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Montgomery County
Crime News
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The Walcher-Sturgeon Homicide
May 13, 1884, pg 7 col 1
In the Circuit Court here this morning the case of Webster Walcher, indicted for the murder of Stephenson Sturgeon, came up for trial, and the work of securing a jury commenced. The trial promises to be a long and exciting one. About eighty witnesses will be examined. It is thought it will take all day tomorrow to complete the jury.
The night of Jan 16, 1884, there was to be a spelling bee at the Tester School House in Round Tree Township. A number of young people had arrived among them being Stephenson Sturgeon and Webster Walcher. Walcher and Sturgeon soon became involved in an altercation, during which it is alleged Walcher drew his pistol and shop Sturgeon, killing him instantly. [Chicago Daily News, Northwest News; Submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]
May 14, 1884, pg 7 col 1
The Walcher Trial, Hillsboro, IL, May 13 (Special)
The Walcher murder trial was resumed this morning in the Circuit Court here. Nearly the entire day was spent in selecting a jury. State's Attorney Amos Miller opened the case for the prosecution and the ex-Gov John M Palmer followed for the defense. His speech indicated that the theory of self-defense would be advanced. [Chicago Daily News, Northwest News; Submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]
May 15, 1884, pg 6 col 5
The Walcher Murder Trial, Hillsboro, IL, May 14 (Special)
The examination of witnesses began this morning in the Walcher murder trial. Six witnesses were examined today, the testimony of Frank Burns, a close companion of the murdered man, being the most important. Two physicians testified as to the nature of the wound, one of them being the coroner. They testified that the murdered man must have been killed instantly, the bullet having penetrated the most vital part of the brain. Counsel for the defense sought to introduce as evidence a pistol and a dirk-knife said to have been taken from the body of the murdered man, to show that the deceased was armed at the time he was killed, and that this fact was known to the defendant and probably caused him to fire the fatal shot. This was objected to by the prosecution and the court sustained the objection for the present. [Chicago Daily News, Northwest News; Submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]
May 15, 1884, pg 10 col 1
Webster Walcher's Trial for Murder at Hillsboro - Hillsboro, IL, May 15, (Special)
The trial of Webster Walcher for the murder of Stephenson Sturgeon was resumed this morning. The prosecution rested this morning and the defense at once opened their side of the case. The two brothers of the accused were put on the stand. Their testimony was not regarded as very strong for the defendant. They contradicted each other in many important facts. It is thought the defendant will go on the stand tomorrow. The case will hardly reach the jury before Saturday. [Chicago Daily News, Northwest News; Submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]
May 19, 1884, pg 6 col 1
The Walcher Murder Trial Ends in Acquittal - Hillsboro, IL, May 17 (Special)
The closing speech in the Walcher murder trial was made by George M Stevens last night in behalf of the prosecution and the jury received their instructions and retired to the jury room. At a late hour, they returned the following verdict: "We, the jury, find the defendant not guilty."
The verdict created general surprise here. It was almost the universal opinion that the jury would find the defendant guilty and give him a short sentence at least. It was a great surprise to even Walcher himself. He says he did not expect to be acquitted, but feels very happy over the termination of the trial. On the first ballot the jury stood eight for acquittal and four for conviction. On the third ballot they all voted for acquittal. The verdict was based upon the ideal of self-defence. [Chicago Daily News, Northwest News; Submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]
Impartial Instructions by the Court.
Hillsboro, Ill., Jan 20.—The jury in the Emma Bond case received the instructions of the court this morning, and retired about noon. The instructions were very impartial. A verdict is expected this afternoon. The town is crowded with people from all parts of the county, and the excitement is intense.
The news of the suicide of Abner Bond, cousin of Emma Bond's father, caused no little excitement when it was announced here to-day. He purchased a new rope, with which he hanged himself from the barn-loft. His body was discovered last night. This makes the second suicide that has been caused by the outrage. The first was that of John Hill, a very respectable farmer of Christian county, who committed suicide by hanging about a year ago, because his daughter had threatened to marry Lee Pettis, one of the defendants. [The Milwaukee Journal, Jan 2, 1884 - Sub. by K.T.]
Rob Foot Ball Boys Clothes
...During the game someone entered the gymnasium and stole a gold watch from the clothes of Albert Ackle and $5.75 in money from the various boys' clothes. [Litchfield Daily Union, Litchfield, Illinois, Friday, November 27, 1914 - Lynn Boyd Reener]
Mrs Mary J Terrell, of Nokomis, who is now serving a term in the Joliet penitentiary for the murder of her husband, is endeavoring to get her case before the State Board of Pardons. [Litchfield Daily Union, Friday, November 27, 1914]
Decatur Man Arrested Here
John Kane employed by the Ozark Pipe Line crew was arrested on a charge of contempt of court and wife abandonment. Returned to Decatur.
[Litchfield Daily Union, Monday, April 25, 1927 - submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]
Berger In Jail Again [headline]
On New Charge of Murder - New Grand Jury Returns New Indictments Against Him
Benton, IL - Charlie Berger, gang leader, was brot to the Franklin Co jail on a new charge of murder in the slaying of Joe Adams, former mayor of West City…..
