Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1875-06-04

'EItc Sexton Her Supposed MUIR j
Ccrer.

BOsToN, Nav 23.-Another murder
even more horrible in its details than
that of Mrs. Bingham, q few weeks
since was perpetrated in the city this
afternoon. A bright little girl, five
years of age, was murdered in a church
and her bruised and mutilated body
carried up into tower and thrown
upon the floor Of ihe loft. The victim
was MabIe il. Young, who with her
widowed mother resided with her
| grandfather at 80 East Chester Park.
The latter, Nlr. James Hobbs, is a we'll
known and highly respected merchant,
senior of the firm Of Hobbs, Pope &
! Co. This afternoon little Mabel, in
company with an aunt, attended the
Sunday school anniversary exercises of
Warren Avonue Baptist Church, and,
on coming ont Of church, at half past
three o'clock, the aunt remain
ed in the vcstibule about ten
minutes conversiug with some friends,
and as she was starting homo she
missed the child, who lew minutes
before was ct her side. At first it was
supposed she had gone back into the
church, but when she was not found
inside, and outsiders declared that
she had not come out, her aunt be-
came alarmed, aud search commenced
in every direction. About four o'clock
some ladies at an open window across
the street heard FAINT cries OF a child
apparently from the church tower, and
noticed an unusual commOtion among
the doves that swarmcd IL and out OF
the window. Some young men who
had joined in the search started at
once to ascend the tower. They found
the door leading up from the organ to
the loft locked, and on forcing 1t open
were startled to see fresh blood upon
| the floor and steps leading up to the
next landing. Thy also fonnG q strip
! of board covered with blood at one
/ end, end heard low meanings from
/ above, Ascending a long, steep flight
| of stair and raising the scujtle, which
resisted the strength Of :, strong man,
they found the mingled body OF the
child lying near the edge Of the scut-
tie, Sd though it had. been carried up
! the steps and hastily thrown down
down into the church where large
number OF persons had congregated
and into the presence Of her agonized
friends. From the top of her head,
which was broken IL, the blood and
DIN-I1S WGiS HAC"i.t CS<---1Sp "iIAiO eho
nose was crushed in, and the face ter
ribIy mangled. Thomas Piper, who
has been sexton of the church about
a year, was soon after arrested and is
now confined at the chiefs office. He
was engaged at work about the church,
| but his suspicious manner and his de-
NAL that he had the keys when the two
| keys fitting the doors OF the tower
were taken from his person., points
strongly to him as the party. He Is
dark, heavy set man, about 26 years
old, and has once before been under
the suspicion Of murder, but was dis
charged from want of sufficient evi-
dtnce. Many Of the police still believe
him guilty Of the murder of young
girlin Dorcheete distI ct, about fifteen
months since. This last affair has
caused Il profound sensation in the
community, and intense excitement
prevails The very boIdness Of the
affair lends additional horror TO 1T.
Scarcely thrce-quarter5 of an hour
elapsed from the tine the child came
out of the vestibule Of the church un-
til sue wa found III a dying condition.
How she was entic. ! away, and fol
what motive has not transpired.
TIE VICTIM STILL BREATHEs.
BosToN, May 24-LittIe Mabel H.
Young is still alive but unconscious.
Physicians think that il Inflammation
: does not ensuo her life may be saved.
Cumulative evidence, amony other
things, blood stains on his collar.
handkerchief and clothing, strength
ems belief i'll the guilt Of Sexton Piper
DEATH OF THE VICTIM.
Mabel H. Young, the victim Of the
Warren Avenue Clurch tregedy. died
this afternoon. The feeling agains
, Piper, the supposed murderer, is III
J tense with ali classes.