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jtlOMNE, 111., Dec. 11—Meagre particulars have reached this city ot a most atrocious murder committed this morning about Jour miles from Colon, Henry county, or sixteen miles northeast of this place. The victims were Thos. Dillry, a wealthy farmer, and his wife. They were found by neighborsthis morning under the most startling circumstances. Mr. Dtllry was dead, and his body most frightfully mangled. His wife, though barely alive when discovered, is not expected to live. Suspicion points to two farm hands living near by, one named Clement Gallion and the other known as Albert.1* The only weapon used that has been found is an old spade-handle. What purpose inspired the crime is a matter of doubt. Mr. Dillry was known to have in his house a considerable sum of money, but this was undisturbed. The murderers took only two watches, one a lady's silver watch with gold chain, and the other a gentleman’s hunting case. Kvery means has been employed to find the guilty wretches, but up to to-night no trace has been discoverce.Fuller details of the inhuman butch-ury at Colono, III., Friday night supplementing those given above have since been received. Mrs. Dillry, her daogbter Minnie, who is 13 years old, and one of the boys went some distance to a spelling school, leaving Mr. Dillry -and the other little hoy at home. Mr. Dillrv was an extensive stock raiser, and had much to do outside after supper, so that the house was probably left empty for some time. The spelling school party returned about 10 o'clock, soon after which all retired lor the night. Mr. and Mrs. Dillry slept in a bed in the- parlor, Minnie in a room opening into tbc parlor, and the boys elsewhere. Minnie was awakened somehow about midnight, and saw a man lightiig a lamp at her bureau. She covered her hcud in her fright, and her icnor must have produced a partial unconsciousness, for she can recall nothing for a brief interval. Atterward she wan aroused by groans in the parlor, and sprang tip. She rushed into the other room, wheie the terrible spectacle met her gaze of her dead lather, with a pistol-shot in bis eye, her mother insensible, her head beaten and battered 1 almost beyond recognition. The girl ; aroused her young brothers, and the three- fled through the night to the house of a neighbor two miles away. The news was soon spread, and the neighbors gathered at the home of Mr. Dillry. Mrs. Dillry lived about eighteen hours, dying last night.The -murderers gained access to the^ bouse through the cellar, the door3 oi which were left unlocked. The curtain of a window hsd beeu deliberately raised so that the moonlight might enter and ebme upon the face of the sleeping man. With this light to guide the murderers the pistol hud been placed close to the eye. The shot necessarily aroused Mrs. Dilley, and she was assailed with a shovel handle and beaten uotil her head was broken in. The evidence almost amounts to proof that the murderers ' were two tramps who had been employed by Mr. Dilley busking corn. They knew the house, did not arouse th« dog, and one of them waa known to buy a single-barrel pietol a few days ago. Only two watches were taken. Although it bad been reported that the murdered man had S 1,000 in the house, this was net the case.
Newspaper Details
Decatur Weekly Republican
Decatur, Illinois, US
Thu, Dec 16, 1880
Page 8
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
IL, USA 02 Feb 2022
Other Publications Near Decatur, Illinois
Decatur Daily Review
Decatur Morning Review
Decatur Evening Herald
Decatur Republican
Decatur Weekly Republican
