Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-15
MANIAC'S TERRIBLE DEED.
Murdered An Entire Family and At tempted Suicide; Also Attempted
 Arson-Charred Remains Found.

Pascoog, R. l., April 14.-NeWs reached here today of tragedy at Oakland, small farming village few miles from Pascoog. About three o'clock this morn- ing th= house occupied by Edward Key holds and family was burned and Rey- holds, his wife and adopted daughter were killed It was several hours after the firs was discovered before those who were at the scene could begin their search. At daylight body was seen lying near the center of rhe ruins and a s soon as possible. this was removed. All though it was burned so badly that it was beyond recognition the appearance Indicated that it was that of Sylvina Reynolds, lshe twenty-year old daughter of the family A short time later Rey- holds body was recovered, the identifica- tion being general one as the body had been frightfully burned.
 When the nsighbors who had b=en aroused by the fire went to the Key holds hous5 this morning they found that the flames were confined to one part of the building. Th- place was securely fas- tened, the doors being bolted and locked and every window closed tightly so that they were compelled to burst open the door to gain admission. The hous- had been saturated with kerosene and the flames spread rapidly. The rescuers at tempted to reach the part of the hous where the family slept but were driven back and only had time to take Mrs. Rey- holds body out before that section of tn: house WEBS in a blaze. Her head had been crushed in and the upperp art 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 ths hasty examination that could be taken 1t was evident the bed had not been disturbed. The bed clothes as well as the floor leading to the door had be+n saturated with some kind of oil Mowrys trunk and a box belonging to him was open and his clothes were strewn about the floor.
 Mowry was found in Leander Buffums s barn, some distance from the scene of the fire. chatting and laughing like a maniac. Buffrun ee,za the msn and gave him up to ore of the posse S arch ing for him. Mowry is about 65 years of age. asasa
 From the situation of the bodies it is supposed that Reynolds was called to his daughters room by some unusual noise and there. received his death blow. It Is supposed that Miss R yn Ids was tte l Killed. Mowry is thsn thought to have gone to Mrs. Reynolds room and killed her by stabbing her with some blunt weapon
 Mowry went from the house to the woods and attempted suicide by she eot- ing himself in the head. The bullet only stunned him. however. Ha did nat re peat the attempt He then went to Buffums barn. The revolver with an empty cha mbar was found on hin. al7o an empty oil can4 Mowry was willing to talk after beirg arrested, but from his appearance and manner of expression it seemed clear that he was insane.
 Reynolds and his wife were each about 30 years old, Sylvanfa was their adopted daughter the child of Mrs. Reynolds d D. ceased brother. Reynr'ds had little money, and hsnce it is thought rlbbary could not have been the object of the crime.