Evening journal., 1897-12-15
NEGRO'S BRUTAL CRIME
George D. Farra Murdered
BY Charles Thorn.
MONEY WAS THE INCENTIVE
THE MURDERER BEAT HIS VIC
TINS BRAINS OUT WITH AN
IRON BRICK AND SET FIRE TO
THE CORPSE AND HOUSE TO
HIDE HIS CRIME.

iillD lilo NlNlAib.
For the small sum OF 1928, which
had been paid him by a neighbor,
George ID. Farra, living in the first yel
low house on the New Castle Cause
way from Wilmington, was murdered
in cold blood last night at his home
by Charles Thorn, n colored farmland.
BEFORE THE CRIME.
Yesterday afternoon. when the days
work was done. Mr.. Farra entered his
home and asked his daughter, Mabel.
aged 10 years, If anything was wanted
for the house. He was told that milk
was needed for the supper and this
was gotten. Previous to the supper
Mr. Murphy. who tenants the farm adj
joining that of the Farra, went to The
home Of the lrarras and paid bill of
81 for corn and hay. Thorn WAS in the
house at the time and saw Murphy pay
Mr. Farra the money.
Supper over, the children, Willard
and Mabel, gathered around the cosy
| fierside with their schOOl-bOoks and
studied the lessons for the day. In one
corner of the room sat Thorn, his face
hidden deep in book. On a lounge lay
Mr.. Farra. About $40 o'clock the chill
dren went to bed. Sleep soon came to
them, and all was quiet within the
home.
THE CRIME.
Fast in slumber on the couch lay the
| PROSTATE form of Farra. The negro
sat with the horrible thoughts of plan
ming to murder his employer.
Whether any conversation went on
|
ed is not known, but 1t Is evident that
Farra was taken off his guard, as he
was powerful man and capable of re-
sisting the negro. On the mantle lay
an iron brick with the figures 1858"
engraved thereon. With this weapon
Thorn murdered Farra. There were
| evidences Of a terrible struggle, as the
room was turned tOpsy-turvey, and
blood was scattered everywhere After
| Thorn had beaten his victim into in
sensibility he beat the top Of his head
in until the mans entire brain oOzed
from the skull. One of his ears was
nearly beaten Off, and the entire side OF
the head was one mass OF battered
flesh and blood
After killing his victim Thorn drag.
ged the body to the centre Of the floor
4
stove. built fire around the body. Ii
one corner of the room he built anothe
fire to burn down the house and hid,
his crime. Thorn then stripped tn,
, body. taking Farra's coat. vest trou
s-Ts, shirt and the pocket book con
tanning the money which he saw pai
7 to Farra in the evening He then de
parted.
AFTER THE CRIME.
Mr. Farra's little daughter, Mabel
was the first to awaken this morning
which was about 7.30 o'clock, and, com
ing down TO the kitchen, she stumble
over the body of her father lying ol
the floor with the coat of Thor
p thrown over his head. Getting he
, shoes. which were under the loung,
she sat down and put them on Goinl
to where her father was, she lifted In
D, coat to see if he we're still asleep. an,
saw his hands covered with blood
lRaising the coat from the body the bat
| tered head OF her father met her eyes
4 The little girl swOoned and fell on tn
p body.
Shortly after John C. Campbell. tn
n watchman for the w. & N. railroa
Z bridge, entered the house and. seein
n the child bending over the body, lifte
n her, and. seeing that a crime had bee
/ committed, alarmed the household
Campbell went in search of Thorn bt
he had escaped. When Willard IA
murdered mans son, saw the body IN
a scene was narrowing Brother and sil
Z ter clung to the body and would nc
i leave IL until Willard was persuaded I
go to Wilmington and inform the pG
i lice This was done, and soon the er
10 tire force had been instructed to b. @
J. the lookout for Thorn.
, SEARCHING FOR THORN.
y When the murder became knownth
house was surrounded by a large crow
until Officers Maloney, Moran, ReiI
holz and Special Officer Kane arrives
who made investigation Of the case an
premises. Deputy Coroner Chandl,
q, arrived on the scene and took charl
Il of the body, bringing it to Wilmingto
: to his private morgue.
n Every clue attending the murder W;
- run down, but nothing leading to II
:. apprehension Of the murderer was di
- covered, so completely had he hidde
all traces Of his whereabouts.
r. THORN THE MURDERER.
Charles Thorn, the murderer, hs
been In the employ of Mr. Far
about a year ago, but left, saying tn
A as he was a Methodist minister
& would have to leave farming and go
", | Maryland and follow his calling. /
c. quit Mr.. Farras home, and nOthiI
r was heard Of him until two weeks az
tie when he came to the house in a poor
an clad condition and asked Mr. Farra +
as work. Mr.. Farra seemed pleased tn
r. Thorn had returned as he was a go,
workman. He was very devout, al
when not working he was reading q
r. Bible or ether Scriptural books He
about 2S years of age. brown in cole
and heavily built. He has straight ha
and a small mustache. He is quite
~ good talker.
lis THE MURDERED MAN.
a GeorgesD. Farra, the murdered ma
was between 90 and 60 years Of age
4" was OF powerful build, and had been
farmer nearly all his life. He was ms
ried twice. but had no children by I
se second wife who lives at times. at \