The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-11-17

| the struggles OF ner huspdno, eoo"oO
TO have struggled for some moments io'
her life. She lay crosswise OF the bed. A
ldeep wound upon her breast, her clinched
hands, and the tossed and wildly disar
: ranged bed clothing, gave evidence OF
battle for life. The murderer had Their
} tarried 10 vent his spite upon the lifeles'
remains of his victims, by beating thei'
heads Into unnrecognlzabls masses OF blood
and brains and flesh
Almos. crazed with grief and terror, the
son ran wildly to the nearest habitatlon
and gave the alarm. II spread from tongue
TO tongue, and the house and grounds were
soon filed with excited men, demanding
the murderer that he might be lynched
upon the spot The girl told about how
her stepfsther had stormed about the
house on the Saturday previous, and threat
ened the life of the banker and his wife,
and unhesitatinvly declared him to be the
murder. Footprints in the rain-softened
earth beneath the window led out over
the lawn to the highway. Leaving guard
over the dead, the farmers galloped madly
TO the village, and the news spreading
quickly, business was Immediately sus-
pended, and dilligent search WAS institu-
ted for the murderer, who, until the an
nouncement of the murder, had been walk
Ing the street smoking his pipe az though
he had not harmed dove When It became
apparent to him that escape WAS out OF the
question, hurried to his rooms over Cables
meat market. At about nine o'clock, being
assured that he was In his rooms, the infu'
ris.ed citizens, with Marshall Wingate at
their head, rushed 70 the house and was
met by Burkhart's wife who said he was
killing himself They rushed up stairs
and found his body lying upon IT. back
with the throat cut from ear to ear, and
severed to the spinal column. He lay In
bath of blood, with q razor grasped tightly
In his right hand, . deep cash upon his
right cheek and number OF old blood
stains upon his clothing, which coupled
with his suicide confirmed the suspicion
OF hisg uilt and though Circumstantial
we're substantial witnesses.
Peter Howe, the murdered banker, was
born In Connecticut, and had just celebra-
ted his seventy sixth birth day Mrs.
Howe was also native of the east, and
was we'll advanced ip the sixties Two
Sons, who had latterly shouldered the
weightier cares of business, were partners
Ia the bank with their father. Banker
Howe, respected and loved by his towns
men, and identified with all that has been
Of lasting benefit to Wsnona, with his wife,
srs sincerely incurred.
Coroner Clendennin, accompanied by
Sheriff Morrissey and two deputies, re.
paired at once to the scene of the murder, Q
md an inquest was held 10 the sitting room
# the Howe residence. The evidence
,iven by the Richardson girl and Mrs.
3urkhart was very mesger, Mrs. Burkhart
Eating that her husband WAS at home all
evening and had not left the house, while
he Girl swore that she heard nothing of
nor any noise whatever. The jury
eadered verdict fastening the blame on
10 one. The inquest was very unsatisfac
DRY to the coroner, who thought that the
of the girl and her mother was
and he re'assembled the jury
I'D held another inquest He then sue
eeded In forcing the mother an daughter
0 confess the entire truth, which makes
he entire matter as plain as daylight. The
,irl said that she was awakened by Burk>
art who came TO her bedside with bloody
lands and told her that he had murdered
he old folks, and that 1t was all on her
ccount, and then outraged her person.
Mrs Berkhart testified that her husband
SINE home at about eleven o'clock and
aid that he had murdered Banker Howe
md his wife, aud asked for a weapon t. q
lestroy himself with He then suggested r
hat they die together, and next morning, |
.fter finding that he was suspected, he 9
committed suicide. I
Burkbart, worthless drunkard, has
,hes.ed the gailo&s, fate which no most
.ichly deserved. He Is first Identified as
residing In Streator, later, he served term
Of confinement for robbery at Minonk, and
had resided but short time In Wenona.
His reputation was that of one who was
utterly debased
Banker Howe and his wife were buried
on Tuesday. Their funeral WAS the largest
held In Marshall county for many years.