Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-08-14
DOUBLE MURDER.
North Adams Shylock and His
Sister Killed.
Motive Probably Robbery-A MGR.
ciless Creditor

NORTH ADAMS. Mass, August 13-The
nutiluted bodies of Henry j. Reed. q money
lender, widely known throughout this re-
gion, and his sister. Blanche NJ. Raed, have
Just been found ut their home, or Webster
avenue. in the centre of the city. Both
had been murdered and the house ram
sacked from top TO bottom. 1t is thought
that robbery was the motive OF the tragedy.
From careful examination OF the boz lies it
Is believed that Reed died from blows
on the head, inflicted by wooden maiet
which was found. The woman had been
shot. Reed was about 4j years old, and his
sister, who was his housckeeper. was 6s
years old. Reed was money lender and
pawnbroker Many Of the small farmers
were''under the lions paw. and rs Reed was
a creditor entirely without a human feeling
of mercy, II was III first supposed that the
deed was done by some one in his power
who was goaded to desperation. The COM
munity Is intensely excited that such a deed
could be done, bu, no great grief is expressed
tives hereabouts. Horace Lnnfair, farmer
and carpenter living on lonely lane leading
from Houghton street, was the man against
whom the police entertained at first the
strongest suspicious. He was closely qucs
toned and constantly watched, but was not
arrested. Lanfair was an intimate friend OF
Reed, and they had business dealings to-
how much is not known. Both were to-
gether riding for long time last Friday
afternoon. Lanfair frequently slept at
Reeds house, and was familiar with the
promises. Clothing supposed to be spotted
with blood was found in Lanfair's lonely
house by the officers and were sent to Har-
ward college for examination. Later devcl-
opments are the outcome OF startling story
told by Amos Davis, a farmer OF Florida
mountain. Mr.. Davis story places $1,000 in
Mr.. Reeds possession on Friday, for he says
that he gave Reed the money. Up to this
time it had not been supposed that Reed
had any money in addition to the SO found
in his pockets, but upon Mr.. Davis state
ment an intruder into the house had a
chance to make good haul. Amos Davis
is veteran and lives on Florida mountain.
about eight miles from here lie says that he
had decided to purchase farm with some
pension money he hal received and knew
Mr.. Reed. Accordingly he saw Reed and
asked him to find good place for him at a
reasonable figure. Mr.. Reed negotiated
with Thomas OConnell for his place In
on Friday agreed to take 1t at
1880, and to paya large part ofthe purchase
price In cash. He told Mr.. Davis of the
place and the Florida mountain man was
satisfied and agreed to take it Off Reed.
hands. The O'Connes were selling be.
cause they were growing old and did not
care to work the farm any longer. Now
Amos Davis says: II saw Henry Reed on Fri
day and paid $1,000 for him to give the
OConnells rs part payment for the
farm. have no record of the payment for
expected of course that the transaction
would he closed on Saturday. know that
my money has not been found in the house
and there is nothing to show where it has
gone to. 1t Is II great loss to me- Reed
came from Rn"inc, Wis. where he was for
lone time assist mt superintendent of a sun.
lay school and actively engaged in mission
work.