Year: 1872

A woman Murdered In the nOOus.
From the Pittsburgh Commercial.l


The vicinity OF Johnstown, Cambria
county, is at present startled by the
discovery of one Of the most fiendish
murders that has been committed in
this State for years. The name OF
the unfortunate victim is unknown, or
at least the remains had not been
identified yesterday, at which time one
of our reporters visited the scene OF the
bloody deed. The body, that OF a
female, was first seen on Friday morn
ing by John Shriver, resident Of
Johnstown, lying on the side Of noun
tain, on the lands Of the Cambria Iron
Company. He, it appears 10 the
evidence, had been out fox hunting,
when one OF the dogs he had with him
got upon the track of man in the
snow. The dog followed it and Mr..
Shriver continuing in the course pur.
sued by the dog came to the dead body
of woman, evidently about forty-fve
years Of age. 1t was some distance
from the place TO the nearest house,
and Mr.. Shriver at once proceeded 20
alarm the people During his absence
from the body, some person, yet un-
known, covered it with brushwoOd and
leaves and set them on fire. When
NJ SI,riyar opj pop, a ,a,snna m u bOm
he had communicated his discovery,
returned to the spot the fire was still
smouldering. After removing the body
from the fire the party separated and


SEARCHED THE MOUNTAIN GoRGEs
in the vicinity in hopes Of discovering
the Murderer, but their efforts were not
rewarded with success.


Mr.. J. A. Harold, the coroner OF
Cambria county, was notified OF the
finding Of the body, and empannelled
jury for the purpose of holding an in.
quest. The body was viewed at the
place where it was found, alter which it
was placed in coffin and taken to Mr.
Block undertaking shop in Johnstown.
Near where the remains were found
there was picked up a tuit OF bloody
hair, pair Of spectacles, two combs, a
white handkerchief and full set oi
artificial teeth. These articles are now
in possession Of the coroner.


On Saturday an inquest was held,
when the following testimony was
elected;


TESTIMONY BEFORE THE CORONER.


John Shriver, sworn-Ou March 1t
| started and got the team to haul
wood hauled two loads, and the third
load my dog went with me; put the
horses in the stable and told my father
| was going after a fox; let with the
dog and went toward Mr. Clicks; when
| got there l heard the dog in the direc.
ton the woman was murdered got
there about halfpast ten stopped about
one hundred yards from where the
woman was; the dog continued on; had
a pup with me, and he followed a man ?
track that led to where the woman was
found followed the dog to where some
blood was; found a piece OF hair aud two
hair pins; the hair was bloody think
the deed was done on the night Of the
29th OF February; noticed the track of
man at that place and time; found
the body on fire when we returned did
not see any person that | suspected as
guilty Of the deed the murder was
committed on the lands Of the Cambria
Iron Company; the body was found
about one and half miles southeast OF
Mineral Point; there were


MARKS OF STRUGGLE


on the ground; the tracks which led
away from where the woman was
found were first north and then north
east the track was eleven and one-half
inches in length / observed that de
ceased wore gum shoes, the body was
set on fire between the time | was there
first and the second time | came; the
fire was not large when we came back
the second time; there was enough
wood on the body to have consumed
it; there was no fire there the first time
| was there; | was very much fright
ened; had shot gun with me; the big
| dog was after fox; | came down the
opposite sid OF the hill from where the
murder was committed; am certain it
was a premeditated murder; ] have no
idea who either Of the parties were the
murder was committed in Conemaugh
township, Cambria county, Pennsyl-
vania


John Ford, sworn-I was along with
the last witness when deceased was
found; it was March lst, 1872, abont
about | P. NJ, on the lands Of the
Cambria Iron Company; the body was
that OF a female; could not tell any
thing in regard 10 her age.


THE BODY WAS on FIRE


when we came on the ground; the body
was found three-quarters OF mile east
Of Mr.. Samuel Reighards seen one set
Of artificial teeth, little piece of white
woolen comfort, a pair OF spectscles,
two back combs and side combs, gum
garter and alarge sewing needle; also
a small piece OF apple found on the log
where they had been setting; was
along when the track leading to where
the woman was found was measured it
was eleven and one-balf inches long;
/ noticed that the track was fresh. !
believe the woman was murdered; ]
noticed blood on the ground; it was
sixteen feet from where the pool OF blood
was TO where the body was found; !
have no suspicious who the guilty party