The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-04-18
THE WAGES OF SIN.

Shocking Tragedy In Holt County, Mis-
souri, the Outgrowth of "A Breach OF the
Seventh COMMUNICATIVE Lives,
and Perhaps Four, Saorihced-.An Excited
Community.
FOREST CRY, Mo-, April l5.-Pa rticu-
lars of one of the most fendish crimes
in the history of the State were re.
ceived here to-day, the scene of the trag-
edy being Holt County, four miles
Northeast Of Nodaway Station and one
half mile west of the Andrew County
line.
On farm at the point named lived
Mrs. Josephine Hardin, a widow, forty
two years old, and her three children, the
eldest being Mrs. Ella Harmon, the Sec
ond Miss Anna, sixteen, and Johnnie,
fourteen. Two months ago Anna
gave birth to an illegltimate child,
and on being questioned she
stated that she had been
seduced by William Clark, farmer,
aged thirty, who lived in the neighbour
hood, aud had wife and three children.
Soon after the birth of the child the Har-
dins demanded reparatlon of Clark, but
he was obdurate, and not until Mrs. Har-
| din threatened to prosecute him for Sc
| duction did he show any signs of relent-
| ing.
Yesterday the party visited Oregon, the
county seat of Holt County, for the pur-
pose of effecting settlement. They
sought a lawyers office and long
wrangle ensued. Clark was willing to
allow $500 to pay for his wrong, and the
Hardins wanted $500. TO this demand
Clark would not accede and at night the
parties returned home, and Clark agreed
to call at Mrs. Hardin's at a later hour
and talk matters over again, and see If a
conclusion could not be reached. He
put in an appearance at eight O'Clock and
at once opened negotiations by Offering
TO pay $500 and thus settle matters.
| TRIPLE SHOOTING.
This offer was again refused, and the
daughter became incensed and accused
Clark of effecting her ruin. For short
time he bore her reproofs in silence, but
at length became angry, and producing a
|
at Mrs. Hardin's head and fred The
ball took effect over the right eye, pro-
duclng instant death. The man was now
demon. Turning toward the daugh
ter, Anna, whom he had ruined, he placed
the muzzle of the weapon an inch
back of her right ear and dis
charged it, after which hi
fired third shot at the son, Johnny, the
ball striking him In the left cheek, auC
lodging in the muscles of the neck. The
married daughter, Mrs. Harmon, wa;
also In the house, but her presence was
unknown to Clark and she escaped in
jury. Immediately after the shooting
Clark fed.
Yesterday the little town of Nodaway
Station was scene of the widest excite
ment. The Coroner and Sheriff had beef
notified at Oregon, and neighbors wer
searching the woods for Clark
A HORRIBLE SIGHT.
In the little cottage the scene was hor
ribly impressive, Mrs. Hardin lay out
stretched on bed, cold in death. In an
other room lay the daughter, entirely un
conscious, the brains still oozing out o
the bullet-bole in her head. Close besid
her lay her little brother, moaning pite
ously, his cheeks torn horribly and bleed
ing almost constantly.
The small room in which the TRACED
occurred presenteda horrible appearance
Everything was In disorder; the wall
and floor were smeared and spattere'
with blood and brains. .t n
KILLS HIMSELF, t-.
The search for Clark was prosecute
all,nlght and threats of lynching whe
captured were freely INDUCED In. 1t wa
well known that he was armed, and wit
all the desire to catch the monster an
mete out justice, great caution was oh
served. No trace was found until tel
| O'Clock yesterday morning, when his life
less body was discovered by the side o
straw-stack in an open neld, 250 yard
from his residence. He had committee
suicide by shooting himself through th
head, and 1t is presumed the fatal sho
was fired two hours after enacting tn
tragedy at Mrs. Hardin's residence.
Acting Coroner Goslin, of Oregon, he'll
the inquest, and verdicts were, In accord
auce with the above facts, rendered i
each instance.
THR VICTIMS.
Clark was recognized as man of YER
bad reputation, but was well fixed finar
cially. Information received from Noda
way Station is to the effect that MIS-
Anna will die, but 1t is thought the boy
Johnny, will recover.
. -
, MRS. DODSON IMMERSED.