Baby was the infant son of Sarah Clarkson. (Sarah was not married at this time).
Shelby County Herald Oct. 29, 1873
SUPPOSED CASE OF INFANTICIDE
Editor Herald: It was rumored in town this morning, that an inquest was being held over the body of a dead infant found in an old well on the premises of S.R. Howe, about 4 miles north of this place. I at once set out to attend the inquest and to learn the particulars, and on my arrival at Mr. Howe's house, to which the body had been taken, I found quite a large assemblage of excited persons the number of which was being increased by the arrival of men, women and children from the surrounding country, some of who came several miles. The house was crowded and the corpse decently dressed was looked upon by the spectators with feelings of pity, and as I looked upon him in his innocent form the following lines came forcibly to my mind.
"To the dark and silent tomb
Soon I hastened from the womb,
Scarce the light of dawn began,
Ere I measured out my span."
The particulars as I have learned them, are about as follows: James F. Murray, Esq. a Justice of the Peace residing in the vicinity was informed yesterday of the finding of the body and pursuant to his duties as a public officer he repaired to the place and proceeded to hold an inquest over the body. James A. Sherry, John G. Baird, R.J. Finney, Christian Myers, J.H. Davis and James Parvine, all intelligent looking gentlemen, composed the jury. Dr. A. L. Yancey testified that on the 15th inst. one, Edgar Clarkson, called on him to come and see his daughter, who, he said, had miscarried a still born child, and was suffering from circumstances attendant upon her situation. The doctor visited the lady and after giving her such professional attention as the case demanded, he was requested to say nothing about the matter. The doctor stated with reference to the child, that it had come to its full time and was born alive, the umbilical cord was cut, but not tied, the temporal bone on the right side of the head was crushed, and there was a flesh wound over the bone above the right ear about half an inch long. This is about all I could learn of the testimony taken yesterday.
Today at about ten o'clock the examination proceeded, Dr. Yancey was questioned further and stated that owing to the darkness, when he examined the body yesterday evening he had not noticed a wound which he described as located about three-fourths of an inch above the right ear, one inch long and in its posterior part, penetrating to the bone, and appears to have been made by a sharp instrument. Another wound appears on the temple, about three-fourths of an inch above the right eye and seems to have been made by a blunt instrument penetrating to the skull. The wounds were all made previous to the finding of the body, and the general livid appearance of the head and chest indicated strangulation.Witnesses were then examined who testified as to the suspicions which induced them to search the well, that the body lay on its right side covered with about two feet of mud and water. The examination was concluded about twelve o'clock and in about an hour the jury rendered the following verdict. "That the said infant was born alive and came to it's death by foul means by someone or more of the family of Edgar Clarkson, and that said family endeavored to conceal the birth of said infant."
The Justice had not declared any decision or taken any action upon the verdict when I left the place, but under such circumstances as surround the whole matter, it is hardly possible for him to escape the duty of detaining the parties implicated until an investigation of the matter can be had in due course of law.
Dec 3, 1873 Hunnewell, MO
Edgar Clarkson, his wife and daughter, who was suppose to have been concerned in the infanticide case which occurred in the Jackson Township, in October, were each indicted for murder in the first degree by the grand jury.
The parties were brought into court yesterday, and the trial was postponed until the next term.
The judge upon examination of the evidence, fixed the bail for each of the women at $250. and Clarkson at $500.
At this particular time ( 10 June 2016), we know that Edgar Clarkson was found not guilty in his case but do not know what happened to Martha (his wife) and Sarah his daughter.
March 16, 2018 Edgar, Martha and Sarah Clarkson were all found innocent in this case. Sarah married and moved to California. Martha and Edgar moved from Hunnewell to Salisbury, Chariton, Missouri. I am not sure when or where Martha died. Edgar moved into the home of his daughter Nancy Ella "Clarkson" Hohn in Kansas City, MO and that is where he passed away in 1901.
Shelby County Herald Oct. 29, 1873
SUPPOSED CASE OF INFANTICIDE
Editor Herald: It was rumored in town this morning, that an inquest was being held over the body of a dead infant found in an old well on the premises of S.R. Howe, about 4 miles north of this place. I at once set out to attend the inquest and to learn the particulars, and on my arrival at Mr. Howe's house, to which the body had been taken, I found quite a large assemblage of excited persons the number of which was being increased by the arrival of men, women and children from the surrounding country, some of who came several miles. The house was crowded and the corpse decently dressed was looked upon by the spectators with feelings of pity, and as I looked upon him in his innocent form the following lines came forcibly to my mind.
"To the dark and silent tomb
Soon I hastened from the womb,
Scarce the light of dawn began,
Ere I measured out my span."
