Murder of Thos. Freeman.
Murder of Thos. Freeman.

MURDER OF THOS. FREEMAN.
______

    Our city was startled last night by the report of another murder, in which Thomas Freeman, a well known citizen, who owns a ranch and garden two miles below the city, was the victim.
    Mr. Freeman left home on Wednesday of last week for the purpose of contracting for a quantity of hay at some place below Fort Lupton, and about thirty miles from the city. He was accompanied by Pat Waters, a well known individual around town. The two rode in a light wagon, drawn by two horses, one of which was blind.
    Freeman had on his person about one hundred dollars to make a payment on his purchase. Thursday night they staid at the house of a ranchman named Fay, a short distance below Lupton, which place they left together Friday morning, and here ceases all trace of Freeman alive.
    Friday night about ten o'clock the train of M. C. Fisher was met by an Irishman riding a horse without a saddle, and with a blind bridle. A roll of blankets were tied on behind him with some check lines, and his general appearance such as to attract the close scrutiny of the men. The following day the train came on and encamped at night about five miles below Lupton. Near the camp was found traces of the murder.--Freeman's wagon had been driven over a high bank into a thicket of willows on a little strip of low bottom land, and close to the river. The wagon box and sides were smeared with blood--a bunch of hay in the wagon was filled with it, and it had dripped through on the hounds and running gear of the wagon. The dead body had been dragged over the side board, and carried about three rods to the river and thrown in, and pushed into the deep channel with a pole which still lay near by. The horses had been driven into the river, and one of them--the blind one--was found grazing on the opposite bank, with the harness still on. The other horse had been led back to the wagon, the harness taken off, and then mounted and ridden away. The body was not found, and was probably carried by the current under a drift-heap a short distance below. The wagon and its contents are in town, and yet bear the evidence of the terrible crime. The bottom is thickly covered with clotted blood, and sides, wheels, and the harness are thickly sprinkled with the same crimson hue.
    The horse which was met on Friday night is recognized, from the description, as the missing one belonging to Freeman, and his rider fills the description of the man Pat Waters.
    We leave our readers to form their conclusions and in the meantime await further developments. Officers have been dispatched from the city, and by to-morrow we hope to be able to throw more light on the subject.


Source:

Unknown, "Murder of Thos. Freeman," Daily Rocky Mountain News, Denver, J.T., Thursday, 6 December, 1860, page 2.

Created November 3, 2006; Revised November 3, 2006
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