Year: 1876

covcry yesterday afternoon that one of
the most fiendish murders of the day
had been committed in our city. The
terrible deed was discovered by Mr..
George H. Andrews. This gentleman,
crossing the marsh which lies between
Fifth street southeast and the Como road.
and while passing through clump of trees
few rods in the rear Of Isaac McNair's
residence on Fifth street, he discovered
the body Of a respectfully clothed man,
living upon his face, dead.


Without stopping to make any per-
sonal examination, Mr.. Andrews hurried
to police headquarters and notified Capt.
Hog and Coroner Chilstrom, who with
number Of other persons Immediately
proceeded to the spot indicated by Mr..
Andrews. where the met with sight
that almost froze the blood in
their veins, so terrible and sickening
was the CHASTITY picture.


The body was lying face downward.
complexioned man was disclosed, with
light hair and chin whiskers, apparently
from p to 80 years of age. He was
clothed in suit of black pantaloons,
white shirt with three gold studs and no
collar, a heavy snuff:colored coat. and
probably stood in life about feet 8
inches in height. In one of his pocketsa
wallet, empty, was found, and in the
other an ordinary clasp knife.


An examination Of the body and the
surroundings, showed that the murder
had been committed by two men, the
principal instrument used in committing
the terrible deed being a thoroughly
sharpened knife. The first cut, evidently,
was on the back part of the neck, nearly
severing the head from the body. An
other on the left side Of the neck, sever
ing the jugular vein and cutting across
the left jaw, leaving the roots of the teeth
exposed. While these terrible wounds
were being inflicted, either of viii ch
would have produced death, the murder
ed man must have fought desperately, as
both his arms bear several wounds laying
the flesh open to the bone, received un-
doubtedly in attempts to ward off the
blows. The latter injuries were alone
sufficient to have caused death from
he1norrhage.


The exact time Of the preparation of
this terrible deed of blood cannot be told.
further than that it was since the snow
of Friday, probably Saturday or Sunday.
AS said above, it was evidently commit
ted by two men, the tracks in the snow
showing three men entered the grove,
while there were but two leading out from
the fatal spot, where within fifteen feet
of where the body lay, the knife with
which the horrible deed was committed.
was found.


After completing the slaughter the two
lends left the grove, returning nearly the
way the three entered, in doing so pass.
ing closely to dwelling houses, and NOV.
ing directly to small gate in one of the
enclosures leading direct to the street,
thus showing that they were familiar
with the locality.


This morning the body was brought to
the undertaking establishment of Warner
& McCleavc, and laid out for identifica-
ton. 1t was not long before this was done
hT his former employer Mr.. " orthingham
THIS man is a dealer in wood and coal
and has an Office on the corner of Fourth
avenue south. He says the murdered
man went here by the name of Gus Erick.
son, and had been in his employ since
September last, driving q wood cart. He
was good workman, but after his davis
work was over, he would go off and drink.
sometimes remaining out all night, and
frequently not returning for day or two.
On the 18th of this month he dischareed
him and paid him all that was due, which
was the small sum of SIS. On Tuesday
last about 4 P. N. he met Erickson on
the corner of Fourth avenue south and
Third street, and talked with him.. He
said that Erickson was single man. and
that on the day of the murder had 800
with him.


ARREST OF SUPPOSED MURDERER.


A man bv the name of T.;nou;st h,s