Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1886-03-20

Four Persons Murdered at Usage Mission
Kansas.
kansas CITY, No, March 8.-The Times
Usage Mission, Kan, special SAYS that one
OF the most horrible murders ever known il
this county was perpetrated this morning
teen miles northwest, was awakened about
i clock by scream.
He went to the door, and was met by vii
lie Sells, son of a ueighbOr, j. W. Sells. The
boy cried out: ''AIr. Medel. man is at or
house with a Ratchet and has hurt father
and mother. 1 don't know how badly
Ar. AendeL went with the boy, arOusing
j. d. lElshy an other usighbOr. on the ygav.
Upon reaching Sells house, a terrible sight
met their eyes. In bed in the north room
lay Walter NlllIe's elder brother and bed
fellow aged IS years, his throat cut, and the
entire top of his head was chopped of, ex-
posing the brain, and his left eve HANGING
upon 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 IS
years her head was mashed, and q fearful
cash cut IN her throat.
On the bed in the southeast corner of this
room lay Wllhe's sister, aged II. killed In
the same manner as her mother Living
near 4lr. Sells head was a bloody butcher
KNIFE and on a chair hatchet matted with
halr and blood The boy said he had been
l-iH t---+--I-- ny Hl---E LDlaEs ana LDDkLuI
saw low heavy set man, with dark hair,
standing in the door. This man stspped up,
and reaching over Willie struck Matte who
lay at the back OF the bed. Willie jumped out
and dressed while the man was still ia the
room. The man rushed out of one door.
while Willie ran out the other. and started
up the road on run.
a short distance of was a man on horse
back holding another horse upon which a
man Vaulted, and both made OF Willie
then went 10 MeudePs. After the bodies
nad been discovered Irish took Willie home
with hiIn, where he slept sOundly till morn
ing cOrOner.s jury was impaueled. and
subsequent Investigation BROUGHT forth
much rom the boy. he sWOrs he had not
washed his hands since the murder. but an
inspection showed that while his hands were
Clean there were water marks upon them.
"nlle mas 4otearIns We're deeply eucrusted
with blood. Around the fiuger-uafIF too
was blood Upon removing lis pants. hi9
drawers We're seen to be saturated with spat-
sered blood and his bare feet were covered
WITH the same sangulns fluid. His feet tit
ted all the bloody foot marks to be found.
The boy stouuy denied being the murderer.
and maintained bold front thr0u0bouf
The conclusion of the INQUEST was D0sfn0ned
until tomorrow. The boy was smupgled
into buggy by Police Judge Lon CAM bern
and Deputy Sheriff Locke. and driven f0
the jan IN Er1e for fear Of Iyuching. which
appeared imminent.
On the way to Erie he said to AIr. Cam
bern: ~ hose fellows tried to get me to say
that 1 did it, butt thought it would be best
not to admit it'''
There is hardly any doubt but that the
boy committed the dreadful crime, although
no motive is known. Mr.. Sells had in his
pocket 500 in gold and $40 in bills which
were not disturbed, besides three witches.
John Ian, OF 1-rle, has been appointed guar
dian of the boy.