Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-05-29
| uNoLe roM,s CRIME.
Double Murder By Member OF tho Saliva
tlon Army Near sedalin.

tlon Army Near sedalia.
SEDALtA, Mo-, May 2T.--Seldom has
this community and the whole surround
ind country been thrown into such a
state OF excitement as was felt here by
the discovery OF the murdered remains
Of JEFF Moore, farmer aged hfty-nine
years, and later in the day the finding
of tho body OF his son Charles, aged
twenty-nine, also cruelty murdered, in
field near his fathers house.
Both had had their brains knocked
out with an axe In the hands OF Thomas
Williamson, better known as "Bncle
Tom, a member OF the local branch OF
the Salvation Army. The son was MUIR
dered ten days ago and his body buried
in his fathers field, three miles south
OF this city. The father was killed last
Friday and the body buried in the cell
| lar of his residence where he with his
son lived alone.
Nothing was suspected when the son
disappeared, but when old man Moore
failed TO perform his accustomed duties
the neighbors set on foot an investiga-
tion that brought about the terrible
disclosures.
Last evening the murderer confessed
and said that he was hired to commit
the crime for $500, but his story is not
credited. Half dozen officers are work.
ing on the case and the mystery will be
cleared up to-day.
II is now believed that Williamson
killed his wife, who died mysteriously a
year or so ago.
Early in the evening there was talk
OF lynching. but the excitement is melt
ing down and no trouble is now looked
for.
Moore's farm Is about two and half
miles southeast of this city and the dis
covery of the murdered mans body was
made yesterday morning by neighbors.
The remains were found buried in the
cellar Of his house. few hours later,
while making search of the surround
ing country the body Of Charley was
found in clump Of bushes in field
close TO the house.
Tho strangest one OF the days start
ling events occurred in this city yester-
day morning at ten o'clock when Will
hanson attempted su eide in Sicher's
park by taking strychnine. He was
taken to the Salvation Army barracks
and medical aid summoned and he will
probably recover. When questioned
about his attempt TO commit suicide he
said he was tired Of OF living and wanted
to meet his God.
At that timo nothing was known OF
the terrible double murder on Moore's
farm, nor was much known Of William
son, nor, indeed, much attention given
his case beyond the apparent fact that
he was unfortunate and OF unsound
mind.
Three hours afterward, at one o'clock,
while Williamson was still unconscious,
Albestus Paxton. farmer living two
and half miles southeast, reported to
Marshal Prentice that the dead body Of
JEFF Moore had been found buried In the
cellar under his (Moore's) house and that
Thomas Williamson, farm hand, was
suspected OF the murder Paxton was
taken to the Salvation Army room and
recognized the attempted suicide as the
man suspected.
The story that Paxton told was sub
stantially this; About a week ago
August Brenicke, neighbor, sold JEFF
Moore some rails and Moore began to
haul them at once promising TO pay for
them soon. Brenicke went to Moore's
Thursday morning after the money,
when Moore told him he would pay the
next day. Brenicke returned Friday
morning but Moore was not 10 be
found Williamson, when asked about
Moores whereabouts, said he did not
know whore he was. Williamson was
seen hauling dirt to Moore's house sat
urday morning and this aroused the
suspicious OF the neighboring farmers,
and yesterday morning they began
searching for Moore aud his body was
found buried in the cellar
The neighbors continued the search
for Charles, who had been missing
nearly two weeks, Mr.. Paxton started
for town to notify the authorities, and
also TO start search for the man VIII
hanson, suspected Of the murder, and
little dreaming that he would find the
old man lying at the point Of death
himself.
Williamson had been employed by the
Moores more than two months. Almost
every night Of that time he had been
coming 10 town and attending the Sal
vation Army meetings. The captain OF
the army says that he often noticed that
Williamson appeared to be crazy.
Williamson is about sixty years old.
and of his antecedents nothing is known.