The particulars as I have learned them, are about as follows: James F. Murray, Esq. a Justice of the Peace residing in the vicinity was informed yesterday of the finding of the body and pursuant to his duties as a public officer he repaired to the place and proceeded to hold an inquest over the body. James A. Sherry, John G. Baird, R.J. Finney, Christian Myers, J.H. Davis and James Parvine, all intelligent looking gentlemen, composed the jury. Dr. A. L. Yancey testified that on the 15th inst. one, Edgar Clarkson, called on him to come and see his daughter, who, he said, had miscarried a still born child, and was suffering from circumstances attendant upon her situation. The doctor visited the lady and after giving her such professional attention as the case demanded, he was requested to say nothing about the matter. The doctor stated with reference to the child, that it had come to its full time and was born alive, the umbilical cord was cut, but not tied, the temporal bone on the right side of the head was crushed, and there was a flesh wound over the bone above the right ear about half an inch long. This is about all I could learn of the testimony taken yesterday.
Today at about ten o'clock the examination proceeded, Dr. Yancey was questioned further and stated that owing to the darkness, when he examined the body yesterday evening he had not noticed a wound which he described as located about three-fourths of an inch above the right ear, one inch long and in its posterior part, penetrating to the bone, and appears to have been made by a sharp instrument. Another wound appears on the temple, about three-fourths of an inch above the right eye and seems to have been made by a blunt instrument penetrating to the skull. The wounds were all made previous to the finding of the body, and the general livid appearance of the head and chest indicated strangulation.Witnesses were then examined who testified as to the suspicions which induced them to search the well, that the body lay on its right side covered with about two feet of mud and water. The examination was concluded about twelve o'clock and in about an hour the jury rendered the following verdict. "That the said infant was born alive and came to it's death by foul means by someone or more of the family of Edgar Clarkson, and that said family endeavored to conceal the birth of said infant."
The Justice had not declared any decision or taken any action upon the verdict when I left the place, but under such circumstances as surround the whole matter, it is hardly possible for him to escape the duty of detaining the parties implicated until an investigation of the matter can be had in due course of law.
Dec 3, 1873 Hunnewell, MO
Edgar Clarkson, his wife and daughter, who was suppose to have been concerned in the infanticide case which occurred in the Jackson Township, in October, were each indicted for murder in the first degree by the grand jury.
The parties were brought into court yesterday, and the trial was postponed until the next term.
The judge upon examination of the evidence, fixed the bail for each of the women at $250. and Clarkson at $500.
At this particular time ( 10 June 2016), we know that Edgar Clarkson was found not guilty in his case but do not know what happened to Martha (his wife) and Sarah his daughter.
March 16, 2018 Edgar, Martha and Sarah Clarkson were all found innocent in this case. Sarah married and moved to California. Martha and Edgar moved from Hunnewell to Salisbury, Chariton, Missouri. I am not sure when or where Martha died. Edgar moved into the home of his daughter Nancy Ella "Clarkson" Hohn in Kansas City, MO and that is where he passed away in 1901.
Baby was the infant son of Sarah Clarkson. (Sarah was not married at this time).
Shelby County Herald Oct. 29, 1873
SUPPOSED CASE OF INFANTICIDE
Editor Herald: It was rumored in town this morning, that an inquest was being held over the body of a dead infant found in an old well on the premises of S.R. Howe, about 4 miles north of this place. I at once set out to attend the inquest and to learn the particulars, and on my arrival at Mr. Howe's house, to which the body had been taken, I found quite a large assemblage of excited persons the number of which was being increased by the arrival of men, women and children from the surrounding country, some of who came several miles. The house was crowded and the corpse decently dressed was looked upon by the spectators with feelings of pity, and as I looked upon him in his innocent form the following lines came forcibly to my mind.
"To the dark and silent tomb
Soon I hastened from the womb,
Scarce the light of dawn began,
Ere I measured out my span."
The particulars as I have learned them, are about as follows: James F. Murray, Esq. a Justice of the Peace residing in the vicinity was informed yesterday of the finding of the body and pursuant to his duties as a public officer he repaired to the place and proceeded to hold an inquest over the body. James A. Sherry, John G. Baird, R.J. Finney, Christian Myers, J.H. Davis and James Parvine, all intelligent looking gentlemen, composed the jury. Dr. A. L. Yancey testified that on the 15th inst. one, Edgar Clarkson, called on him to come and see his daughter, who, he said, had miscarried a still born child, and was suffering from circumstances attendant upon her situation. The doctor visited the lady and after giving her such professional attention as the case demanded, he was requested to say nothing about the matter. The doctor stated with reference to the child, that it had come to its full time and was born alive, the umbilical cord was cut, but not tied, the temporal bone on the right side of the head was crushed, and there was a flesh wound over the bone above the right ear about half an inch long. This is about all I could learn of the testimony taken yesterday.
Today at about ten o'clock the examination proceeded, Dr. Yancey was questioned further and stated that owing to the darkness, when he examined the body yesterday evening he had not noticed a wound which he described as located about three-fourths of an inch above the right ear, one inch long and in its posterior part, penetrating to the bone, and appears to have been made by a sharp instrument. Another wound appears on the temple, about three-fourths of an inch above the right eye and seems to have been made by a blunt instrument penetrating to the skull. The wounds were all made previous to the finding of the body, and the general livid appearance of the head and chest indicated strangulation.Witnesses were then examined who testified as to the suspicions which induced them to search the well, that the body lay on its right side covered with about two feet of mud and water. The examination was concluded about twelve o'clock and in about an hour the jury rendered the following verdict. "That the said infant was born alive and came to it's death by foul means by someone or more of the family of Edgar Clarkson, and that said family endeavored to conceal the birth of said infant."
