New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-15
THE WINNETKA MURDERS.
THE VICTIMS TERRIBLY MUTILATED.
MR.. AND MRS. WILSON'S CHARMING QUALITIES AND
FAMOUS CONNECTIONS.
IpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNR.l

MR.. AND MRS. WILSON'S CHARMING QUALITIES AND
FAMOUS CONNECTIONS.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
CHICAGO, Feb. 14-James l.. Wilson, VINO
was murdered, with his paralytc wife, at Wnnetka wa"
seventywo years of age. he came here from Hisporo
N. H. In 1850. After having made money In the urus
business he went 10 WinDetka in 1860, ,aadine W n
wealth by real estate dealings He was amapie' Pos'
sessed of rare intelligence, and extensive reader he
was lover of and painted with skill he TOOK gre
interest in all social problems, and was popular WIN
all who knew him. Mrs. Wilson was In many respects
notable woman She had read extensiyeiy anu was Is"
admirable conversaonalist Years ago the ramiy "o'o
intimate with many Of the leading lawyers OF the oti
including Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglass
who admired the intelligence and powers OF
of Mrs Wilson. Mr. Wilson was first cousin OF FRANK
lin Pierce President of United States and nephew
OF General John McNeil
Eight years ago Mrs Wilson was stricken WIN paraly
sis This aud the loss Of considerable money ny ho
failure OF the Fidelity Bank affected her MIND;
hut she was regarded little more than
eccentric For long time she carried her money In
bag around her arm At times she would hide 1t In queer
places Mr. Wilson did all the household duties, as well
az attending TO the wants OF his wife, who was connned
TO her bed and who only at intervals was aDe W
move about with the aid Of a cane.
BEATEN AND DANCED UPON FURIoUsLy.
Though the murder was not discovered until Wednes-
Wilson's body was found behind the library stove.
His right hand was clenched and was Under
meath his head. The left arm was raised
as II TO ward of blow. Two pistol balls had entered
his body. One passed through the left cheek ana oroke
off severateeth and the jaw bone the other
his chest passing through the left lung ana ioagng
the nrnre % the room gave evidence that there had
been terrible struggle The fender OF tbe stove INC
murdered mans ribs were broken and his FACE was
mashed beyond recognition The assassin had nhlsnea
In an upper room Mrs Wilson's body lay on the bed The
head so beaten and the features SO nut ~ G @ 70 9e
head were entirely stripped off, and the skn was beseh
The arm that was not Paraze& was ReT The bed
and wallis even the ceiling, were bespatered with
blood The heavy cane with which s6e s nseo on 10 f s
oor broken and covered with blood At the foot OF the
hung in Mr.. Wilson's room There was every indication
ard had been literally beaten to DEATH
| THE UNKNOWN EXPECTED GUEST.
The entire house had ransacked but tits impossible
to calculate the amount OF property stolen Nothing val
liable was left but $3.50 in cash, and $4,000 In village
bonds II is known that Mr. Wilson kept large sums about
him. Mt. Wilson's gold watch was missing. The
detectives think the murder committed by some bust
last seen he said he expected friend who was to stay
with him that night In the diningroom the breakfast
table was set for three persons 1t the custom of the
family to act the breakasttabe the night before: Dr.
Mann, of Evanston who examined the remains Saa; 10
4
tak9Stea and spend the evening with him to
discuss business matters An alteration having
arisen between them, the criminal drew his
revolver Mr. Wilson in the cheek so near to him
that 1t burned whskers. The second shot did not kill
his victim he jumped his chest and stomach to
finish the work Then realizing what he had done, hear
ing Mrs Wilson's Oucres and either fearing that she
would beray his presence TO the neghbors or TESTIFY
against him il he did not put her out OF the way he
rushed up stairs and beat her to death
with the tongs and the old sword. am
satisfied that he was no common burglar, and
that his motive something other than robbery The
skull must been fractured by the heavy tongs'
EIt evident that the crime was committed Dy some one
familiar with Mr. Wilson's habits. For years past ne
has come Chicago every Wednesday to deposit money
and transact other business, lie had just received
considerable of money from the sale OF some land In
Michigan thought to have had at the time OF the
murder more than customary amount on hand. There
is no cew TO the identity OF the mysterious visitor
To-day the detectives examined Mr. Wilson's CORE
spOndence for cew. He was not known 10 nave an
enemy in the world. No strangers seen In the city
on Tuesday and the railroad conductors remember no
one getting of the train there. The detectives found
postal card In Mr.. Wilson's announcing visitor
Tuesday night They refuse TO divge its message Jshn
A. Wilson, nephew OF the deceased, who saw tne card
saws IL was from respectable old friend OF Mr.. Will
son living in Glencoe, TO whom suspicion could
not attach. The excitement in tie village over the
tragedy grows with each hour. Last evening meeting
of townsmen offered rewasd OF 81 900 for information
leading to the arrest OF the murderer
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson will be buried Saturday afternoon
at o'clock Ia Chicago the tragedy has created sensa
tion the victims being widely and favoraby known.