First murder in Ramsey never solved

The first murder of Ramsey Township took place early in the evening of Nov. 22, 1872.  It was a cowardly act, and the perpetrator was never found and charged.
Thomas Francis "Frank" Little was sitting in the front room of his home with his sisters, Laura, Sarah Deborah and 12-year-old Emily. A lamp was lit, and Frank and the girls were seated around the room, spending the evening in song.
Suddenly, the voices raised in song changed to screams of fear as an unknown assailant fired through the window, the ball striking Frank in the back, between the shoulder blades. He fell to the floor a corpse.
Frank was only 25 years old, and the guardian of his three sisters, following the death of their mother, Malinda, the preceding year. Their father, Samuel Little, died in 1864.
Living as a neighbor was Frank’s half-brother, George Little. He stated on oath to the coroner’s jury that he “heard a horse pass his house going east, heard the report of a gun and in a few minutes heard the horse going west at a full run.” He also said he heard the girls scream, but thought they were playing a game.
Neighbors gathered. George insisted that someone go for the coroner. Some thought that they should rather chase after the assailant. It would be George who would ride to Vandalia for help.
The coroner arrived, viewed the corpse and held an inquest. He called a jury of 12 men, including R.H. Gray, J.M. Patent, Marcus H. and J.W. Cline, C.J. Butler, John Hayes, Sam Casey, David P. Dave, George Little, Charles Conwell, S.H. Pugh and John F. Brown.
It was discovered that the bullet came from a mould. Someone suggested that a search be made of every house in the neighborhood, while others said everyone would consider himself accused of murder if this was done.
A later search did uncover a bullet mould, George Little’s, whose bullet matched exactly the weight of the one taken from Frank’s body. This information was judged as inconclusive, and no action was taken.
An investigation was launched into the senseless killing of this well-liked, inoffensive young farmer. Within four days, reward money totaling $840 was collected by subscription to be paid upon "the arrest and conviction of the person who shot and killed Thomas Francis Little at his residents (sic) of Fayette County, Illinois…"
Information in the various affidavits of witnesses suggests there was family trouble. Frank’s uncle, Lewis Little, with whom the family lived after the death of their father, died a year to the day before Frank was murdered.
Among Lewis’ real estate property to be sold at auction was a 40-acre tract of good land in Section 30, Ramsey Township.
Frank wanted this land, and made no secret about it. He was told not to bid on it by a relative, who also wanted the same tract, as it also adjoined his property. According to the witness, Frank was determined to have it, reportedly saying, “Let it cost what it would.”
On the day he was murdered, Frank sold other property to have enough money in hand so he could pay top dollar for this 40-acre parcel and outbid anyone else.
An affidavit alleges that Frank made a particular effort to tell his half brother, George, that he meant to be high bidder at the upcoming auction.
Thomas Francis Little was buried in Little Cemetery, but no stone marks his grave.  
George Little was appointed guardian of the three sisters, Laura, Sarah Deborah and Emily, who all married and had families.
The murder of Frank Little went unsolved – the reward money unpaid. As the years passed, the pain lessened. And in the next generation, several children born into the family were named Francis.