The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-30
FIENDISH CRIME ON A FARM.
A MURDERER ATTACKS THE FAMI-
LY WITH KNIFE AND CLUB.

The Head of the Household and His
Wife Dead and Two Daughters
and Man Servant Dying-AnOth-
er Daughter Escapes Uninjured.
The Motive for the Crime a Mys-
terry.
cleveland, o., March 29.-At 1 O'Clock
this morning a crime of almost unparal-
leled actrocity was perpetrated near Tai
radge, a village five miles north Of Ak
ron. Alvin Stone, 60 years Of age, and
his wife, 90 years Of age, while asleep
Al their home, were brutally murdered by
dend. who literally beat their heads to
peces. after which numerous knife
-brusts were made into the bodies of the
dead. Two daughters, Hattie, aged %
years of age, and Emma, q years of age,
and the family man servant, A. f. Still
son. were also attacked. All three of
these were fatally injured and lie at
their home awaiting death. They had
been beaten about the head with blunt
instrument, which must have been of
great size and weight.
Alvin Stone was among the most wealthy
and prominent of Summit county farm
ers. and his wife was also a member
of one of the wealthiest and most prom
The object of the murderous assault on
the family was not robbery, as numer-
Gus articles of value, including two gold
watches of the aged people, which were
on the bedroom dresser, We're not taken.
The crime is shrouded in mystery, and the
whole county is agitated.
The only suspicion as yet, rests on John
Smith, who is employed at Edward Par-
ler's blacksmith shop, one-eighth OF mile
from the Stone homestead. Smith was
ai1a~ cd Inv a
The former was a chOresman about the
place. The two men had very angry words
and Smith departed in great anger He is
now under police surveillance.
One member of the family alone es-
NCaped injury-Flora, the youngest daugh-
ter, aged 16. She is labOring under in
tense nervous excitement, but was able
between tears and hysterical sobs to tell
what she knew of the affair The old
folks, she said, occupied chamber on the
lower floor. Hattie and Flora slept up
stairs, Emma across the hall and the hired
man at the rear end of the hallway of the
same hoor About j O'Clock she heard
scream from Emma. She jumped from
bed and opening the door, started to cross
the hall. Hattie followed her. Flora,
turning before she entered Emma's s room,
The door of which was open, saw masked
man strike Hattie over the head with what
looked IKE a crowbar Hattie, with a
groan, fell senseless TO the floor, while
Flora, in terror, ran back to her room and
hid under the bedclothes.
Hattie, who is a woman of remarkable
vitality, despite her frightful injury, arose
ana going into Flora's room, asked her
10 throw something over her head. Flora
was too frightened to move. Hattie left
Her room ana entering that of her sister,
hollced the window was open and that
ladder reached up from the ground.
one wrapped quilt around her and went
down the ladder, running to Charles
Sackett farm, quarter of a mile away,
Wnere she told her story and collapsed.
IWO OF the SackettS hurried to the Stone
house, while another summoned a physi-
clan. When they arrived the house was
pitch dark. The side door was open. En-
terlng the room occupied by the old folks,
they We're confronted by the two horribly
mutilated bodies of the father and motn-
er. Emma was found unconscious on the,
floor of her bed room. She had been
struck a fearful blow over the forehead
and still lies as one dead.
The hired man was found in his room
in the same condition. He had also been
struck over the forehead. Flora was
found under the bed-clothes in a speech
less fright.
In few minutes the whole neighbor-
hood for miles around was aroused ana
hundreds assembled about the Stone
pressiVe. The rage of those who for so
many years, had lived with and loved the
amiable, honest Stone family, knew no
The Akron police department was noti-
NED and Detective Dunn, Marshal Mason,
Sheriff Griffin and Deputy Hart hurried
70 the scene. They arrived at O'clock
1hey found what appeared to be the tracks
OF a man leaving the side door, which was
1OuHQ open, ana ending at the road. Rain.
which had steadily poured all night, had
however, obliterated the tracks along the
road. Bloodhounds were put in service
nut they could do nothing, owing to the
ram. The impression seems to be that
smith is not the right man, and commit
lees are organizing this evening to scour
lne country in every direction. From all
lhe indications of those who are starting
10 hunt down the murderer it is idle to
attempt forecast OF what will happen if
ne Is caught. There is but one fate in
store for him if he falls into the hands
OF the citizens who are looking for him,
aided by the bloodhounds.
Ihis evening a strong clue leads toward
HaVenna, where a strange horse and bug
sy was left by an unknown man. who
acted very suspiciously.
IN Akron, Kent, Cuyahoga Falls, Tall
lhaqge and the surrounding territory, the
excitement over the murders grow every
Hour. Frank Smith, who was held in sur
Nelance, has been released. 1t was as
Certalned that some three years ago Alvin
stone was mainly instrumental in bring
ing 10 justice a horse thief, who had piled
ms nefariouS vocation at Tallmadge The
Ohlet was sentenced to three years in the
Iehltentiary. 1t is said by the neighbors
mat he threatened that when released he
would never rest until his vengeance on
me stone family was satiated. His name
Is anton Strong Descriptions of the sus-
Hect have been sent out broadcast. The
YLleveland department has been notified to
look out for him.