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The Caseville Advertiser
Thursday, 30 July, 1874

         MURDER IN TUSCOLA COUNTY
         
         We condense the following facts concerning this cold-
       blooded murder, from a full report given in the Tuscola
       Advertiser, of July 25th.
       
         On Saturday morning last, intelligence was received in
       this village, of the murder of EPHRAIM FARR, of the Town-
       ship of Novesta, he having been fatally stabbed with a
       jack-knife, in the hands of JEDEDIAH VAN ALLEN, of the
       same Township. VAN ALLEN was taken from the scene of the
       tragedy by a neighbor of FARR'S and handed over to the
       authorities. A jury was impaneled before Justice GEORGE
       B. HUNT, and an investigation held, and a verdict rendered.
       From the testimony given it seems that VAN ALLEN went to
       see MRS. FARR on the day mentioned, and the husband re-
       turning earlier than was expected, found VAN ALLEN under
       the bed. A scuffle ensued, a gun and axe were used freely
       and yet little damage was done, when VAN ALLEN finished
       the business by stabbling FARR with a knife. Some of the
       neighbors passing by were called in by VAN ALLEN and MRS.
       FARR. From letters found in the possession of VAN ALLEN
       written by MRS. FARR, it appears that there was a cause
       for jealousy. In one she speaks of giving him a dose, 
       and regrets that it failed to accomplish her murderous
       purpose. The jury found as follows:
       
         "That EPHRAIM FARR came to his death by an incised
       wound on the left side between the 3d and 4th ribs
       entering the heart, caused by a knife in the hands of
       WILLIAM JEDEDIAH VAN ALLEN." 
       
         Five of the jurors also give it as their opinion
       that "LUCINDA FARR, wife of the said EPHRAIM FARR,
       is accessory to the crime."
       
         A warrant was issued immediately for VAN ALLEN and
       on Monday morning one was also issued for MRS. FARR.
       The examination was held before JUSTICE HUNT. H. P.
       ATWOOD for the people and H. M. NORRIS for VAN ALLEN.
       
         It is understood that VAN ALLEN has made a atatement
       to SHERIFF CUMINGS, which is in writing, of the whole
       affair, from the time that the intimacy began between
       him and MRS. FARR up to the time of his arrest. It is
       also understood that MRS. FARR had made a statement,
       which is in writing. 
       
         After the taking of evidence was concluded VAN ALLEN
       and MRS. FARR were committed to jail to await their
       trial, which will probably take place at the October
       term of the Circuit Court. SHERIFF CUMING'S confined
       the prisoners until Wednesday morning at which time
       they were taken to the Bay County jail.
       
         EPHRAIM FARR was 43 years of age and at the time of
       his death weighed about 145 pounds. He was a man of
       moderate means, though owning a considerable amount
       of land in the township of Novesta, and it is under-
       stood that he was soon to receive quite a sum of money
       from the State of New York.
       
         LUCINDA ELIZA FARR, wife of the late EPHRAIM FARR,
       is aged 34 years. She has a father, mother and brother
       living in and near Cass City. She is a cousin of VAN
       ALLEN'S. She has three children living; the oldest
       is a boy not more than seven years of age; the second
       a girl about five years old, and the youngest a boy
       about eighteen months old. Five children have died.
       
         JEDEDIAH W. VAN ALLEN is 28 years of age, and
       weighs about 145 pounds. He has an aged father and
       mother living near Cass City. He also has one or
       two sisters. He has never been called a vicious
       character, but was never considered very intelli-
       gent.
       
         All of the above parties were from Jefferson
       County, N.Y., and have lived in Novesta about six
       years.
       
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