The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-07-25
"LOOk OUT. HE Is OUEERr'
Timely Warning by Father which Did No
Good at All.

New York, July 24-Robert Combs,
chief steward of the steamship France,
of the National Line, which arrived in
New York yesterday morning, is the
father of the two boys who murdered
their mother in London a few weeks
ago, an account of the horrible orgies
following the deed are the talk of Lon
don today.
Combs left happy family two weeks
ago last Thursday.
His elder son, who is accused of com
hitting the deed, saw his father off at
the wharf, when the France started on
her journey.
He was the favorite son, and because
of his unusual brightness was fairly
worshiped by his father.
Two days before the ship started
Combs bid good bye to his wife at their
home in Plaistow, a suburb of London.
Look out for the boy" he said, re-
ferring to the young maricide. Re
members, mother, that he is queer at
times. and you want to keep asharp
watch over him"
Mrs. Combs was less than 80 years old
and beautiful.
The two boys watched the France
until she disappeared in the distance.
Then they went back and killed their
mother and played cards in the room
where the body lay. 1t was found by
the police ten days later.
When the France arrived Pilot Geo.
Waldie called Combs aside, and told
him the whole narrowing tale. Combs
fell in a swoon in the stateroom as he
heard the news. AS soon as he regalned
consciousness ne said:
Il knew the boy was queer, but I
never knew he would do thing like
this. My God,I loved my wife, and TO
think that here / am in distant land,
and before 1 can get back she will be
beyond my sight" The captain and Of
ficers of the France tried TO console
Combs. but he remained in his cabin
until the steamer reached the dock at
Pier SO, North river.
Combs is a slightly built man, with
sandy mustache and decidedly Eng
lish countenance He was much over
come but consented to talk about his
sons.
1 am aware" he said. " that this
crime will startle all London, and that
the peculiar dark skeleton in my fami
ly Will be brought out. My oldest son
was my pride and while he was eX-
ceptionally bright, he was wofully de-
ficient morally"
Combs then delved into the facts of
his sons mental ailment He said that
noted doctors had visited the boy and
pronounced him a human wonder.
The younger son, who is II years old,
according to Combs, had nothing 10 do
with the inception of the crime. but he
was peculiarly subject to the influences
of the older boy, who, according to all
accounts. was the real inStiga tor.
shortly after the boys were born"
he said. "he acted idiotic. AS years
passed he became unusually intelligent
He was a phenomenon in some lines,
and yet there were traits developed in
him which indicated the existence OF
some mental trouble.
Local doctors could not diagnose
his trouble. He was the embodines OF
lovliness. vet there was a morbid sent,-
ment developed at times that frighten-
ed US.
For instance. II he read OF CHASTITY
murder his whole mind seemed 10 be
wrapped up in it. Nothing could d.
vert him from IL. In these spells he
would resent the companionship of his
playmates. He would devour all the
literature obtainable relating 10 the
same. After the spell wore of he would
be child again. as innocent and I'M
sophisticated as any child of his age"
Mrs. Cambs was killed on July by
the eldest son. who plunged adagger
into her breast. The two sons then
held a carouSal over the body playing
cards and otherwise enjoying them
selves for ten days. until the police
discovered the condition of affairs.
Combs has been employed on the Ma
tional Line for twelve years and is
popular with shipping men in New
York