The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1890-09-06
TWO FOUL MURDERS
TWO TERRIBLE CRIMES COM
MITTED IN ONE DAY.
AN UNPARALLELED RECORD OF
CRIME FOR LAFAYETTE 90.
4. 4. PARKER,S MURDER QUICK
LY AVENGED.
The Murderers OF A. s.. Higgins
Still at Large.
the stories OF Both MURDERS I'm
Detail.

Detail.
The darkest page in the history of I.afay-
elite county was the one turned last Friday.
ON that day two OF the most airOciOus muir
ders ever committed within her borders oc-
Cured.
The deadly work OF the day was begun lust
before daylight that morning, 10y William
" aters. who bulchered Mr.. Il. F. Parker, q
merchant Of Mayview, In II most horrible
manner, and was himself hung by IA party of
indignant citizens.
Following this terrible crime and only u
few hours before the ayenging, as far ~
human hands could, Of Merchant Parker's
death, C ime the brutal murder of Mr.. A. S.
higgins, one OF Lafayette's oldest and most
respected citizens. by a man named William
Felix's and an a~ccOmplice.
A part OF the story of the first named crime
was related in these columns last week, but
at the time OF our going to press the whole
truth had not been made known to the pub
lic. When about one-half OF our papers had
been printed the news came that Waters. who
killed MIR. Parker, bad been caught and hung,
and in order that all our readers may get all
the facts. VIC commence at the beginning OF
the horrible story.
AT about 300 O'Clock a. M, last Friday,
VIM. Waters, n negro boy, aged II little over
II, according to plans conceived by him the
day before, arose from Il hay NOW on the
farm Of Mr.. Henry G.. Sheir. where he was
working. went down to the stable, stole out
u horse and proceeded TO the village of May.
view, some three miles distant. He hItched
the horse near the depot at that place and pro.
ceeded on foot to the general merchandise
store of Mr.. l.. +. Parker.
Parker was a wIdower, with no children.
and rs had been his custom for many years ,
was sleeping In q room in the rear of the
store when Waters walked up TO the store
door and tried to awake him by rapping on
and shaking The door. Being unsuccessful in
his attempt to arouse Mr.. Parker In this way,
Waters went around to the side Of the house
and tapped upon the window Immediately
over the bed upon which Mr.. Parker was
sleeping. Mr.. Parker arose and demanded who
was there and what was wanted. Waters re-
| piled. giving his name and stating that he
wished TO purchase some clothing. Parker
remarked to him that he had come quite early
to make his purchases aud In order not to
arouse suspicion Waters said that IL was
pretty early but he vented TO get the clothes
to wear TO the Higginsyille fair. Parker then
slipped on his pants and slippers, opened the
back door, and admitted the murderously-in-
clIned negro.
A lamp was lighted aud the negro and his
Victim went into the store room. The frst
article asked for by Waters was cigars and
while Parker was getting them Waters. nc
cording 10 the statement made to his captOrs,
watched for u chance 10 strike him down with
Q corn-knlfe which he had brought along
with him for the purpose Of executing his
murderous plans.
The opport unity 10 strike did not present
Itself while Parker was getting the cigars and
Waters deferred his bloody work until the
merchant began displaying his stock Of cloth
ing.
Shirts we're called for by Waters and "a
selection made. and Parker wrapped them up.
Pants were then called for and after several
pairs had been spread upon the counter the
opportunity for Waters to strike presented
Itself. for Parker had turned TO the shelving
anil Waters was Immediately behind him. He
raised his corn-kniie and struck Parker In the
top OF the head. laying the SCALP open for a
space beginning at the top OF the forchesd
and extending back about four inches, and
penetrating the skull 10 the depth of about
one-twelith Of sn inch. Parker turned and
cried out TO bis murderer for mercy, but the
murderOus work had been commenced and
had TO be ended.
Another blow was struck. This time the
knife caught on q line which had been stretch.
ed across the room for the purpose OF hang
Ing goods for display. and was diverted from
the place the murderer intended to strike but
one OF the most CHASTITY OF the many wounds
was inflicted by this stroke. The knife struck
Mr.. Parker In the left corner of the mouth
and laid his face open back to the ear. This
stroke also cut the Jaw bone entirely In two.
Mr.. Parker then attempted to get away
from his murderer by going toward the front
window OF the store and behind a large
upright show case. but Waters Jumped over
the counter and rushed to his victim. who had
by this time fallen TO the floor. and began
hacking him In the neck. The wounded man
was struggling and grooming and the negro
continued cutting him Up the neck until all
groans were hushed and his victim lay per-
fectly still. These last strokes, added to the
ones made while The VICTIM was standing.
made the sight that met the eyes of those who
saw the body before Its removal from IN,
place where found, one of the most gbastly
ever witnessed. The poor mans head WIS
naarlV sauaFaH frnn, h.. .lo.ll.--
leh hanging thereon by only u few muscles
and very little flesh.
He then began his search for money, One
pocket In the murdered mans pants was
turned inside out. but no money found there
In. The other pocket which was on the aside
next to the floor and In the blood, contained
W 20 In silver. but was not molested. Waters
then took his corn.knife and prled open the
cash drawer, but found no money,
He then heard a noise without, picked up
the bundle Of shirts and a few other things,
blew out the lamp and fed. He went direct.
ly to Mr.. Sheir's farm, ute his breakfast, md.
In company with the latter named gentlemsp
came to q place near this city for two loads Of
corn.
Mr.. Parker's store Is on the main street NJ
MAYHEM. About 100 yards east of the STORE
Is the home OF j. 7. Nav. where Parker ate
his meals. At @ O'Clock Mr.. Nav went TO the
store as was his wont TO call Parker to break |
fast. He found the door locked, and thinking
Parker was still asleep did not try to wake
Half an hour later Nav returned and
still found the store locked. He shook The
door several times, but getting no answer
went to the rear door opening into parker's
bedroom, intending to knock on that and 30 |
arouse him.
This rear door Nav found standing Wide
open and he stepped into the room. He found
this disarranged and Parker's coat aud vest |
hanging from the back OF II chair. TIT door
leading into the store was open and thinking |
Parker was In there Nav stepped to the con.
meeting door 10 aupDunGe that hreakfas, WAS
ready. The shutters In front being tightly |
closed ihe interior Of the store was dark and
Ma" could see nothing. He lighted "a match.
and holding II oyer his head peered into the
room. SillI ne could not see the store keeuer.
and he walked behind the counter i'm The yves,
side OF The store. There under the flickerin,
blaze OF his match iRe fearful sight met hin
gazo
Stretched on the floor, his feet toward ,he |
'front.' lay fnrker's body In Il pool Of blood.
S'0oping over the body and tou. iog II Nav
found II wa" still warm but the wOund sbow.
ell, even to his excited mind that JIfe INNS, lao
extinct.
Nav quickly gave the alarm and f., G,aa.