The morning times., 1896-04-25
HUSBAND A SUSPECT
Continued from First Page.

woman's brains. Above this were two
other wounds about the same length.
Partly over her head was lying the
pillow mentioned.
had three children. The eldest slept with
the mother while the youngest occupied
cot in a little room in the rear OF the hail.
1t was in this room that Cooking says he
was asleep when he heard the noises which
aroused him.
An examination of the bed showed little
evidence OF having been occupied The
older children were not home last night,
having gone 10 visit Mrs. DIR. J. Fl. Miller,
their grandmother, who is the mother OF
Miss Miller. one OF the murdered women.
EVIDENCES OF ROBBERY.
The only evidence of robbery was the
slight disorder in the rooms or the dead
women A bureau drawer containing less
than So had been opened aTd the money
taken. A little banR containing $40 IN
the bureau dra wer in Mrs. Cockfug's room
had not been disturbed.
The first efforts OF Nick Jones were dl-
rected TO getting Co ckiug from the cellar.
After untying the rope he assisted him up
the steps to the store, where he placed
the injured mans head on rolled up
blanket Cooking appeared faint and fee
bic and turning to the old negro said:
Go upstairs, Nick. and see IL there is
anything wrong up there
The old man replied
.'Deed Mister Cooking, Use don't want
to go inter de ladies' 'partme tts."
''Go on, Nick" persisted Cooking. See
II anything is the matter" and burying his
face in his hands Cooking groaned aloud.
Nick went upstairs aud was brought face
to face with the bloody work OF the muir
storekeeper was found in his mothers rCon-
! Nick returned to the store below.
what did you see?" said Cooking
| family.
| don't" responded the Old man.
At this Cooking hegan TO cry.
FOUND THE HATCHET.
Jones moved toward the door, and in
| doing so sped on the counter a bloody
| hatchet with which il is believed the muir
| der was committed. 4 further examina-
| ton of Cooking showed blood stains ON
| his shirt and shirt sleeves. He had several
| scratches on his left wrist end arm and
| said the blood came from these wounds
He said he made the cuts by cutting from
| his wrists the rope which bound them A
| search for this rope was made IN the eel
| lar, but it could not be found Cooking 5
/ shirt front was beSpattered with blood and
| one big blOtch with stains around il looked
/ like the squirt from severed artery.
! His story is regarded with considerable
! doubt and the talk OF the people IN the
! county reflects much suspicion on Cooking
| himself.
The greatest excitement prevails. Groups
| of men stood around the house today and
| threats OF lynchiDg somebody were freely
| made. Those well acquainted with The
| family say that they lived apparently 10
/ the greatest happiness and harmony.
/ Cocking's business was not IN the hest
| of shape and il is known that he had been
| going Fehind in his financial affairs fOl
| some time
MOTIVE is LACKING
The motive for the crime is lacking.
| Jones hurried from the store soon after
| his discovery and noiified several neigh
| bors, among them Justice or the Peace
| William F. Hinute, who immediately I'M
| panelIed Il Jury OF inquest States Attorney
| poscv directed the investigation The
! members of the jury are John w Matungly
foreman. L. B. Owens. William DOws, JOHI
s Green, ]. W. Golden, j. P. Gibbons
| Robert Ferguson, Thomas Franklin, John
r. Leland, Robert Price, j. B. Wenk and
| Lemuel j. p adgett-
post morttm examination was made
| by Drs. John T. Diggs and Benjamin
| alton behind closed doors and brought
in u verdict regarding the death OF Miss
| Miller, that she died from a hatche1
| wound in the head. inflicted at the hands
| of persons unknown. They adjourned
to- meet tomorrow. when they will holC
an inquest over Mrs. Cooking.
Sheriff Wade arrived before the con
clusion of the inquest and tonight thC
premises, with Cooking inside, are unde
the surveillance OF George Cross, wh(
was deputiZed for the purpose Cros
| is assisted by dozens OF volunteers VIII
will watch the premises all night Cock
| ing is himself watched closely
| The murdered sisters are the daughter
of the late DIR. Miller, aud were Yer!
| popular in the village OF Hill Top. Cock
| ing was farmer until three years ago
when he moved to Hill Top and opene,
the store where the tragedy took place.
H. l. F. A