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Story
June 4, 1854
Shepherdstown Register
Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
In Colorado County, Texas, a German known as Dutch Charley was murdered. An Irishman suggested using an ancient superstition—touching the body to make wounds bleed under the murderer's hand, as in Sir Walter Scott's 'St. Valentine's Day.' When Hildebrant touched it, blood flowed, leading to his arrest and suicide.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Singular Incident.—A German known as Dutch Charley was recently murdered in Colorado county, Texas. As the body was surrounded by people, an Irishman proposed that those present should successively place their hands upon the body of the deceased, believing according to an ancient supposition used by Sir Walter Scott in St. Valentine's Day, that whenever the murderer touched it the wounds would commence bleeding anew. The suggestion was acted upon, and, says a correspondent of the Richmond (Texas) Inquirer, as soon as a man named Hildebrant applied his hand the blood began to flow. Hildebrant was arrested, and shortly afterwards committed suicide by hanging himself.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
Extraordinary Event
Supernatural
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Justice
Fate Providence
What keywords are associated?
Murder
Bleeding Corpse
Supernatural Detection
Suicide
Texas
Hildebrant
What entities or persons were involved?
Dutch Charley
Irishman
Hildebrant
Where did it happen?
Colorado County, Texas
Story Details
Key Persons
Dutch Charley
Irishman
Hildebrant
Location
Colorado County, Texas
Event Date
Recently
Story Details
Dutch Charley murdered; Irishman proposes touching body to reveal killer via bleeding wounds per folklore; Hildebrant's touch causes bleeding, leading to arrest and suicide.