The Madison County Murderer.

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, March 28, 1868.

George Stotler went to Jacob Eisnagle’s house in Anderson, Indiana, on the afternoon of March 7, 1868. He wanted to borrow a horse so he could ride to a Masonic funeral. Eisnagle’s sons, William, age 18, and Issac, 16, told him he couldn’t borrow the horse because they planned to use it that day. This made Stotler angry and, before leaving, swore vengeance against the family.

He returned at around 7:00 that evening, burst into the house, and began verbally abusing the family, especially Eisnagle’s two daughters. William stepped up and confronted Stotler. Their mother held on to Isaac to prevent him from entering the fray. During the scuffle, Stotler drew a pocketknife and stabbed William in the chest four times. The blade penetrated his heart, and he died instantly. Then, pushing Mrs. Eisnagle aside, he grabbed Isaac, threw him on the bed, stabbed and killed him as well. 

Stotler turned to attack Jacob, but he was prepared. He struck Stotler with a piece of wood, breaking the knife. Though much older than Stotler, Jacob fought him to a standoff. As they clinched, Stotler said, “If you’ll quit, I’ll quit.” Jacob released him, and Stotler walked out the door.

Stotler boarded with Jacob Eisnagle’s mother, who lived nearby. He went to the house, washed up, and had dinner with the elderly woman who had no idea what had happened at her son’s house.

“Granny, I think there is someone dead up there from the way they holler,” he said, indicating Jacob's house. “I’ll go up and see.”

Instead of going back to the murder house, he went into the woods to hide. When news of the murders hit town, a posse was formed to hunt for the killer. He was arrested the following morning by the Sheriff of Madison County, who managed to take Stotler safely to jail, despite serious threats of lynch law from the residents of Anderson.

George Stotler, 26, spoke openly from his jail cell, recounting his life story to reporters. He said his mother died when he was 8, leaving him her blessing and advising him to lead a religious life. He joined the army at 18, and there “contracted habits of profanity and intemperance.” After leaving the army, he vowed to be a better man and joined the church. But soon he returned to his old companions and his intemperate habits. He was drunk on the day of the murders.

Those who knew Stoler told a different story. The Evansville Daily Journal said, he “has been known as a cool blooded rascal all his life.” At the start of the Civil War, he enlisted in the 36th Indiana Regiment but deserted after just a few months. The members of the regiment were glad to have him gone. He had no respect for authority and would fight with the men on the slightest provocation. He was arrested in Cincinnati for desertion, and while in custody, he killed one of the guards. Stotler was court-martialed and sentenced to be shot. When it was determined that the guard had abused Stotler a great deal more than was necessary, his sentence was reduced to two years in prison. Following his release, Stotler went back home and, since then, had been “leading an idle, worthless life.”

Stotler’s murder trial began on November 1, 1868. Public sentiment against him was so strong in Madison County that his attorneys were granted a change of venue. The case was tried in Muncie, Delaware County. As the trial progressed, open threats were made that if the jury did not bring in a verdict inflicting the death penalty, the prisoner would be taken and lynched.

The trial lasted a week. Stotler’s attorney spoke for three hours in his closing arguments. The jury deliberated for more than a day before returning a verdict of guilty to second-degree murder. Though the community was hoping for first-degree murder and a public hanging, no attempt was made to lynch him. George Stotler, once again, evaded execution.

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Sources: 

“An Atrocious Murder,” Chicago Times, March 13, 1868.
“A Double Murder,” Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, March 28, 1868.
“Horrible Double Murder,” American and Commercial Advertiser, March 12, 1868.
“The Horrible Murder at Anderson,” The Cincinnati Enquirer, November 9, 1868.
“Indiana,” New York Herald, March 10, 1868.
“Stotler, the Madison County Murderer,” The Cincinnati Daily Enquirer, May 4, 1868.
“A Terrible Tragedy,” Chicago Times, March 10, 1868.
“Terrible Tragedy at Daleville,” The Evansville Daily Journal, March 10, 1868.