---

MURDER RECALLED BY OLD CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPER

Slaying of John Fox on Night of March 9, 1883, Graphically Told by "Star" Extra

A murder, atrocious and premeditated, which stirred this community to a fever pitch almost forty years ago, is recalled by a number of old newspapers and clippings brought to this office a few days ago by Miss Libbie White, well-known Bellville woman.

The killing of John Fox while seated in his wagon as he was nearing his home, two miles east of Bellville, on the night of March 9, 1883, is graphically chronicled in a miniature extra edition of the BELLVILLE STAR, issued the following morning.

The murdered man, who was with his brother, Daniel, was shot through the head and body and instantly killed by a hidden assassin.  Several shots were fired by the murderer, one of the bullets striking Daniel Fox in the leg as he jumped from the wagon during the fusillade.  The horses took fright and ran away, taking the dead man at top speed down the country road until they tore the harness and broke loose from the vehicle.  The murdered man was found lying on top of grain sacks in his wagon with blood flowing from his wounds.  A doctor was called, but found that the one bullet had penetrated the brain, death resulting instantly.

The identity of the murderer was a complete mystery and yet remains as one of the unsolved and unpunished crimes of this county.  A few weeks prior to the slaying, Fox was shot at while standing on the porch of his home.  It was said he had a strong suspicion as to the identity of the man who made the attempt on his life, but never confided his suspicion to anyone.  He was one of the most powerful men in this part of the country and feared no one, although he is said to have been a very peaceable man who would never look for trouble.  The motive of the cowardly murderer in taking the life of the man was never understood by his family or neighbors.

---

---

<< Back to the Richland Co., Ohio Index