The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-04-21
A VERlTkBLE FlEND.
Murders Girl, Her Father and Mother,
SurnsTheir Bodies.

PAsCoNG, r. l., April 14.-News
reached here today Of a tragedy at
Oakland, q snail farming village a
few miles from Pascong, about 3
o'clock this morning. The house &C.
cupied by Edward Reynolds, his wife
and an adopted daughter. was burned.
1t was several hours after the tlre vas
discovered before those who were a.
the scene could begin their search.
At daylight body was seen lying
near the ceatre Of the ruins, and SIS
soon as possible this was removed.
Although it was burned SO caGlg that
]: was beyond recognition, The appear
ance indicated that it was taat of Syl,
vina Reynolds, the 20-year-otd dauSn.
ter OF the family. 4 short tim9 later
Reynolds body was also recovered,
the Identification being general one
as the body had been frightfuIy
burned.
When the neighbors, who mad been
aroused BY the fre, went to the Rey;,
nolds house this morning, they found
that the flames we're confned to cne
part of the building. The place was
securely fastended, the doors being
boiled, and locked aud every window
closed tightly, SO that they were com
oelled to burst open tne door to gain
admittaace. The house had been
saturated with kerosene, and the
flames spread rapidly. The rescueTs
attem oted to reach the part OF the
house where the family slept, but
we're driven back, and oaly had time
t. take Mrs. Reynolds body out De
fore that section of the house was IN
olsza. Her head had been crushed IN
and the upper part OF the body was
terribly multilated. Martin Mowry,
VINO worked for Reynolds, slept IN
another part Of the house, and the
villagers hurried TO his room TO alarm
hin.
The room was empty and from the
nssty examination tnat could be ma1e
it was evident that the bed had not
been disturbed. The bed clothing, as
well as the floor leading to the door,
had been saturated with some Equlp
supposed to be kerosene. MoWfyS
trunk and box belonging TO him
were opened and his clothing was
strewn about the foor. Mowry was
found in L3auGer Bufum's barn
some distance from the scene OF the
fire. chatterine and laughing ike
maniac Butfum arrested the man
and gave him up to the officer. MoWfy
is bachelor, about IS years of age.
From the position Of the bodies, 1t
is believed that Reynolds was called
to his daughters room by soma IN,
usal sound and that when he reached
the side of her bad he received his
death blow. At that time Miss Key
nolas was probably killed. The muir
derer, it is supposed, then vent to
Mrs. Reynolds room, and, after STAB
bing her twice IL the face, battered
her head in with some bluGE weapon.
When Mowry left the house he Went
to the woods, where he shot himself 10
tae head. The bullet only stunned
him, however, and he did no. repeat
the attempt. He then went to Bat
fun's farm. The revolver, with two
chambers empty, WAS found IN MS
possession and an empty Oil can was
found in Mowry's apartments. Mowry
was willing to talk after his arrest,
but from his appearance and manner
of expression it seem=d clear tnat ne
was insane. Reynolds and his wife
were each about 50 years OF age.
.Sylvina was their adopted daughter,
the Child of Mrs. Reynolds deceased
brother. Reynolds had little money and
hence it is thought robbery could not
bo,a haon 4ha object of the crime.