Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-11
A FAMILY MURDERED.
Tho bloody Evidence Against the
SON Who Gave the lnfOrmaIiOn.

Tho bloody Evidence Against the
Son Who Gave the Information.
KANSAS CRY, Mo-, March 9.-The Times
Usage Mission Kansas, special says: One of
the most horrible murders ever known in
this country was perpetrated yesterday
morning near this place. Mr.. lIindell, liv-
ing IS miles northwest of town, was awak-
ened about 8 O'Clock bya scream. He went
to the door and was met by Willie Sells, the
son of neighbor, j. W. Sells. The boy
cried out: "SIr. Mindell, a man is at our
house with ahatchetand has hurt father and
mother. 1 don't know how badly" MIR. Min
dell went with the boy, arousing j. j. Rice,
another neighbor, on the way. Upon reach
ing Sells house most horrible sight met
their eyes. In the bed in the north room lay
Walter, Wilie's eldest brother and bed
fellow, aged 10, his throat cut and the
entire top of his head chopped off exposing
the brain and his left eye hangingfupon HIS
cheek, Passing into the south and main
ROOM where light was burning, they
stumbled over the PROSTATE form of Mr..
Sells, his head crushed and almost severed
from his body. Near by lay Mrs, Sells, a
lady of 43 years, her head mashed and a
fearful cash in her throat. On the bed in
the southeast corner of the room lay Ina,
Willie's sister aged IA, killed in the same
manner as the other three. Lying near
MIR. Sells head was bloody butcher knife
and on chair a Ratchet, matted with hair
and blood. The boy said that he had been
awakened by something and, looking up,
saw low, heavy set man, with dark hair,
cut close, standing in the door. This man
stepped in and reaching over Willie, struck
Walter, who lay on the back of the bed.
Willie jumped out and dressed while the
man was still in the room. The man rushed
out of one door, while Willie rushed
out of the other and started up
the road on run, Willie after
him. 4 short distance off stood a
man on horseback holding another horse,
upon which the man vaulted and both made
or Willie then went on to MindelPs. After
the bodies had been discovered, Rice took
Willie home with him, where he slept
soundly until morning. A coroner's jury
was empaneled and the subsequent inves-
tigation brought forth much FROM the boy.
Suspicion rested upon him, and he was put
on the stand. He swore that he had
not washed his hands since the
murder, but inspection showed that
while his hands and wrists were clean,
there was water-mark above which his
forearms were deeply encrusted with blood
which appeared to have spurted up his
sleeves. Around his finger nails too was
blood. Upon removing his pantaloons his
drawers were seen to be saturated with
spattered blood and his bare feet were
covered with blood. His feet fitted all the
stoutly denied being the murderer and
maintained bold front throughout
The conclusion of the inquest was
postponed until to-day. The boy
was struggled into a buggy by police
| Judge Cambern and Deputy Sheriff Locke
and driven to Jail in Erie, for fear Of lynch
ing, which appeared imminent. On thu
way to Erie he said to Cambern; "rhos,
| fellows tried to get me to say that did It
but thought it would be best not to admi
| it." There is hardly doubt but that thu
boy committed the dreadful crime. 1t i
known that Mr.. Sells had In his pocket-bool
800 in gold and $l70 In bills, which wer
not disturbed, besides three watches. JOIN
Hall of Erie has been appointed guardian
of the boy.