Geneva Gazette July 3, 1874

Probable fatal affray in Phelps!

Our community were startled last evening by the report that a bloody altercation had occurred between Charles Eighmey (pronounced Amey) and George Crandall, near Oaks Corners, and during the afternoon. The report proved but too true by later and more authentic accounts. It seems that Crandall, who owns a small farm near the corners, had Eighmey in his employ having hired him for the season. A wordy and acrimonious quarrel took place previously at the house, of which Mrs. Crandall was a witness, and she was so incensed at the conduct of Eighmey that she advised her husband to discharge him at once. But the latter declined, saying that he needed him, had engaged in for the season, and must keep him.

They went to work together after dinner, hoeing potatoes. Subsequent reports of what occurred between them come only from one source, from Eghmey. He says that the quarrel was renewed and became more acrimonious than before, and that finally Crandall attacked him with a hoe. He says he warded off the blow in self-defense and struck back with the blade of the hoe which took effect upon his employer’s head; that in the heat of passion he struck several other blows, he don’t know how many, but probably all took affect, when Crandall fell bleeding and insensible at his feet. He then went to the house and gave notice of the affray and that Crandall was badly injured.

Neighbors were rallied and the insensible form of Crandall was taken to his house. Dr. Howe of Phelps was immediately summoned, who, upon examination, found that in two or three places the hoe had penetrated to the brain, while on the left side and on the back of the neck other blows had cut several of the smaller veins from which the victim had suffered a heavy loss of blood.

Eighmey submitted to the immediate arrest. He is an unmarried man, aged about twenty-three years, and the youngest son of an honest hard-working farmer of the same neighborhood. -Mr. Wiley Eighmey. Much doubt prevails as to the truth of Eighmey statements, from the fact his person bears scarcely perceptible scratch. But we will not prejudge the case, as it will in time undergo thorough investigation. Crandall, as already will have been conceived by the reader, is a married man - aged about forty-two years, oldest and only surviving son of our well known townsman Ambrose Crandall everybody knows that the injured man was not naturally of a quarrelsome disposition, and it must have been most aggravated persecution that led him to assault if he really began it. His case is critical in the extreme. A report was in circulation early this morning that he died last night of his wounds, but subsequent accounts represent that he is still alive, and unconscious, and that there is but slight hopes of his recovery.

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