Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-05-08

Milwaukee, May IA double and
what may yet prove triple murder oc-
Cured at the farm house of Alexander
Harris, who resided about five miles
south of Waukesha, at an early hour
this, morning, the victims being Mrs
Harris, his wife; hired girl, and hired
man. The crime was committed it was
supposed, by farm hand named Will
lam Pouch. who had been sheltered by
the farmer over night.
The dead and wounded are:
ALEXANDER HARRIS, aged about
40 years, killed outright.
MRS. HARRIS. aged A years, killed
HIRED GIRL. fatally wounded.
HIRED MAN, probably fatally
wounded.
Early last evening William Pouch, a
farm hand who had worked for Mrs.
Harris about two years ago called at the
house and requested lodging over
night. He was taken in, given supper
and assigned a room. About O'Clock
Mr. Harris and the hired man GEose and
went to the yard to milk the cows. Mrs.
Harris and the hired girl remaining 10
prepare breakfast for the family. Pouch
left his room quietly and going TO the
yard where the men were milking the
cows bade them good morning. Harris
and the hired man was sitting on stools
near each other, and before they were
aware of any evil doing Pouch drew a
revolver and fired at the farmer, kill
ing him almost instantly. The murder
er then turned the weapon on the hired
man and shot him in the body. infict-
ing a probable fatal wound. The man
fell motiOnless on the ground and
Pouch evidently supposed him dead
also
The terrible sight did not unnerve
the demon. for he left his victims where
thev fell and walked leisurely to the
kitchen Of the house. There he met
Mrs. Harris and the hired girl and chat
ted pleasantly with them for few
minutes He and Mr.. Harris would not
be in for a few minutes, and that he
would partake of his breakfast at once.
The woman waited upon the murderer,
who seemed to relish the meal.
After concluding his breakfast Pouch
arose from the table and started to walk
toward the door. but suddenly reeled
around. and before the women realized
what was about to happen. he shot Mrs.
Harris in the breast and then fired ut
the hired girl. The farmers wife fell 10
the floor and expired with fatal wound
soon afterwards. The hired girl has a
chance TO recover.
After finishing his bloody work the
murderer mounted a bicycle and rode
away. He started in a southwesterly di-
rection over the road, and the supposition
is that he is headed for Burlington. \
posse of farmers are in hot pursuit and
the chances are he will be captured be-
fore night. They openly VOW that they
will lynch the murderer
The supposition of the authorities is that
the man is either insane or that ne COM
mitted the terrible deed in order to hide
another crime. The manner in which the
murders were committed show plainly
that he had been deliberate in arranging
his plans and had carried them out TO the
letter
Mr.. Harris was one Of the best known
farmers in the county and was quite well
to do. Pouch had worked for him some
time during the summer Of 1895, and noth-
ING occurred. so far as known, TO cause
any eumitv between them. He is describ-
ed as about five feet in height, twenty
wears of age. wears "a mustache and has
blue eyes. The name Of the hired man IS
Nelson McHolt. Ho is twenty-five years
of age. The girl is Helen Nesbach, aged 20
IT transpires that after shooting his vic
Tins. Pouch went up stairs and robbed
the house.