up on the floor, in
the hall adjoining the sittlngroom. AT the
time mentioned above, he arose procured an
axe, and entered where his wife was seated,
her back being towards the door. AS the door
opened she turned partly round, and he tmme-
diateIy struck her two blows, one upon each
side OF the head, laying open the skull She
staggered forward a few steps, the blood stream
ing from her frightful wounds, and fell sense
less upon the door, To make sure of his deadly
work the Incarnate fiend then drew a sharp
knife or razor, and inflicted two terrible gashes
across her throat. He then dashed out of the
house, leaped over the fence, and endeavored to


There are three children in the family, the
Oldest being girl, nine or ten years of age
They were in the room at the time of the COM
mission of the deed, and their screams aroused
the neighbors. who rushed to the scene. Those
who were hrst to arrive saw the murderer run
was Immediately given. While portion re-
mained to attend to the bleeding victim, and
do, II possible something for her relief (for she
still showed signs of life) messengers were des-
patched for surgical aid and Others Joined by
TWO or three policemen, started in pursuit of
the murderer He was arrested in less than an
hour, taken to the Station House, and safely
lodged in one of the cells.


The room which was the scene OF the murder
presented q horrible appearance-one that
would appal the stoutest heart. The woman
lay upon the floor in pool of blood, uncon-
scious but family breathing. Near her lay the
bloody axe-the instrument of death Two or
three surgeons soon arrived and made an eX-
animation of the wounds. The skull was
found TO have been penetrated on both sides of
hnfN fNapla -
length. The cuts upon the throat were also
three or four inches long, but not deep-the
jugular vein not being severed. She was still
barely alive at the latest accounts but there
was no possible chance for her recovery, and
her death was momentarily expected.


The cause of the diabolical deed is not fully
known. Floren, who is plasterer by trade,
has been for some time past much addicted to
intemperance. Although he is said to be q
quiet, inoftenstVe man when sober, when pos
harsh and abusive to his wife and children.
Some time ago his wife entered complaint
and had him arrested for drunkenness and
abusing his family. This incensed him against
her, and seemed TO engender feeling OF hatred
which at length eliminated in this terrible
constantly under the influence OF liquor, on
account of which his relations with his family
had been more than usually unpleasant and
maddened by whisky, his brain ''set on fire Oi
He is a man Of medium height, about thirty
eight years OF age.


His countenance does not reflect the fierce
passions which ragged in his heart, and from
his appearance person would not imagine
him TO be capable of such damning infamy


before Judge Abbey, in the Police Court room
on Monday