The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-16
HORRIBLE MURDER.
Details Of a Double Tragedy En-
acted in an Illinois Town.
An Aged Compile the victins-Their Bodies
mutiiated Beyond Recogniiion-No AR
rest Ret Made.

CHICAGO, Feb. 1b.-James L. Wilson Of Win
netka, u years of age, and his wife, who was
paralytic, were both found Wednesday in their
home murdered. Though the murder was not
discovered until Wednesday morning it un-
donbtedly occurred Tuesday night. Mr.. Will
sons body was found behind the library stove.
His hand was cleuohed and was. underneath
his head. TIE left arm was raised as il to
ward OFF blow. Two pistol balls had entered
bis body. One passed through the left cheek
and broke off several teeth and the Jaw bone
the other penetrated his chest, passing through
the left lung and lodging in the muscles of his
back. His haed, arms and legs and the furni.
ture OF the room gave evidence that there had
been a terrible struggle, The fender of the
stove and the back of one of the chairs had
been broken. Nine of the murdered mans
rios were broken, and his face was mashed be-
yond recognition. The assassin had finished
ms work by stamping on his victim with his
heavy boots
In an upper room Mrs Wilson's BODY Law on
sne bed. The head was so beaten and the feat
ures SO mutilated as to be utterly unrecogniza-
bic. The flesh and the skin OF the forehead
were entirely stripped off, and the skull beaten
in. The arm that was not paralyzed was beaten
black and blue from the shoulder to the finger
tips. The bed and walls, even the ceiling,
were despatched with blood. The heavy cane
with which she used to rap on the floor to call
her husband lay on the floor, broken and GOV.
cred with blood. At the foot of the bed were
a broken pair of fire tongs, and sword which
had hung in Mr.. Wilson's room. There was
every indication that the woman had fought
heroically with the assassin, and had been lit
orally beaten to DEATH
Mr.. Wilson came to Winnetka from Hills
N in 1870 hau do
money in the drug business, he went to Win
netka in 1860, adding to his wealth by real
estate dealings. He was amiable, possessed of
rare intelligence, and an extensive reader. He
was a lover of art and painted with skill, and
was popular with all who knew him. Mrs.
Wilson was in many respects notable woman.
She had read extensively, and was an admira-
Bile conversationalist. Years ago the family
were intimate with many of the leading
lawyers of the State, including Abraham Lin
coin aud Stephen a. Douglass, who admired
the intelligence and powers of conversation of
Mrs. Wilson. Mr.. Wilson was first cousin of
Franklin Pierce, ex-President of the United
States, and nephew of Gen. John Mcneil.
Eight years ago Mrs. Wilson was stricken
with paralysis. This aud the loss of consider
able money by the failure of the Fidelity Bank
affected her mind; but she was regarded as lit
tie more than eccentric. For q long time she
carried her money in bag around her arm.
At times she would hide it in queer places.
well as attending 70 the wants Of his wife, who
was confined TO her bed and who only at rare
intervals was able to move about With the aid
of cane.
The entire house had been ransacked, but it
is impossible to calculate the amount of prop
erty stolen. Nothing valuable was left but
$3.50 in cash and $1,000 in village bonds. 1t is
known that Mr.. Wilson kept large sums of
money about him. Mr.. Wilson's gold watch
was missing. The detectives think the murder
was committed by some business associates of
Mr.. Wilson.
1t is evident that the crime was committed
by some one familiar with Mr.. Wilson's habits.
For years past he has come to Chicago eyery
Wednesday to deposit money and transact 9TH
er business. He had just received a consider
able sum of money from the sale of some land
in Michigan, and is thought to have had at
the time of the murder more than a customary
amount on hand. There is no clue to the iden-
tity of the mysterious visitor. The excitement
in the village over the tragedy grows with
each hour. Last evening meeting of towns
men offered reward of $1,000 for iniorma-
tion leading to the arrest of the murderer.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wilson will be buried tomor-
row afternoon at 2 o'clock. In Chicago the
tragedy has created a sensation, the victims
being widely and favorably known