Stillwater Valley Gazette

November 16, 1871

MURRAY, JOHN - Another Murder in Miami Co. - Disgraceful Tragedy in Newton - The Murderer Eats Dinner With His Victim, and then Murders Him in Cold Blood - It is scarcely two weeks since one of the most horrible murders took place in Tippecanoe City, and now the peace-loving citizens of this fertile county are again excited by another, more revolting than the former one. Shortly after dinner time, on Saturday last, John Cecil entered the groggery of one "Bob" Seng, in Pleasant Hill, and inquired of the wife of the proprietor for something to eat. She told him that she had just been to dinner, and invited him to the back part of the building to have something. Seeing one John Murray in the room he asked him to go with him and take a bite. Together the pair repaired to the room and there refreshed themselves with a hearty meal. Returning to the store room, Murray encountered Clay Walker and a fierce altercation ensued, Murray shoving Walker back against the partition which separated the barroom from the grocery store. Walker being a small man, and having no show against such an antagonist as Murray, Cecil seemed inclined to take his part. Walking to the front part of the door, he armed himself with a bar of wood some three or four feet in length, by about two by three inches in thickness, and advanced behind Murray, and right in front of Walker, swinging the bar as he advanced. THE FATAL BLOW was given, striking Murray on the back of the head near the top, fracturing the skull and causing portions thereof to enter and so injure the brain that he became insensible immediately, and dropped to the floor as if shot to the heart. Hearing the fracas, the parties in the adjoining room repaired to the scene of the tragedy, just in time to see Cecil return the bar to its place beside the door, but not in time to see the deed committed. Consequently Walker was the only witness of the act, and the proprietor being upon the floor in a state of beastly intoxication. A Coroner's inquest and post mortem examination were held, and, in default of $2000 bail, Cecil was immediately, sent to the county jail. Being so stupified by the atrocity of the crime, the spectators were speechless and motionless, for the time being, but as their senses resumed their sway, they picked up the dying man and carried him to a shed in the rear, and early the following morning he breathed his last. It is said that Cecil and Murray had an old grudge existing between them; if so, it would look as if the deed was committed with malice prepense, aforethought. If this is proven, it will be a case of murder in the first degree. Both were married men, Murray having a wife and children, and Cecil a wife, from whom he has been separated for some time. If Cecil's intention was merely to separate the two parties, he could easily have done so without using any weapon whatever. He is a large and exceedingly strong man, whereas Walker is quite a small man, and Murray totally incapable of coping with such a man as Cecil. Perhaps Covington may be visited by some such scene as this, when such rowdyism as occurred a few weeks since is allowed to go unpunished by the law.

Miami Union

November 18, 1871 

MURRAY, (FIRST NAME NOT GIVEN) - Homicide at Pleasant Hill - Pleasant Hill, Nov. 14, 1871 - Ed. Miami Union:--Our quiet little village was thrown into a great state of excitement last Sabbath morning by a report that a man had been murdered in the saloon kept by Robert Seng on Saturday evening.  On inquiring it was learned that some four or five persons were in the saloon drinking when a dispute arose between two of the party and while they were engaged in scuffling, a man named John Cecil picked up a bar of wood, used for fastening the door, and struck one of the men, named Murray, over the head inflicting a wound that caused his death in a few hours.  The murderer was arrested and is now confined in the County jail.  What reasons he may have had for committing this deed, if any, he keeps to himself.  Not an angry word had passed between him and Murray previous to the time he struck him.  Both had sealed their friendship in a glass of liquor a short time before the murder.  The feelings of the citizens were aroused to such a degree that they determined to rid the village of this nuisance.  And pursuant to agreement met at the Town Hall this morning for that purpose.  The meeting was called to order, and J. K. Teeter, was selected as Chairman and S. E. Couch as Secretary.  A committee of five was appointed to draft resolutions to bring before the meeting.  After an interval of a few moments the committee returned and offered the following resolutions which were unanimously adopted:

FIRST, That the house now kept by Robert Seng is hereby declared to be a nuisance to Pleasant Hill and vicinity.  Therefore be it

Resolved--That we the citizens of Pleasant Hill and vicinity ask and recommend that the said Robert Seng and Wife do stop the selling of Ale, Beer,Wine, Cider or any intoxicating drinks as a beverage in said village or vicinity.  And be it further 

Resolved--That we do firmly bind ourselves to prosecute any person or persons who may engage hereafter in the sale of intoxicating drinks as a beverage in the village or its vicinity to the full extent of the law.

The above resolutions received the signature of every one present.  A committee of five was appointed to wait upon Mr. Seng and inform him of the action the citizens had taken in regard to his establishment.  The committee was also authorized to purchase what liquor he had on hand and pour it into the street, which they did in a workman like manner.  The citizens are aroused to a sense of duty, and they will not have much sympathy for any one who attempts to sell poison in this community again.                                   S. E. C.

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