Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-03-24
DEAD In THEIR SIN.
Two Transgressors Caught by
the Grim Terror.
A TRAGIC AFFAIR AT DIES MONIES,

Love Without License the Sequel of an
Early Affection, and Death Lifts the
Curtain-The Identity Of the McKees-
port, Pa, Robber and Murderer I'm
known-Another Fitzsimmons Heard
from-Desperate Work of a Pickpocket
at Cincinnati.
DEs Moines, Ia, March "a Reuben H.
Hatton, cashier of the Central Loan and
Trust association and brother of Thomas
Hatton. the well-known real estate dealer
of this city, was found dead in his apart
ments at room %, Oroile block, at s
O'Clock yesterday morning He was clad
In his night shirt, and was partially I'M
der the covers, while nearly across the
bed, with her head resting across his
bosom, was the dead body of an unknown
woman. She was partly disrobed Her
shoes, corset and dress had been removed,
and her outer apparel was loose wrap
per; her corset and night dress hung
across the foot of the bed, while her cloak
and hat and gown of black silk hung in
the wardrobe with Mr. Hatton's wear
ing apparel.
The Dead Woman Identified.
Upon the floor was small travelling
bag containing perfume bottle and sew
eral toilet articles, portemonnaie con-
tanning railroad ticket from Des Moines
to st. Joe, small amount of money, and
teil-taie paper in the form OF a receipt
for money paid, which showed that the
dead woman was Mrs. 4. J. Russell. of
st. Joe After this was learned il did no,
take long TO learn that she was the
mother of the ticket agent of the Chicago.
st. Paul and Kansas City road at that
point, and the mystery OF the dead
stranger was cleared up She was n
woman probably 40 years of age, not
handsome, but of voluptuous form and
we'll preserved.
Whisky and Escaping Gas
1t was clear that death had come from
asphyxiation. The bathroom, adjoining
the sleeping room, was heated by gas
Jet, and the ombustion being imperfect
the unconsumed gas escaped into the
room. This burner was still ignited
when the dead people were discovered and
the interior OF the apartments was drip.
ping with steam which had risen from
the boiling water in the bath. Mr. Hat
ton had not been seen since Saturday, so
there Is no question but that death oc-
CURED some time Saturday night. Upon
the dresser in the room were three bottles
of liquor, two of which were partly empty.
They were both probably partly intoxi-
Gated and did not notice the gas escaping
The Romance of the Affair.
There is "A romantic phase to this tragic
event. Mr.. Hatton was a bachelor.
Twenty years ago he courted and won the
heart of the woman found dead by his side
yesterday. Something occurred tc break
the engagement and she became Mr. Rus
sell, but her heart was still Hatton's and
for number of years they have met clan
destinely. She has been in the habit of
coming to Des Moines several times a wear
and staying over Sunday with him. This
was finally discovered by the husband and
recently he got a divorce on account of
her relations with Hatton. Mr. Hatton
was highly esteemed here in Des Moines.
Seems to Have Been His Only Fault.
He was one Of the most unselfish and
large hearted of men, giving generously
of his means to the poor. He was loved
and trusted by his business associates.
and their sorrow at his death is only less
intense than that of his Kindred Rela.
tives took charge of Mr. Hatton's body.
and the remains of the woman We're taken
to an undertaking establishment The
startling discovery created much excite
ment. Large crowds surrounded the I'm
dertaker's place all day anxious to obtain
a look at the dead woman. Her son ar.
rived from st. Joseph last night and took
charge of the remains.