St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-06-21
TIE KANSAS RUTCHERY.

in Pursuit.
PLEASAETON, KAS., June g.
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 we're
found in Sugar Creek, FIVE miles from
Pleasanton, and details of the terrible af-,
fair are given as follows: The discovery
was first made by w. Fl. Mltheny, who,
looking for 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 deed on record.
1t appears from evidence obtained that a
man with team and wagon containing
woman and three children drove
into the woods on Sugar Creek
about mile above the mouth on
Tuesday of last week and there COM,
mitted the deed. The boy and girl found
III 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 a 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 FIVE
hundred yards northeast of the wagon,
partially concealed in the forks of fallen
tree. This was the body of woman
probably thirty-fVe 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.
a 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 cross-cut saw, two
iron wedges and few cooking uten-
sis. The clothing on all the bodies
was quite plain, the women haV-
ing on only calico dresses, and but
very little other clothing. A yellow
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
dictate who they were or where they fqme
from. A thimble and fifteen cents iR 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 impaneIed 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 I'M
known party, probably on Tuesday after
noon or evening, May 81.
Thomas Holmes, who lives about half
3 mile south of the scene of the murder,
testified that Il spare-built man about.
ifty-tVe or sixty years of age, with thin.
grayish Whiskers, came to his house early
Wednesday morning and seemed very
much unnerVed, claiming he had a chill
and wished to rest. His answers were
ncoherent, and he claimed he did not.
know Where ne was, and mentioned
something about coming from Mulberry,
No. 1t was suspected he was the mur-
lerer. 1t is pretty well ascertained that
| party passed through this place and in
luired for Jones Switch and the prospect
If getting work there. Four women'A
lats were found in the wagon, which led
o the belief that there was another VIC
i'm. The bodies were very badly de-
having lain probably six days.
This, together with the mutilated condi-
ion, presented sight horrid and sicken-
ng.
Sam Miller while searching along the
reek yesterday found another body,
which proved to be that of a girl six or
even years old. She had the same marks
S the others, having her skull crushed
nd throat cut.
Mr.. Mat. MuIlis, living in Missouri,
bout three miles from the. State line,
Identified the victims as the family of
ohm H. Anderson, who has been living
j that vicinity since last winter. A
epheW of Mrs. Anderson, by the name
Louis Wampler, lived with them and
supposed to have committed the deed.
Tampler and Anderson lett together OH
unday, May 25, and on Monday eve
ing Wampler returned and told
Trs. Anderson that Mr.. Anderson
as in Jail at Pleasanton and that
ne was needed as witness. He hastily
acked the family in the wagon and start
1 after dark. He passed through here
uesday morning about two O'clock, and
I'D a night Waterman his name and made
ome inquiries about the road. Wampler
about thirty-five years old, heavy set,
it'll black hair and heavy dark mus
che. 1t is supposed that he killed An
arson on Monday and returned for the