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Trial of James Monroe for the Mur- , dar of Caroline Unbenhour—Verdict of Harder in the Second Degree.Oar readers have not forgotten the fearful murder which was perpetrated near the village of Yellow Springs, in tliiacoanU, in the early part of December, 1803. The trial of the murJcrer, Joshua Monroe, basjnsi been completed. He was found guilty of murder in the second degree; bat before we recite any of the particulars of the trial, il will be well to refer briefly to lbs circumstances of the trage-Aj.On Tuesday, December 8th, 1863, tho people of Yellow Spring? and vicinity, were fhocked with a report that a wornao had that day been murdered in cold blood, and thru her body was at that time lying in thccemetrry t short distance from the village. A number of person* hastened to the spot indicated, and found the report to be true. The form of the woman, Caroline Cobenhour, was utterly lifeless, and I a few paces away lay the murderer himself, bleeding profusely from self-liiflicied wounds. He had killed the woman wiib a botcher-knife, and had then attempted to end his own life with the same weapon.On the day «f the murder, Joshua Monroe had been twisting one of his neighbors in slaughtering a lot of hog*. In the evening he was returning home, when he saw two women —the deceased and some other- walking together on s certain road. One of those women left the road and went off in another direction, leaving Caroline Dnhenhour walking alono. Monroe approached the Utter and joined with her in conversation. The two entered the cemetery together.The unfortunate woman had before home Monroe a child, although the two had never been married, both having been belieTon in the baneful xtm of free lova. But she had determined to discontinue the illicit and unholy intercourse of such associations, and had accepted % proposition of marriage from a young gentleman Of the vicinity.This, according to the testimony, excited the ungovernable angerof Monroe, who inquired of her if nhe really meant to marry the young man. She answered him in the affirmative. He asked if anything could be interposed to prevent a consummation of the engagement. fibs replied, unathinf~bvt drefV* whereupon, be fell upon her, like an outcast fiend, and with the knife which ba_ had that day used in butchering, he inflicted wound ofter wound in her abdomen ami in the region of the heart, until life was extinct. JIe*thea cut !«• own throat, and threw the knife away, expecting (o die near the scene of his great crime. Bleeding, hut not dying, he attempted to recover the knife, in order to complete the work ef SBlf-deitraction. Failing to reach this, be pulled the insufficient wound open with his fingers, anj fell upon hia face, in which position he was found by those who came to the cemetery.Such, in brief arc the circumstances of the murder. Monroe was immediately arrested, and brought to the jail in this city, where be has remained for the Inst year. On Thursday of last week the trial commenced in this city, on an indictment for murder in tho first degree. The state was represented by E. H. Manger, Prosecuting Attorney, The prisoner appeared in person, Messrs. Howard and Carey acting a* his counsel.The following persons were elected juror* to try the case: Henry C. Ilegler, James Hopping, William Bullock. Hebron Ballard, William B. Hardy, John Smith, Jacob P. Te-tersou, Jacob Sutton, David Gin**, Joseph Templar, David W. Jam?*, Andrew FI- Dean. Several witnesses were examined on either side,able arguments were made br the respective counsel, the judge delivered an impressive charge to the jury, and after the lapse of a couple of hours, the following verdict was rendered; We the jury do find the defendant aof guilty in manner and form as charged In said Indictment against him; hut do find the drfendant guilty of murder in the second degree.Dnring lb© trial the prisoner manifested signs of insanity. Whether they were real or feigned i» a question which no one seemed able to decide, bat in the circumstance* the Judge thought it best not to deliver the sentence of the law in the case. Accordingly, for the present, Monroe remains in jail. When he receives bis sentence il will be imprison-'I e ment for life In the penitentiary, which seems T mild enough when we consider the circura- | t stances of ihe enormous crime committed.(C
Newspaper Details
The Xenia Sentinel
Xenia, Ohio, US
Fri, Nov 11, 1864
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Greene C.
OH, USA 14 Apr 2023
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