The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1884-06-12
THE KANSAS BUTCHERY.

Details of the Recent Butchery of an Entire
Family of Six Persons Near PIeasanton,
Kansas-The Motive of the Crime and the
Probable Murderer-Omcers and CItizenE
In Pursuit.
PLEAsANToN, KAs., June s.
The discovery of the horrible butchery
of an entire family by a single murderer
has caused the widest excitement in
this part of the country. The bodies were
found in Sugar Greek, five miles from
Pleasanton, and details of the terrible af-
fair are given as follows: The discovery
was first made by w. H. M4theny, who,
looking for a crossing on the creek, dis
covered the bodies of two children
in the water. He gave the
alarm, and further Investigation re-
vealed the most shocking dee d on record.
1t appears from evidence obtained that
| man with team and wagon containing
a woman and three children drove
into the woods on Sugar Creek
about a mile above the mouth on
Tuesday of last week and there com.
mitted the deed. The boy and girl found
| in the creek were aged eight and thirteen
years. Both bore marks of violence, the
girls head being crushedin several places
and the boys skull crushed and throat
cut from ear to ear. The next body
/ found was that of girl about sixteen,
whose headless trunk lay between the
wheels of the wagon, while the head lay
/ near pallet fifteen feet from the wagon.
Clots of blood showed that she had met
her fate at that place. The head had
been severed near the body and the skull
crushed in several places. Several gashes
on the arm showed that she had made
resistance
The fourth body was found some hve
hundred yards northeast of the wagon,
! partially concealed in the forks of fallen
tree. This was the body of a woman
| probably thirty-five or forty years of age,
| and numerous wounds showed that she
| had made resistance and probably ran
| into the woods to escape. The skull was
| crushed and throat cut, nearly severing
| her head from the trunk.
| \ horse was grazing in the vicinity,
| while complete set of harness except
| bride, indicated that the perpetrator
/ took the other horse to escape. The
| wagon contained a Cross-cut saw, two
/ iron wedges and a lew cooking uten-
| sis. The clothing on all the bodies
was quite plain, the women hav-
| ing on only ca leo dresses, and but
/ shepherd dog with white feet and white
| ring around his neck, evidently belonging
| with them, hung around the bodies as if
/ familiar with them. Nothing was found
| about the wagon or on the persons to in
| dicate who they were or where they came
| from. A thimble and fifteen cents in sill
| yer in the pockets of the woman were the
| only trinkets found A fire, which was
| still burning, had probably destroyed all
| letters and marked articles, if any had
| existed
Constable Gass came to town and
| Squire Atkins impaneled a Coroner's
| jury, which could elicit but few facts
| further than description of the unfOr-
tunate parties and that they came to
their deaths at the hands of some un-
known party, probably on Tuesday after
| noon or evening, May p.
Thomas Holmes, who lives about halt
a mile south of the scene of the murder,
| testified that a spare-built man about
| fifty-hve or sixty years of age, with thin,
| grayiSh Whiskers, came to his house early
| Wednesday morning and seemed very
much unnerved, claiming he had chill
and wished to rest. His answers were
| incoherent, and he claimed he did not
know where he was, and mentioned
something about coming from Mulberry,
Mo. 1t was suspected he was the MUIR
derer. 1t is pretty well ascertained that
I
qulred for Jones Switch and the prospect
of getting work there. Four wOmen's
hats were found in the wagon, which led
to the belief that there was another VIC
tim. The bodies were very badly de-
composed, having lain probably six days.
This, together with the mutilated condi-
ton, presented a sight horrid and sicken-
ing.
Sam Miller while searching along the
creek yesterday found another body, /
which proved to be that of girl six or
seven years old. She had the same marks
as the others, having her skull crushed
and throat cut.
Mr.. Mat. Mullis, living in Missouri,
about three miles from the State line,
identified the victims as the family of
John IL. Anderson, who has been living
in that vicinity since last winter. A
nephew of Mrs. Anderson, by the name
of Louis Wampler, lived with them and
is supposed to have committed the deed.
Wampler and Anderson left together on
Sunday, May 25, and on Monday eve
ming Wampler returned and told
Mrs. Anderson that Mr.. Anderson
was in Jail at PIeasanton and that
she was needed a witness. He hastily
packed the family in the wagon and start
ed after dark. He passed through here
Tuesday morning about two O'Clock, and
told a night watchman his name and made
is about thirty-1ve years old, heavy set,
with black hair and heavy dark mus
tache. 1t is supposed that he killed An
derson on Monday and returned for the
family.
Anderson was a member of Jewell Post,
No. 3, G. A. r. na
The cause of the murder is supposed
to have been to cover up a previous
crime known to Anderson and his family
Anderson's body was found yesterday
in a disused coal shaft on Yocum farm,
Just over the line of Bates County, Mis-
souri,, with hole in his head, probably
made with an axe.
The search for Wampler so far has
been unsuccessful, but it is certain that
he was seen III boat on the river last
night, and is undoubtedly hiding some
where in the neighborhood. Search viii
be continued this morning and it is
thought he cannot possibly escape. The
County Commissioners have offered a re-
ward of $500 for Wampler's capture.
Great excitement prevails.
The Penn Bank Books.
PITTSBURGH. PA, June A.
Assignee Warner of the Penn Bank Oh |
this city to-day made a comprehensive |
report of the condition of the books. The |