A MURDERER TALKING IN HIS SLEEP.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 8, 16 October 1871, Page 3

A MURDERER TALKING IN HIS SLEEP.

About the Ist of October last, John Krippin, a peddler, left Potosi for atrip through the comities bordering on Arkansas. He had about 700 dollars on his person He employed one Charles Thompson as driver and assistant. When in Ripley county, the pedlcr saw a fellow dogging his wagon, appearing at times suddenly and anon becoming invisible. He had the utmost confidence iu Thompson and so felt comparatively safe. One day while passing along a lonely portion of the road, he was shot through the head from behind and instantly killed. The horses took fright and ran away. Thompson caught two of the horses, hut iustead of returning to the wagon he travelled in another direction. Meantime the murder had been discovered by travellers along the road, the. alarm was given, and a general search for the perpetrators instituted, but without avail. On Tuesday last Thompson arrived at the residence of one St. George, about ten miles south of this city. He was from Frankfort, Mo., and was looking out a location for a saloon. St. George had his suspicions aroused, and insisted on his remaiug a day or two and resting himself, which Thompson finally agreed to do. He assigned him a bed at night in the same room with himself, and was not a little surprised and startled during the night by hearing Thompson talking in his sleep. He listened and heard him say, “ I did nor kill Krippen ! no, I’ll be d_d if I k'lled him, and I wo’nt be arrested for the murder.” This was repeated several times during the night. The next morning Thompson remarked that he did not rest well; that he never could sleep well away from home, and.then inquired of St. George if he had talked any in his sleep, saying that when he was restless he sometimes did talk in his sleep. St. George told him he did hear him mutter somelliiog about the purchase of a load of corn, or something to that effect. The next morning the same words were repeated. Next morning St. George called on Dawson B. Anderson, and related what he liad seen and heard. Anderson was conversant with all the facts of the murder of Krippen, and knew Thompson to be a fugitive from justice. It was agreed between the two to induce Thompson to go to Hannibal, and there have him arrested. They came here on Friday last, aud on Saturday a warrant was issued on the affidavit of Anderson, and Thompson was locked up to await the arrival of the Sheriff of Washington county. There was a reward of 1,400 dollars offered for the capture of Thompson, which Anderson and St. George will doubtless receive upon his delivery.