BUTCHERY OF A WHOLE FAMILY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 382, 15 August 1874, Page 3

BUTCHERY OF A WHOLE FAMILY.

San Diego, 19th. May. Word was brought to this city last night of a horrible murder committed near San Diego, about twenty six miles from here. A neighbor passing the house, and noticing no one stirring about the premises, commenced investigating, and found a man lying near the door wibh his head beaten in, evidently with a piece of scantling. His wife was lying on the floor near the stove, with her head split open, apparently with an axe. An infant girl, a few months old, waa lying • in the cradle, also killed with au axe. A boy about nine years old, who had crawled under the bed, apparently to hide, wa3 struck by the axe while in that position, splitting his head open. Two other children — a boy of seven years, and a girl of five years old — were lying on the bed with their heads split open, evidently with the same instrument, which has been found. The blood being still a bright red, gives reason for the belief that the murder must have been committed. on Friday or Saturday. The man's name was John Overend, a native of Ireland, aged fifty-five years. He was a quiet and highly respected man. He was marris'l 0113 year ago to Mrs. Mary Horsefeldt, aj^il thirty. The children were Mrs. liorsefeldt's by her former husband. Overend -was Lxsb seca in San Diego on the 2nd May, when he s->LI liis wool to Wi W. Stewart," of this city, He then purchased a bill of goods of Gordon aud Hastard, of this city. Father Übach Miguel Aguirre, and others, being notified of the murder, went to examine the premises, and found that the massacre had evilsutly been committed about dusk, as all the supper dishes were still standing on tho table, and and all the victims were in their day-clothes. They found everything turned up ride down. The goods purchased from Gordon and tlastard, a Henry rifle, 62 dollars in money, a certificate of deposit for 1,000 dollars, and a promissory note for 100 dollars were evidently unnoticed by the murderers. N->t a blanket was to be found in the house. A coroner's inquest was held yesterday, and adjourned till to day ; they have not yet rendered a verdict, but we expect to hear from them this evening. There is no clue as yet to the perpetrators.