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Henry Athey’s StatementTh8 rumor has been current for the past week that Henry Atbey, one of the accused murderers of Mary Seneff, had made a confession. This assertion, in the main, is incorrect, and was probably enlarged upon for the purpose of advertising one of the county* papers. Henry Athey has made no confession, either verbally or in writing. At the solicitation of Athey, a couple of gentlemen from this place called at the jail to see him, and while there a statement was made by Athey, who hopes to gain his liberty. Whether it be true or not remains to be proven.Athey asserts that he knew nothing of the murder until Sunday night, June 13th; that after he had retired to bed paritally aroused by some one calling for Ellen (his wife). The call was repeated, and shortly after he turned over in bed and found that his wife not there. He then went to the door but could see no one; heard voices and on going around the corner saw his wife, Alexander Crites and Frank-lin Crites (aged about 15) in conversation. Athey asked what was the matter; he received no reply, and his wife then ran into the house. He followed and demanded to know what was up. One of the two boys then said that Ellen had killed Mary Seneff, and that her body was buried in the ash pile. Mrs. Athey then acknowledged her guilt, and stated that after going home that Friday night from Crites’, and while alone, she asked Mary why she had rapped on the window for Athey on a certain night; that Mary Seneff said it was none of her d—d business, whereupon she flew into a passion, grabbed a poker, knocked her down and then choked her to death. Athey says he told his wife that she ought to be punished, and that her parents must know of the crime that had been committed. She begged of him not to tell them; that it would be the means of killing her mother. Athey says he called them up and told them that the baby was sick; Mrs. Crites said she would come over, but Athey said no; that Crites should come himself. When Crites came over he was apprised of what had taken place; a consultation was held, and David Crites said Athey must assist in disposing of the body; he did not consent to do so that night, but on the next morning it was agreed that on the following night the body should be moved. Mrs. Athey prepared the body for removal by sewing it in a coverlet. After everything had been prepared, Athey attempted to place the body in a wagon and found it was too heavy, and then he was assisted by his wife. Alexander Crites and Athey then took seats in the wagon, but before starting took a big drink of brandy. The reins became entangled and the wagon was almost upset. Daniel Crites rode in front on horseback in order to give the alarm in case any persons were seen on the road. When they arrived at Sugar Creek, Alexander Crites and Athey tossed the body over the bridge into the water. After the, body was found to be so terribly mutilated, Mrs, Athey acknowledged that she had killed Mary Seneff with the ax —the one which Athey was using at the Salt Well. While Mrs. Athey was m the act of killing Mary Seneff, Atji-ey says his second eldest son was awakened and witnessed the murderThe above is in substance Athey’s statement, without kaleidoscopic re touch or elaborate and flimsy senti mentalities, and is given for what it is worth. Since this statement was made public through some of the papers that went to press earlier in the week, Athey denies haviDg inti mated that Alexander Crites was in any way implicated in disposing of the body, or that he told his wife she ought to be hung. In the absence of a confession, signed and sworn to by Athey, these statements will be taken by the public with several grains of allowance. The Argus sees no reason why the law should not be allowed to take its course in this matter, and will endeavor to give only substantial facts a3 they may, from time to time, appear. We are satisfied the intelligent reader wants nothing else, and we shall endeavor to have our reports of this unfortunate affair as accurate as possible. If Athey, David Crites and Alexander Crites are guilty of having aided in the attempt to conceal the crime, there is no law in the statutes of Ohio whereby they may be punished, as the old common law distinction of “accessories before and after the fact” has long since been abolished in this State, and murderers are now known as principals and aiders and abettors, and the latter only be/ore the commission of the act.JiiiOhSimhap is Imas to b one Thr the yeai huu thus wlu sha] witl was by 1 spec fenstheipeo]earleraltiacsynOf Eandtioiithal just re as side con ven Wit ernlt; by i19 a twoPARTiiiserv^witb Cakes, on short
Newspaper Details
Canal Dover Dover Weekly Argus
Canal Dover, Ohio, US
Fri, Jul 02, 1880
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 18 Dec 2023
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Canal Dover Dover Weekly Argus