The Justice had not declared any decision or taken any action upon the verdict when I left the place, but under such circumstances as surround the whole matter, it is hardly possible for him to escape the duty of detaining the parties implicated until an investigation of the matter can be had in due course of law.
Dec 3, 1873 Hunnewell, MO
Edgar Clarkson, his wife and daughter, who was suppose to have been concerned in the infanticide case which occurred in the Jackson Township, in October, were each indicted for murder in the first degree by the grand jury.
The parties were brought into court yesterday, and the trial was postponed until the next term.
The judge upon examination of the evidence, fixed the bail for each of the women at $250. and Clarkson at $500.
At this particular time ( 10 June 2016), we know that Edgar Clarkson was found not guilty in his case but do not know what happened to Martha (his wife) and Sarah his daughter.
March 16, 2018 Edgar, Martha and Sarah Clarkson were all found innocent in this case. Sarah married and moved to California. Martha and Edgar moved from Hunnewell to Salisbury, Chariton, Missouri. I am not sure when or where Martha died. Edgar moved into the home of his daughter Nancy Ella "Clarkson" Hohn in Kansas City, MO and that is where he passed away in 1901.
Shelby County Herald Oct. 29, 1873
SUPPOSED CASE OF INFANTICIDE
Editor Herald: It was rumored in town this morning, that an inquest was being held over the body of a dead infant found in an old well on the premises of S.R. Howe, about 4 miles north of this place. I at once set out to attend the inquest and to learn the particulars, and on my arrival at Mr. Howe's house, to which the body had been taken, I found quite a large assemblage of excited persons the number of which was being increased by the arrival of men, women and children from the surrounding country, some of who came several miles. The house was crowded and the corpse decently dressed was looked upon by the spectators with feelings of pity, and as I looked upon him in his innocent form the following lines came forcibly to my mind.
"To the dark and silent tomb
Soon I hastened from the womb,
Scarce the light of dawn began,
Ere I measured out my span."
The particulars as I have learned them, are about as follows: James F. Murray, Esq. a Justice of the Peace residing in the vicinity was informed yesterday of the finding of the body and pursuant to his duties as a public officer he repaired to the place and proceeded to hold an inquest over the body. James A. Sherry, John G. Baird, R.J. Finney, Christian Myers, J.H. Davis and James Parvine, all intelligent looking gentlemen, composed the jury. Dr. A. L. Yancey testified that on the 15th inst. one, Edgar Clarkson, called on him to come and see his daughter, who, he said, had miscarried a still born child, and was suffering from circumstances attendant upon her situation. The doctor visited the lady and after giving her such professional attention as the case demanded, he was requested to say nothing about the matter. The doctor stated with reference to the child, that it had come to its full time and was born alive, the umbilical cord was cut, but not tied, the temporal bone on the right side of the head was crushed, and there was a flesh wound over the bone above the right ear about half an inch long. This is about all I could learn of the testimony taken yesterday.
Today at about ten o'clock the examination proceeded, Dr. Yancey was questioned further and stated that owing to the darkness, when he examined the body yesterday evening he had not noticed a wound which he described as located about three-fourths of an inch above the right ear, one inch long and in its posterior part, penetrating to the bone, and appears to have been made by a sharp instrument. Another wound appears on the temple, about three-fourths of an inch above the right eye and seems to have been made by a blunt instrument penetrating to the skull. The wounds were all made previous to the finding of the body, and the general livid appearance of the head and chest indicated strangulation.Witnesses were then examined who testified as to the suspicions which induced them to search the well, that the body lay on its right side covered with about two feet of mud and water. The examination was concluded about twelve o'clock and in about an hour the jury rendered the following verdict. "That the said infant was born alive and came to it's death by foul means by someone or more of the family of Edgar Clarkson, and that said family endeavored to conceal the birth of said infant."
The Justice had not declared any decision or taken any action upon the verdict when I left the place, but under such circumstances as surround the whole matter, it is hardly possible for him to escape the duty of detaining the parties implicated until an investigation of the matter can be had in due course of law.
Dec 3, 1873 Hunnewell, MO
Edgar Clarkson, his wife and daughter, who was suppose to have been concerned in the infanticide case which occurred in the Jackson Township, in October, were each indicted for murder in the first degree by the grand jury.
The parties were brought into court yesterday, and the trial was postponed until the next term.
The judge upon examination of the evidence, fixed the bail for each of the women at $250. and Clarkson at $500.
At this particular time ( 10 June 2016), we know that Edgar Clarkson was found not guilty in his case but do not know what happened to Martha (his wife) and Sarah his daughter.
March 16, 2018 Edgar, Martha and Sarah Clarkson were all found innocent in this case. Sarah married and moved to California. Martha and Edgar moved from Hunnewell to Salisbury, Chariton, Missouri. I am not sure when or where Martha died. Edgar moved into the home of his daughter Nancy Ella "Clarkson" Hohn in Kansas City, MO and that is where he passed away in 1901.
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