The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-03-11
DREADFUL TRAGEDY.
A WHOLE FAMILY MURDERED
WITH A HATCHET.

Usage MISSION, KANSAS, March 9.-One of the
most horrible murders ever known was perpetrated
yesterday near this place. Mr. Mendell, living
thirteen miles northwest of this town, was awaken
ed about one O'Clock in the morning by scream.
He went to the door and was met by Willie sells,
son of neghbor, j. W. Sells. The boy cried out,
"Mr Mende man Is at our house with hatchet,
and lie has hurt father and mother, don't know
how badly" Mr.. Mendel went with the boy,
arousng j. j. Rice, another neighbor, on the way.
Upon reaching Sells house, most horrible slght
met thpir ewes. IN bed in the south room lay wal
ter Willie, the eldest brother and bedfellow, aged
top itp''''"I "i his his head clipped off, exposing
the brLia, and his left eye hanging
unon 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 the body Near
by lay iMrs. Sells, lady of 43 years, her head
mashed and fearful cash in her throat. On the
bed in the southeast corner of the room lay Ina
Wille's sister, aged H. killed in the same manner
as the other three. Lying near Mrs. Sells head
was bloody butchers knife, and on chalr a
hatCbet, matted with hair and blood. The boy said
he had been awakened by something, and waking
up saw lOw heavy set man, with dark hair cut
close, standing in the door. This man stepped in,
ana reaching over Willie struck Walter, who lay
dressed while the man was still in the room The
man rushed out of one door while Willie ran out o.
the other and started up the road on a run anC
Willie after him, short distance off
horse upon which the man vaulted and both made
of. Willie then went on to Mendel's. After the
bodies had been discovered Rice took Willie homt
! WITH him, where he slept soundly till morning.
A coroners jury was empanneled, and subse
| ouent Investigation brought forth mucl
! from the boy Suspicion rested up
! on him and he was put upon the stand. HI
swore that he had not washed his hands since thu
murder,but inspection showed that while his hands
/ and wrists were clean, there was water mark
/ above which his forearms were deeply encrustet
| with blood, which appears to have spurted up hi
! sleeves. Around his finger nails, too there wa
! blood. Upon removing his pants, his drawer
we're seen to be saturated with blood, and his fee
were covered with the same sanguine fluid Hi
feet fitted all the bloody footmarks. The boy
| stoutly denies being the murderer, and MAINTAINED
| a bold front throughout. -.
! Tue conclusion Of the inquest was postponed un
I til to-day The boy was smuggled into Duggy .,
| the police, Judge Combern and Deputy Sherii
Isce and driven to Jail in Erie for lear OF lyncn
! ing, which appeared imminent. On tne f way
Erie he said to Mr. Cambern: "Ihese IeiloW
tried to get me to say did it, but thoughI,
would be best not to admit it" There Is nardiyy
( 77oNt but that the boy committed ths leIt9,
crime though no motive IS known Mr' sleil 1e I
p,a III his pocketbook 500 IN gold ana sly ~ !
1.IIs. ghich we're not disturbed besides Lte tnte
/ sa6,h John Hall, Of Erie, ha7 been appolhe
= euaisn Of the boy