The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-10-27
STORY OF A CRIME
Details Of the Murder Of Mrs. Merrill
Told in Letters.
TOO HORRIBLE TO BELIEVE
After Choking Their Victim to
Death, Mrs. Larklns Insisted on
Burning the Remains In
a Brush Pile.

Toledo. Ohio. Oct ss-sir. and Mira
Enos LarISins. who are held In jail foe
the murder Of Mrs Jane Merrill, near
Monroe, Mlch.. have unfolded a tale OF
murder too horrible 10 contemplate or
realize as something which 1t IS de-
clarsd eetually occurred.
Satisfied that Their was much yet to
be learnedabout the case. both Shsrin
Mills and Prosecuting Attorney Lock-
wood have kept a wabchfu! eye over
the young man. and as a reward have
come into possession OF valuable In
formation, although the individual has
maintained strict silence until within
the last few days. From the time OF
Mrs. Larkins' arrival at the jail, Lark
ins has been anxious for an Interview
with her. but until Friday the request
was denied. In the interim he has
been busy writing When the meeting
was allowed, Larkins was admonlshed
not to talk. on meeting hts wife Lark
ins kissed her.at the same time slip
ping a number Of letters into her hand.
Another meeting was allowed the
following day, when more letters were
given to Mrs. Larkins. All these were
secured. The story OF the crime Is
carefully dellneated. and is exactly the
same as that given In Mrs. LarlSins'
confession. except regarding the KILL
ing. Mira. Larklns maintains that
LarlNins chokcl Mrs. Merrill TO death,
she standing by and witnessing the
deed Larkins declares that Mrs. Lark
lns beat the old lady's head with a
stick until she was dead.
The Old lady had been Informed Of
a turkeys nest. and had gone with her
alleged murderers to Its supposed loca-
tion on the evening ot June 20. The
previous afternoon. Larilins. II Is al
legged. had dug a rude grave for the
Intended Victim. From the first Il is
said that Mrs. Larklns had Insisted on
burning the remains. but nnally con-
sentcd to the burial. evidently In fear
that should she refuse her husband
would not assist In the killing. After
the old woman's death, Mrs. LarSins.
Il IL said. insisted on cremation. and
carried her point. A brush-heap was
hastily built. and here the body was
partially consumed. The remaining
evidences were not disturbed until
after the first visit OF the sheriff.
The old lady now being dead. her
household effects were gathered. The
most valuable were taken 10 the houss
OF the alleged murderers. Some Of her
clothing was expressed from thin city
to Mrs. Larkins sister In Cleveland.
Les svaluable articles were burned or
sold 10 Toledo raxmcn.
Then came cunning planning Of tho
mortgage. letters. etc. Even as late
as the time of Enos Larkin.s arrest a
letter written by Mr.. and Mrs. venable
OF this city stated they had seen Mrs.
Merrill.
To add to this horror. Larkins de-
scribed a three-gallon crock. in which
the remaining bones were hidden. This
was duly found. and the larger joints
and pieces of the skull were found. It
was the idea Of the murderers 10 put
this in the ash heap and In bleaching
the bones would be eventually con-
sumed. When told that his letters had
been taken read and filed with other
evidence. LarSin weakened and repeat
ed the entire story. He now wears a
haggard. worn look. and has SEEM
ingly lost his hope Of escaping the Sc
verest penalty OF the Michigan law.
He gives as a cause for his trouble the
bad influence of his wife.