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ELI YOUNG POSSIBLE MURDER
The Eye
March 1899
POSSIBLE MURDER
At between the hours of three and four o’clock Wednesday afternoon, the insensible
body of Eli Young was found in the roadway near Industry. He was discovered by Ed Fry who gave the alarm
and the body was taken into the house of Reece Adams. Young died in about thirty minutes and before regaining
consciousness. A physician was summoned from Industry and he found a scalp wound on the left side of the
head back of the ear. The skull was also fractured.
From exclusive information THE EYE is able to give to it’s readers the following
information. Wednesday morning, Young left his home, near Industry, with a wagon and team, and went to Elliott
McCormick’s farm, four and one-half miles southwest of Vermont, to secure a load of farming implements belonging
to him. McCormick’s home farm is but a short distance south of the tenant house, and Elliott was at the latter
place when he arrived. "Bad blood" has existed between the two for some time past, trouble having
come up when they tried to reach settlement when Young left the farm. McCormick claims that Young was owing
him some money. John Moore, who now resides in the tenant house, met Young and the two talked for a short
time. Moore then went about his business, first telling Young that Elliott had his stuff locked up and intended
to keep it until his claim was settled. Elliott was working in a lot south of the house and Young went that
way to see him. Shortly Moore heard a vicious whack, and turning around saw Young in a reclining position
on the ground, with McCormick on the other or south side of the fence which separated them. He ran to the
fallen man, placed his cap on his head and told him to get up. This Young did, apparently being only dazed
for a few minutes by the blow, which McCormick claims was delivered with his fist. It is a significant fact,
however, that two witnesses affirm that he held a fork in his hand, with which he had been cleaning the stocks
from the ground. After regaining his feet, Young seemed to experience no ill effects from the blow, and he
and McCormick settled their difference, by the former giving Elliott a half ton of hay. Young loaded his
wagon and started home. On the way he stopped and told John Gibble to let McCormick and Moore have the hay
as agreed, and these two gentlemen got it that evening. Mrs. Moore did not see the fray. She says Young
was there from 9 o’clock until a little after 10. Young passed several people on the road home, and as far
as known he spoke to all of them and did not exhibit any wounds. Besides John Moore there were no witnesses
to the combat. The fractured skull is the best witness obtainable that the blow was struck by the fork handle.
It’s position and nature is such as would occur by a man striking a right-handed
blow. Young was standing on the fence at the time, probably half way up, and McCormick claims he struck in
self defense.
The Coroner’s inquest is in session this afternoon at Young’s home.
It’s verdict is awaited with interest, as the prominence of the parties concerned make the affair particularly
disagreeable.
Eli Young was a young man about 35 years of age. He married several
years ago to Ellen Campbell and four children were born to them, two of whom are living. Mr. Young was a
member of the local M. W. of A. and carried insurance to the amount of $3,000.
Another article
FOUND DYING IN THE ROAD
Wednesday evening Eli Young, a farmer residing near Industry, was found unconscious
and dying in the road by Ed Fry. He was taken into Reece Adam’s house, where he died in about thirty minutes.
Mr. Young had recently moved to the Martha Standard farm about three miles east of Industry, and was on his homeward
trip with the last load of goods, and was within about one-half or three quarters of a miles of home. He
formerly lived in Flat Woods. There is a report circulating as to the cause of his death, but as yet we are
unable to give authoritive facts in regard to it, other than that when found he had a scalp wound in the back of
his head and the skull was fractured, from which injuries death resulted.
Submitted by: Betty Young Adair <Blaquilt@macomb.com>
For a scanned copy of these articles contact Betty.
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