The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-11
MURDERED BY THEIR GUIDE.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, September 4-Infor-
nation has been received here of the murder
near Rock Springs, Wyo., of S. Morris VAIN,
OF this city, and Charles Livingstone Strong, of
New York. Both were wealthy young men and
fast friends, and it had been their nabit for
several years to go out during the summer
months to the far west on hunting trips.
The bodies, it is said, were found by party
of hunters on the plains within ten miles of
ROCK Springs about five days ago.
None OF the circumstances connected with
the death OF the two young men are known,
beyond the fact that they are supposed to have
been murdered by their guide Tho bodies,
were stripped of money and valuables of every
kind. and the impression prevails that they
were murdered while asleep. The first intima-
ton OF the fate of the young men was received
here yesterday in an official communication to
Mr.. Waln's mother from. the District Attor-
ney OF Sweetwater county, Wyo., briefly re-
latipg the circumstances of the finding of the
two bodies. Jacob VAIN, q brother of the
murdered man, has left here for Rock Springs
to identify the remains.
A letter was received to-day by the relatives
OF s. Morris VAIN. from ranchman. The
name OF the writer is withheld, The letter saysg
ION the 18th of July a party of three men
crossed the North Platte river at my place.
In conversation with one of them l was told
that they were bound for Big Horn basin, near
the' Montana line. About seven days after
wards they returned to my place, crossed tho
river, went on east about ten miles from my
IstICH anu Callpeu at place called Inc
Painted Rocks on the night of the 9th of
July. One of the men killed the other two.
lie spilled one mans brains out with an axe,
and tho other was shot in the head having the
whole top of his head blown off.
1.-THE murder cached (hid) the bodies In tho
sage-brush, took the wagon mules and the two
riding horses and left the country On the
18th OF, August one of bodies was discoved, and
on the Goth the other Both bodies were near
~ naked. having on only Undertaking. Tho
murderer left no trace whatever by which he
could be identified
In another camp, about fifteen miles from
where the murder occurred / found a letter all
torn to pieces, and put it together and tried
to get trace or clue. The letter, as near as
could make out. was dated June % and the
envelope was addressed to.S. Morris VAIN, Jr.,
Rock Creek, w. L. Itappears, as near s
can make out, that the men travelled hom
Texas through Colorado and Wyoming Ter
ritory to the scene of the murder.
1.-THE county has offered $500 reward for the
murderer"
Mr.. VAIN was q member of the bar at this
city, but devoted much of his time to travel
and adventure, the wild portions of the wes-
tern country having peculiar attraction for
him. lie was u member ofthe Rose Tree Fox
Hunting club, the City Troop and the Ger
mantown Cricket club.
MIR. Waln's relatives say his companion was
Harry Strong, not Chales Livingstone Strong
Ills parents are said to be wealthy and live up
the Hudson river. The two had been Oh hunt
ing expeditions on the plains before.