Connecticut western news., 1879-09-17
A Remarkable Crime.
THE TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AT wAYNESvILLE, OHIO, COMMITTED BY BoY-A SCENE OF BLOOD.


 light at Waynesville, Ohio, presents some features which are without par allel in the annals of crime. About twenty years ago Miss Gregg, then six teen years of age, was married, at her home. in Indiana, to Daniel R. Ander- son, now carpenter, living in Cincin- natl. They took up their residence in Waynesville, quiet village near Cin- cinnati. Soon after the birth of their first child, Mrs. Anderson obtained @ divorce from her husband. on the ground of neglect. The custody of the boy was given to the father. She afterward married man named Hatte, who has since died in an insane asylum. Not long ago Mrs. Hatte, then widow, re- turned to Waynesville to reside. Will lie, the son by her first husband, Ander- son, lived with her, and contributed to her support by his earnings as printer. He was eighteen years of age, and ap- peared to be dutiful and affectionate to- ward his mother. A few weeks ago, Mrs. Weeks, who had been divorced from her husband, went with her daugh- ter, girl about twelve years old, to live with Mrs. Hatte and her son. The two mothers were sisters. This small household was living in apparent har- mony and happiness in an unpreten- tious house on the main street of Waynesville. They were respected by their neighbors and all who knew them.
 On Tuesday, August 26, and as late as half-past seven o'clock of that even- ing, friendly calls were made at Mrs. Hatte's home by her neighbors. Moth ing unusual in the domestic affairs or relations of the family was noticed. The son spent the evening with one of his youthful associates, and started for home about nine o'clock. On Tuesday morn ing, and for several days following, the house appeared to be closed. The boy reported that his mother, aunt, and cousin had gone on visit to Cincinnati. During the rest of the week he went to the hotel for his meals, and at least two nights he slept in the printing office where he was employed. Otherwise, no change in his daily life and habits was observed. He continued to work at the printing office, and associated with his friends as usual. Several times during the day he was seen going to and from his mothers house. He acted in his usual manner, and his movements at- tracted no special attention. On Satur- day he told several of his friends that he had received letter announcing the sickness of his mother in Cincinnati, and that he should start to see her on the next day. He accordingly took the Sun- day train for that city, where, on the following morning, he called on his father, Daniel B. Anderson. The two spent the day together, visiting various places of interest, and in the evening they went to the theater. They lodged at the same hotel that night, and on Tuesday morning parted company. The son left for Waynesville, to which place he seemed to be very anxious to return. The train had not gone far when heiwas put off because he had no money with which to pay his fare. On the next day, Wednesday, the body of boy was found in coal-shed at Plainvllle, small sta tion few miles from Cincinnati. It was identified as that of Willie Ander- son, who had shot himself in the head the night before.
 On Friday following the Wednesday on which Mrs. Hatte and her sister and niece were reported to have rgone to Cincinnati, peculiar odor. about their closed house was perceived by several of the neighbors. In day or two after ward this was generally noticed by per- sons passing the house, and became so offensive that complaint was made to the town authorities. On Tuesday the Mar shal went to the house to. make an ex- animation of the premises. A dead body was found in the back room, and two others in the front room. All were horribly cut and r'gashed about the head, and were in an advanced stage of de- composition. Lime had been;sprinkled copiously over. the bodies and the floor. The walls, furniture, and floors were spattered with blood. On the floor were found a pocket-knife and hatchet, which were evidently the instruments used in the bloody work. The night clothes in which the bodies were clad and the condition of the beds showed that the victims had been massacred in their sleep, or at leasE after they had gone to bed. There was no evidence of burglary, robbery, or outrage. The murdered persons were found to be Mrs. Hatte, Mrs. Weeks, and the latter's young daughter.
 There is no reason for doubt that either Willie Anderson alone had wan tonly murdered his mother, his aunt, and his cousin, or that he aided another in doing the deadly work. There is some evidence tending to show that the killing was done about midnight of Tuesday, August 26, and that the son had an accomplice in the fendish crime. Further than this nothing is known as to what hour, by whom, or for what pur- pose the deed was done. Daniel R.. Anderson, the father of the boy, was arrested on suspicion 'and taken to Waynesville. But after examination he was promptly discharged. No satis- factory theory of the crime has yet been advanced, and no plausible motive can be conceived. Whether the boy com mitted the deed with or without an ac- oomplice, his part in the tragedy is ut- terly inexplicable on all the facts known, and presents questions of the deepest r.a:nnk;&o iroko,.ont Ho hol r,ot hnnn