Year: 1859

Another Brutal Murder In LIE Seuer Co.
From the St. Peter Free Press Extra of the 26th


We hasten to lay before our readers the
news just received here, of a most brutal
murder committed in LIE Seuer county.


A Mr.. VIM. Furness, who came to st. Pc
ter two years ago this time, has since been re-
siding on claim belonging to Mr. Morris.
OF Kasota. On last Saturday morning he
left home to 60 to KasOta, to execute some pa
pers relating to his occupancy of the claim
He did not return at night as was expected,
yet no alarm was felt for him on account of
his absence, his wife supposing that he had
come to this place, to see friend here, with
whom he came to the State.


Not returning however, on Sunday, nor
yet on Monday, she became alarmed and sent
word to his friend at this place, who went
there on this (Tuesday) morning. In the
meantime one ofhis neighbors had found on
the road, about mile and half from his
residence, fragment of a shirt-sleeve, which
his wife at once recognized by the sewing


A party Immediately proceeded to the spot
where it was found, and after looking about
for some time, rolled over log, and there
found blood on the leaves! They also saw
a mark of blood on another log close by, as
llduC NY pCiSol Ills lllSefS
On the log. After searching about for some
time, they discovered rifle ball embedded in
tree (near the roots) close by, which with
had been had there -


The ball found in the tree, and with which
he was doubtless shot, is one of the Minnie
balls, such as used by the Government lrifes.


They then extended their circle of search,
and soon found the body of the missing mau
in pond, behind log, with another log
thrown over it His head was cut open be-
hind as if done with hatchet or tomahawk,
and there were four holes in his head and one
bullet hole through his body, besides larger
hole in his body sufficient to allow his bowels
to protrude, apparently cut with knife or
spear. Moccasin tracks were distinctly seen
in the bushel near by, and the position of
these tracks, the blood and the bullet hole in
tho tree, seem to plainly indicate that he was
shot from that point by Indians. A ball
aimed from that place to the hole found in the
tree would naturally strike man just about
at the place where he was shot in the body.


1t is supposed the murder was committed
oy small Danu OF lnulans VINO nave been
camped near there for some time past, hunt
ing ducks and small game. Two of them
were seen coming from the spot where the
murder was committed, and were observed to
pick up and carry away something with them
What the object of the murder could have
been, except for plunder, no one can imagine.
The murdered man was poor but industri-
GUS and worthy man; perfectly temperate,
and peaceable. He was paper maker by
trade, and came from Boston here. He was
about 40 years of age, leaves wife and
young child, in destitute circumstances
While coming to the State, he lost what little
means he had. -a. ".a 49,


The Indians who are supposed to have COM
mitted the deed are Sioux, and among them
is brother of Red Iron, with his two sons.
Our own opinion is, that it is more probable
that the murder-if committed by Indians at
all, and of this there seems to be but little if
any doubt-was committed by the Winneba-
goes, in retaliation for most tunprovoked and
brutal attack upon two of their number by an
lrishman who kept grocery, just across the
river from this place, last winter.


THE query arises, how came Indians pos
sessed of minnie balls OF government rifles p