Tellyea, Chas. Murdered Feb. 21, 1862

TELLYEA, LIVENGOOD, LIVINGGOOD

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:42

Source: New Oregon Plain Dealer July 12, 1861, Reprinted in Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Sept. 9, 1902, LP, C6, 7

Murdered Man Found—Chas. Tellyea, who our readers will remember was missing last winter from his home near Bluffton, Winnesheik Co., supposed to have been murdered, was found on Tuesday last in Silver Creek horribly mutilated. His skull was cut through in three different places by some sharp Instrument, supposed to have been an axe, his left Jaw completely broken in. * * besides other marks of violence. He disappeared on the 21st of Feb. last, since when no trace of him could be found, * * * until two small boys in attempting to wade a small spring brook discovered a quantity of clothing in the stream and gave the alarm.

After being murdered, be was put in the stream, and stones piled upon him to keep him down, and so effectually was this done that though the place was but a few yards from where the highway crossed the stream less than a mile from Bluffton, he had up to that time remained undiscovered. * * * It will be remembered that suspicion last winter rested upon John Livengood, a brother-in-law, and Mrs. Tellyea, wife of the murdered man. They were discharged about four weeks since from the Decorah jail, in the absence of testimony to indict them for the crime. Since then they have left, but will undoubtedly be arrested.

Coordinator's notes:
A detailed Witness by Witness testimony at the preliminary hearing was printed in the Decorah Republic - Mar. 14, 1861 Page 2

A detailed Witness account of the trial is printed in the Decorah Republic - Mar. 21, 1861 Page 3

Source: Decorah Republic - July 11, 1861 Page 2

The Tellyea Murder Case Revived! - TELLYEA’S REMAINS DISCOVERED!
This case, which all thought was ended, bids fair to again agitate the county. The remains of what is supposed to be Charley Tellyea were found m Silver Creek, on Tuesday last! Intelligence was immediately brought to Decorah, and Bloomfield started in pursuit of Mrs. Tellyea and John Livengood.
The manner in which the body was discovered is as follows.—Two boys from Bluffton were out searching for cows, and. SAW the body lying in the water They recognized the body as Tellyea by the moccasins on the feet, and the parts of the dress visible. Immediately they gave the alarm, and aroused the people. The
body was partly drawn out of the water, and left in that condition to await a coroner’s inquest The head and nearly all the body was enveloped in a blanket, around which a rope was firmly bound By the last advices we received before going to press, the blanket had not been around the body had only been recognized by the clothes, and moccasins which were like those he usually wore, and such us he had on when last seen alive.

Source: New Oregon Plain Dealer Feb. 14, 1862, Reprinted in Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Nov. 18, 1902, LP, C6

John Livingood, indicted at the October term of the District court of Winnesheik county has been found guilty of murder in the second degree, and sentenced to the penitentiary for life