Little Murders:
From Defenders and Offenders:
William Showers.
"This fiend murdered his two grandsons at his farm, at a place called Annville, in Pennsylvania. The old man fell in love with Mrs. Sergeant, of some 45 summers, but she refused to become mistress of his farm until the two lads were put away in some orphan asylum. Instead of doing this, he strangled the two lads, with devilish deliberation, burned their clothes and buried their bodies in a ditch near his home; but fortunately the crime was discovered a few days afterwards and his arrest followed."
Defenders and offenders. New York: D. Buchner & Co., 1888.
According to "Hangings for Homicide in Lebanon County" by Judge Thomas Gates (1972), the story about Betsy Sergent was one of 3 vastly different scenarios concocted by Showers and was given little credence. His daughter had given birth to 6 illegitimate children and these were the youngest 2. After her death these 2 were left in his care and he did all he could to rid himself of them before deciding on murder. He was found guilty and hung for the crime.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Sounds like it might be worth doing an expanded post on Mr. Showers.
ReplyDeleteThis is my great great grandfather
ReplyDelete