The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-04-15
MIlHNERED BY 4 MANIAC.
A Farmer and Family Pcrisi, In Their
Dwelling. s.l

PaScOag, Il. l., y pril 14.-NeWS reach
ed here to-day Of a tragedy at Oakland.
from Pascoag. About 5 O'Clock this
morning the house occupied by Edward
Reynolds and family, was burned. and
Reynolds, his wife and adopted daugh-
ter. were killed.
1t was several hours after the fire
was discovered before those who were
al the scene could begin their search.
At daylight body was seen lying near
the centre Of the ruins, and as soon as
possible this was gemoved. Although
it was burned so badly that It was be-
yond recognition, the appearance indi-
Gated that 1t was that Of Sylvia Rey-
| no!ds, the 20-year-old daughter Of tho
| family y short time later Reynolds
BODY was also recovered. the Identified
tion being a general one, as the body
had been frightfully burned
When the neighbors who had been
arousey by the fire went to the Rey-
| nolds house this morning they found
that the flames were confined to one
part Of the building. The place was Sc
curely fastened. the doors being bolted
and locked, every window closed tight
~ so that they were compelled to burs:
open the door to gain admittance. The
house had been saturated with kerosene
and the flames spread rapidly The
rescuers attempted to reach that part
OF the house where the Reynolds fam
ny slept, but were driven back, and
only had time to take Mrs. Reynolds
body on; before that section OF the house
was in blaze. Her head had been
crushed in, and the upper part Of the
body was horribly mutilated.
Martin Mowry, who worked for Rey-
noldS, slept In another part of The house
and the villagers hurried to his room
to alarm him. The room was empty.
and from the hasty examination that
cou!u De made 1t was evident that the
bed had not been disturbed. The bed
othlng, as well a.. the floor aiding
the same liquid, supposed to be kero-
sene. Mowry's trunk and box belong
ing TO him were open, and his clothing
was strewn about the floor.
Mowry was found in Lennder Buff
um's barn, some distance from the
ing like a maniac. Buffum seized the
man and gave him UP to one Of the
posse searching for him Mow!y l. a
bachelor, about 65 years Of age.
From The position of the bodies. i, Is
believed that Reynolds was called 10
sound, and that when he re cached the
SIDE Of her bed he received his death
dow. at tha. time Miss Reynolds was
probably killed.
The murderer, il Is supposed, then
went TO Mrs. Reynolds room and after
-7>'tb'AttS hSi sNtSc III the lace. DattprSu
her head In with some blunt weapon.
When Mowry left the house he went
10 the woods, where he shot himself in
the head. The bullet only stunned him.
however and he did not repeat the \ l.
tempt. he then went 10 Buffum's farm
Mowry was willing to talk after his
arrest, but from his appearance and
manner Of expression il seemed clear
that he was insane.
Reynolds and his wife were each
about so years OF age. Sylvia was
their adopted daughter, the child OF
AIRS. Reynolds deceased brother Rey-
nolds had little money. and hence it is
thoush; robbery could not have been
the object of the crime
Medical Examiner Wilcox examined
he bodies this afternoon. The wounds
on Mrs Reynolds head were made by
the butt OF 81 musket. while there were
no less than seven bayonet wounds on
!he body. The muSket aud bayonet were
Doth found III the ruins OF the fire. and
are Known to be the property of MoWry
Immediately after the autopsy Judge
Spear, OF the District Court, signed a
warrant for the arrest Of Mowry. and
he was at once brought into court for
arraignment. He plead not guilty. He
was then committed TO jail without bail.
to await The preliminary trial on April
2ist
The only thing like confession made
by Mowcy to-n!gh; was when Or. Will
cox told him he proposed to etheriZe him
and then abstract the bullet which is
now in his head. Mowry said: II
wont be etheriZed. You think il YOU get
me that way | will tell my whole
story"
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