Michigan News - Including A Murder Trial

Ionia [MI] Sentinel Thursday, June 9, 1881
[Extracted Items]

NEWS OF THE WEEK - MICHIGAN

The trial of Dr. Hall of Davisburg, for the murder of his wife (Anna Clough Hall), has been commenced in the Oakland Circuit Court. [Ionia Sentinel, 9 June 1881]

He (Dr. Nathan C. Hall) apparently married 2nd Sarah (Wright) Murgittroyd, widow of Edward Murgittroyd. This report by the Michigan prison system stated that he (Dr. Hall) "Dis. by order of the Supreme Court for new trial June 22, 1882". Apparently there were three trials; he was convicted on November 7th [1882?]. The legal reasons for a new trial or trials can be found here.

His name (Nathan Christopher Hall) was found in the University of Michigan's Necrology File Index here and online here in the University of Michigan's General Catalogue.

1880 MI Census Oakland Co., Springfield Twp.
Nathan C. HALL Self W W 29 MI Doctor NY NY
Mary HALL Sister S W 16 MI At Home NY NY

In other news:

A soda fountain at St. Joseph's exploded nearly killing one man. [Ionia Sentinel]

Charles A. Richmond, of Saginaw, has sold the Jewell House at Vassar to Detroit parties, who occupy immediately. [Ionia Sentinel]

A boy named Willie Richmond, twelve years old, was drowned while playing on the logs in Hoyt's mill boom at Saginaw. He was an only son. [Ionia Sentinel]

The Saginaw Public Library hosts a City of Saginaw Cemeteries search. The following was found for Willie Richmond:

William Richmond
Cemetery Brady Hill
Section 3E
Lot 28
Space N Line of S 1/2
Date of Birth Unknown
Marker No
Age at Death 13
Cause of Death Accidentally drowned
Date of Death May 30, 1881

There was an Ann Richmond, age 32, buried 3E, Lot 28, 2nd N Line of S 1/2, in Brady Hill Cemetery, who died 16 June 1882.

Robert McFadden, a circular sawyer at the Bliss mill, East Saginaw, was killed, having his left leg cut off by being thrown on to the saw. [Ionia Sentinel]

Mrs. Sarah McGraw, who lives at 159 Fort street west, Detroit, was strangled to death by being caught between the door of the house and a shelf of a dumb waiter, while trying to go from the basement to the first door. She had been out calling, and on her return to the house found that the family had retired. So she tried to gain entrance to the house in this way. [Ionia Sentinel]