[Litchfield Daily Union, Friday, April 29, 1927 - Submitted by: Lynn Boyd Reener]
[Litchfield Daily Union, Monday, June 6, 1927 - submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]
[Litchfield Daily Union, Friday, June 30, 1927 - submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]
How Big City Spoiled A Barber
[Litchfield Daily Union, Friday, July 1, 1927 - submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]
How a country boy changed under the influence of life in the big town was told by Mrs May King of Litchfield and her husband, Justin King, when the latter had a preliminary hearing on a charge of wife and child desertion in George S Monroe's justice of peace court Tuesday morning…He has been bound over to await the action of the Nov grand jury…Mr and Mrs King formerly lived in Litchfield, but went to Chicago several months ago. There he secured employment as a barber and there a change came over him. He developed a liking for dancing and shows which was not shared with his wife who had to care for their four small children. Eventually, King left her and the children…The oldest child is about 7 years and the youngest, Grace, is only 5 months old. Mr King is about 28 and was brought up on a farm north of Litchfield … - Montgomery News.
Clothing Store at Witt Robbed Early This Morning
[Litchfield Daily Union, Thurs, July 7, 1927 - submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]
Gents and Ladies Clothing Were Taken---One Department Cleaned - Some Time after midnight the Levin Clothing Store was robbed. Fifty suits of men's clothes, all the ladies dresses, rain coats, spring coats, and gents furnishings were stolen. The robbery was discovered by night officer, Williamson at 3 o'clock this morning.
[Litchfield Daily Union, Friday, July 8, 1927 - submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]
Disturbed Campfire Girls
[Litchfield Daily Union, Sat., July 9, 1927 - submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]
Emmit Virden of Hillsboro disturbed the peace at the Hillsboro City Lake yesterday and he was arrested by Sheriff Hill. He pleaded guilty before Judge Greene and was fined $10 and costs which he paid. The Campfire Girls were having an outing and complaint was made by them.
Springfield Trail Filling Station Found to Have Booze - Proprietor Arrested
According to the results of a raid at the filling station seven miles north of this city Saturday night, Ed Ross, the proprietor, was selling more than gasoline and oil. He had in his possession booze, which the officers alleged was for sale. At the time of the raid Mr and Mrs Wm Loge of Clinton drove up. They were in an auto and were intoxicated. Deputy Sheriffs Hayen and Claude Maise took Mr and Mrs Logue and Mrs Ross to Hillsboro. They left Mrs Ross in charge of the station. They were taken before Squire Woods wher Mr and Mrs Logue were fined five dollars and costs each for being intoxicated. Ross and his wife waived preliminary examination and were bound over to await the action of the grand jury. Their bonds were fixed at $1000. [Litchfield Daily Union, Litchfield, IL, Monday, July 11, 1927 - Submitted by Lynn Reener]
Arrested for Molesting Lady
Charles Pope, aged 45, of Morrisonville was arrested twice last night on charges of molesting a young lady in this city. The first time Pope was arrested he furnished a cash bond. He went back the second time and was arrested and locked up. [Litchfield Daily Union, Litchfield, IL, Tuesday, July 12, 1927 - Submitted by Lynn Reener]
A Chevrolet car stolen from its parking space on South State was found by Officer Charles Weber. The car was owned by Mr Scherer of Raymond. [Litchfield Daily Union, Litchfield, IL, 14 July 1927 - Submitted by Lynn Reener]
$3000 worth of poultry stolen in this vicinity within the last 40 days. AHTA held a meeting and called for cooperation of all local AHTA groups, as well as law enforcement. The Macoupin Co sheriff has pledged cooperation in the effort to stop these crimes. [Litchfield Daily Union, August 15, 1927 - Submitted by Lynn Reener]
William Laws Shot to Death on CB&Q Train in Litchfield
A three pronged investigation was underway today in the killing of William Everett Laws Jr whose dead body was taken from a Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy coal train at Bushnell Saturday about noon time.
Young Laws was shot to death as he road the train through Litchfield Friday night [d. 28 DE 1934] about 10 o'clock. The body of the lad was seen as the train passed through Beardstown.
….More than 150 shot gun pellets were removed from the torso alone….
William Laws Jr, accompanied by an older brother, George, known as Bud, started his fatal ride at the farmer's elevator Friday night between 9:30 and 10 o'clock. They had been visiting a half-sister, Mrs Myron Reener, who resides on East Columbia street and spent the evening playing cards and listening to the radio.
When they decided to go home, they "Hopped" the Burlington coal train at the Farmer's elevator to ride to their home, which is on Main street, along side the Burlington tracks, north of Ferdon street. The trains slow down to take on water at the tank about three blocks north of the Texaco filling station. George got off the train at the Ferdon street crossing. William was on a coal car several lengths back. George saw the younger boy on the coal hopper, he said yesterday, as the car passed under a street light. He went on home to bed, he said, and when Junior did not come home he thought the lad had decided to go on to visit an aunt in Virden. He said the boy had talked during the day of going to Virden.
….Apparently the boy had been killed at close range and a sawed off shot gun was used. Two charges were sent into the body and the car on which the body was found was spattered with pellets. More than 300 pellets were removed from the body by the Bushnell undertaker….
William Laws Jr was born in Litchfield and would have been 17 years of age next March. He attended the junior high school in the seventh grade. Surviving are the parents, Mr and Mrs William Laws Sr, six brothers, Rosco [Earl Roscoe Law], George, Halford [Gerald Alford Law], Ivan [Wilbur Ivan], Eugene [Milbourne Eugene "Cotton" Law], and Rolla [Rauly A Law] and a sister, Mrs Myron Reener [Myron Cloud w/o Roy Reener].
Funeral services will be held at the Baptist church Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev J T Dougherty officiating. Interment will be made in Elmwood cemetery. [The Litchfield News Herald, Monday, 31 Dec 1934 - submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener]
[Note: The coroner's jury in Bushnell urged murder charges for the slayer; but, they did not establish who that person was.]