AUBURN, ILL. , August 16, - Yesterday our quiet village was thrown into a whirlpool of excitement by the announcement that Walter Ney was murdered by Joseph Lockridge. Hastening at once to the scene of conflict your correspondent found the wounded man in a dangerous condition. Dr. Palmer of Joliet were called and dressed the wound, which proved to be a laceration of the skull. They entertained no hopes of recovery. The cause of the affray was this:

It seems that one of Lochridge's chickens died and he threw it over into the street, which proved to be near Ney's door yard. Ney threw it back. Lockridge repeated, and Ney threw it at him, telling him at the time he (Hey) would shoot him, simultaneously drawing a revolver and firing. Lockridge, in the meantime, picked up a club and started in pursuit of Ney, whom the latter backed out of his way, firing as he went, but was finally overtaken by Lochridge, who dealt him two severe blows just back of the left temple, breaking the skull and causing an aperture about an inch in diameter. It is a ghastly wound inflicted by a club about three feet long and triangular in shape. Ney is still living this morning, but is momentarily expedited to die. the preliminary examination is going on before Esq. Parks. Considerable excitement prevails on the streets this morning.

LATER - Lockridge was first arrested on a warrant charging him with assault and battery, but before proceeding with the examination another warrant was issued, in which he was charged with an assault with intent to kill.

Auburn Citizen, August 19, 1875

On Sunday forenoon our town was the scene of a terrible affray between two men of this town. Jos. H. Lochridge and Walter Ney, whose premises are contiguous, and between whom a feud has been existing for some months.

From what we can learn, the facts are substantially as follows: A dead fowl was thrown over the fence by some of Lochridge's family during last week, and on Sunday Morning thrown back into L's yard by Ney. Mrs. L. again threw it out and it was again returned by N. Lochridge came home shortly, having been absent, and threw the fowl out again. Hereupon started the quarrel between the two men, which proceeded from crimination to recrimination, when Ney, pulled out a revolver, they being but four or five yards apart and fired at Lochridge three times without touching him. Meanwhile Lochridge seized a part of a heavy barrel stave and struck Ney on the head twice, once over the ear and once neat the base of the brain, on one side. Both blows fractured the skull.

Lochridge was taken in charge by Constable Cary, and on Monday had a preliminary examination before Justice Parks.

The warrant charged him with assault and battery, but before proceeding with the case, another warrant was issued, charging him with assault with attempt to kill.

A large number of witnesses were summoned, and the case occupied the whole day. Esq. Williams sat on the bench as associate. A. P. Stover appeared for the people, and Geo. W. Murray for the defense. The pleas of both lawyers were highly creditable efforts. About � past seven o'clock the case closed with a verdict for acquittal.

AS we go to press Ney is still living and some hopes are entertained of his recovery, though out of his head a good part of the time and unmanageable.

Lochridge is an old settler in this vicinity. Ney is a Canadian, and has been about here some six or eight years. Both are married Men.

Note from George Keane: My best guess is that this is Joseph H. Lochridge born about 1824, spouse Elizabeth Wallace Frazier. His parents John Lockridge, b. 17 Jul, 1789, and Margaret Killough b. abt 1791.

Lineage. John Lockridge Rev. War Patriot; William A. Lockridge; John Lockridge

Submitted by: George Keane