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Story
October 25, 1884
The Rock Island Argus
Rock Island, Rock Island County County, Illinois
What is this article about?
In Fleetwood, Pa., farmer Charles Epler murdered his hired man John Medlar by shooting him over unpaid wages, buried the body, and was arrested four weeks later after his children revealed the crime.
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LEADEN LIQUIDATION.
Settled His Debt with a Seven Shooter.
How a Pennsylvania Farmer Paid His Hired Man—His Crime Made Known by His Own Child.
FLEETWOOD, Pa., Oct. 25.—Information was received here Thursday of a horrible murder committed on the farm of James Madeira. The victim was a German farm laborer named John Medlar, 35 years old, who was for several months employed by Charles Epler, a tenant on the farm of James Madeira, and when he asked Epler for his pay the latter refused to give it to him. Medlar went away and secured employment elsewhere, but called again about a week afterward. Strong words were exchanged, and the farmer finally ran into the house, grabbed a seven-shooter, and fired three shots at Medlar. They took effect in the abdomen, and the man died shortly afterward. Epler dug a hole in a fence-corner and buried his victim in it. This occurred four weeks ago, and nothing was discovered of the crime until Thursday, when the information was obtained from the children of Epler, who gave a graphic account of it, and said that their "mother was crying for the past four weeks because papa might be hung for shooting a man." District Attorney Rothermel and Coroner Scodler arrived here Thursday and arrested Epler.
Settled His Debt with a Seven Shooter.
How a Pennsylvania Farmer Paid His Hired Man—His Crime Made Known by His Own Child.
FLEETWOOD, Pa., Oct. 25.—Information was received here Thursday of a horrible murder committed on the farm of James Madeira. The victim was a German farm laborer named John Medlar, 35 years old, who was for several months employed by Charles Epler, a tenant on the farm of James Madeira, and when he asked Epler for his pay the latter refused to give it to him. Medlar went away and secured employment elsewhere, but called again about a week afterward. Strong words were exchanged, and the farmer finally ran into the house, grabbed a seven-shooter, and fired three shots at Medlar. They took effect in the abdomen, and the man died shortly afterward. Epler dug a hole in a fence-corner and buried his victim in it. This occurred four weeks ago, and nothing was discovered of the crime until Thursday, when the information was obtained from the children of Epler, who gave a graphic account of it, and said that their "mother was crying for the past four weeks because papa might be hung for shooting a man." District Attorney Rothermel and Coroner Scodler arrived here Thursday and arrested Epler.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Murder
Unpaid Wages
Farm Laborer
Shooting
Arrest
Children Witness
What entities or persons were involved?
Charles Epler
John Medlar
James Madeira
District Attorney Rothermel
Coroner Scodler
Where did it happen?
Fleetwood, Pa., On The Farm Of James Madeira
Story Details
Key Persons
Charles Epler
John Medlar
James Madeira
District Attorney Rothermel
Coroner Scodler
Location
Fleetwood, Pa., On The Farm Of James Madeira
Event Date
Four Weeks Ago From Oct. 25
Story Details
Charles Epler shot and killed his hired man John Medlar over unpaid wages, buried the body in a fence-corner, and the crime was revealed by Epler's children, leading to his arrest.