Cincinnati (OH) Daily Enquirer, August 21, 1870, p. 5.
NEW ALBANY, INDIANA
[Special Dispatch to the Enquirer]
New Albany, Indiana, August 20, 1870. A horrible, cold-blooded murder was
committed at Newton Stewart, Orange County, on Thursday evening. William
Watkins carried away a shirt belonging to his employer, James W. Foster, a
well known and esteemed citizen. When asked by Foster when he would bring
it back, Watkins became furious, seized an axe and cut Foster on the
shoulder nearly severing his arm from his body, repeated his blows and
striking nearly in the place. When Foster turned round, Watkins dealt his
victim a blow in the left side under his shoulder, severing his heart in
twain, and killing him instantly.
Watkins was arrested and taken to Paoli to jail. The horrible deed caused
intense excitement. The last accounts say Judge Lynch will probably try the
case.