Year: 1869


From the Beltetonteains (Ohio) Republican.


A few minutes before O'Clock on Monday even
self TO the jaior, saying that he had killed the priest
and wanted to be put in jail. A number at once re-
paired TO the house of the priest where they found
him lying dead on the floor, in his blood. The priest
lived in q small brick house in the same yard with
she church, which is located in the extreme south.
kept house for him. She left the house to go to a
neighbors and made some preparations for washing
the next day. On her return she saw man running
from the house., and on her entering, found the
priest, the Rev.J Convey, lying dead by his table.
John Powers, VINO delivered himself up as the muir
derer said that he went to confess to the priest and
that the priest began to abuse him and highly iu-
suited him by telling him that the Protestant religion
was no better than dogs, and that he then drew
his revolver "a Smith Weston siXshooter and shot
the priest he went to the table to snu the CANDLE


The ball entered the priests heed about three
fourths of an inch above and forward Of the ear and
passed through TO the base of the brain, killing him


This horrible affair, the killing of a man in his own
house, in this cold.booded manner, was the tlrsJ
murder ever committed in our town, and naturally
caused great deal Of excitement among all classes
and especially among members OF Father Conveys
own church. There was talk OF lynchng the mur-
derer, but better COunsels prevailed, and we were
not called upon to visit the tragedy that for while
threatened us.


Powers is a single man, about twenty y-cght years
OF age, stout built and OF rather good appearance,
though having a downcast and tTeacherous look.
for the murder p there was and could be no salts
factory answer. The whole affair seemed to be
wrapped In incomprehensible mystery There were
e5nmors that his brother-in-law had difficulty with
the priest before Powers came here, but 1t slight
and not OF q nature to arouse such dabolical pas
HSpns In the breast of a man who appeared so cool
elf-contrOlled. There various suggestions
Dat nothing seemed to meet the case.


Only the facts that q horrible murder had been
committed, and the murderer had given himself up
were clear. Powers said that he went to the priest
with heavy load ON his mind to make confession
and the remarks Of the priest highly insulted him
and started the blood through his veins and he shot
him that II the load hal not killed.him then he
would have done IL some other time Aso that he
went with the intention OF killing the priest If he did
not do as he wanted him to. On the Sunday previous
he made Inquiry on the street to whether they
kept fire in the ja-saying he intended to stay
there&Ais winter.


Tuf Day morning, in company with Mr.. Hubbard
OF ths Gazette, and the ailOr, Mr. Beatty, we went
into the jail to see Powers He introduced the sub
ject OF the murder by remarkng that the killing Of
the priest last night bad affair, wasn't II ~
And on some one asserting, he added ''but it can't
\ be helped now, it's donel The remark was made
in manner as devoid Of emotion or feeling il he
had been speaking OF the killing OF dog, and rs If
: he was not himself personally concerned.
Father Convey was about fifty years old, and has
been priest OF the church here about seven years.


The body was kept till Wednesday forenoon, when
twas buried according to the rites OF the Church,
large concourse OF our citizens attending the funeral
services which were conducted by six priests from
r other places.