Year: 1874

A correspondent describing the mur
der of whole family in St. Clair Co :,
Ill, says:


The house in which the murder took
place is an ordinary one story frame,
containing two rooms and kitchen, With
porch in front The building stands
back about seventy FIVE feet from the
road and is somewhat isolated, there be
ing no other house nearer than half a
mile-a circumstance which made it
exceedingly safe for the perpetration Of
the heinous crime


The scenes which met the gaze of the
Sheriff and his associates On entering the
house almost begger description. Stretch
ed out on the floor near the front door Law
the PROSTATE form of Friedorich, Stelren-
rede, jr., With his skull mashed to a Jelly
and his throat cut from ear to ear, ard
on the bed lay his young wife with her
head horribly msngled and her throat
cut also, while in her arms and closely
grasped to her bosom was her innocent
babe, only eight mouths old, with aa ugly
cash in its head little further removed
on the same pallet lay the other child,
killed by blow on the left temple cold
and liieless. Ia the adjoining room the
body Of Friederich SteIzenriede, Sr.,
seventytive years Of age, was found with
his face toward the door, his head horribly
mutilated and nearly severed from the
body


Everything in the room seemed to be
in perfect order, though it was clearly
apparent that fierce and vioIeut conflict
had taken place between the assassin aud
the victims, as marks of violence were
found on the arms and hands Of Mrs
Stelzenriede, while her husband had one
Of his fingers almost cut off The children
and the old man seemed to have been
butchered with more ease, since ouly the
heads of the former aud the head and
throat of the latter exhibited the marks
Of the murderous instruments used


It appeared FROM the evidence Of the
neighbOrs and friends of the unfortunate
family that a bitter ieud has existed for
some time past, on account of money
matters, between the SteizenrieGer family
aud one friedrich Boetz, whose vile is
ii sister Of the murdered moman. Boeltz
II is said, borrowed money at different
times from the Stelzenriedes, snd gave a
chattel mortgage on his property to secure
the amount. 1t is further stated that for
several months past he has been exceed.
iDgly embarrassed in his business affairs,
aud being pressed by his relatives for the
debt, became quite offended, refused to
speak to them and also forbade his wife
to visit or have any communication with
her sister.


All these circumstances having been
developed during the investigation, the
coroner concluded TO send for Boe!iz and
let him tell his story to the jury. Boeltz,
on being notified, refused to appear,
urging want Of time as an excuse but
when a subpoena was served on him by
the sheriff aud he was brought by force
to the house, he appeared quite agitated
and even refused to look at the dead be-
fore him. On being que,tioned in regard
to the murder he was exceedingly guarded
and cautious in his answers and very
artfully avoided eliminating himself


The evidence would seem to indicate
that BOeltz had some knowledge of tho
horrible crime, though it is possible that
when the Investigation takes place in the
court be may be able to clear himself of
any suspicion.


At meeting Of the Board of Com
missioners of St Clair county a reward
of 81 900 was offered for the arrest aud
conviction of the murderers.