A MURDERER TALKING IN HIS SLEEP.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 877, 21 October 1871, Page 2

A MURDERER TALKING IN HIS SLEEP.

About the Ist of October last, John Krippin, a peddler, left Potosi for a trip through the counties 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 peddler saw a fellow dogging his waggon, appearing at times suddenly and anon becoming invisible. He had the utmost confidence in 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 ana ran away. Thompson caught two of the horses, but instead of returning to the waggon 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 Frankford, Mo., and was looking out a location for a saloon. St George had his suspicions aroused and insisted on his remaining 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 not kill Krippen! no, I'll,be d -d if I killed him, and I won't 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 something about the purchase of a load of corn, or something to that effect. The next night the same words were repeated. Next morning St George called on Dawson B. Anderson, and related what he had seen and heard. Anderson was conversant with all the facts of the murder of Krippin, 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, and 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 1400 dollars offered for the capture of Thompson, which Anderson and St George will doubtless receive upon his delivery.