The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-27
BLOOD HIS JOY.
Delights in the Murder
of Children.
Evidently a Genuine Type of
the Degenerate.
Killed His FOur-Year-Old Brother
aud Threatened Others.

Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 27.--A mere lad,
moro degenerate than the famous ana
world-known Jesse Pomeroy, has been
discovered in this state, and Is now an
innate OF the Boys Industrial Home, at
Lancaster. This degenerate is named
Willie Crago, and is only II years of age.
yet he coolly talks of his deeds of blood
shed with npnchalanoe that would do
credit to the most depraved Of murderers.
The recital Of the terrible crimes he has
committed and of pleasure in others an
ticipated. causes smile to play over his
cauntenance aud look of delight TO en-
ter his eye.
The crime for which he will be sent to
the reformatory is the attempt he made
on the life OF his little baby sister few
weeks ago at the home of his parents,
about 10 miles from this city. The baby
is the child OF second wife of .boseph
Crago, and thus is the half sister Of the
youth.
JOY IN KILLING.
II was born about four weeks ago, and
Willie, while apparently at times, de-
lighted with the addition to the house,
hold, seemed chiefly joyous because OF
his prospective fun in killing the babe.
The fact that he had murdered four
year-old brother about four years ago in
Tuscarawas county did not come To
light until the attempt to murder the
baby was made known.
He regrets very much the failure TO ac-
complish his intention TO murder the lit
tie baby sister. and says that he Will DO
so when ho first has an opportunity, but
fortunately that opportunity Will never DO
presented. as he will never be permitted
to leave the reformatory, unless he Is re-
moved to the peDitentiary, and this Will
be done the first time he shows an in
clination To murder any of the boys at
the reformatotv.
CHILD'S HEAD CUT OFF.
The lad told Of how he killed the little
lad in Tuscarawas county. with evident
delight. He said that he cut of the head
of the child with IN axe and then. after
the death, he took sharp knife and cut
off tho nose and Doth ears ana finally
wound up by cutting the arms of near
the shoulders
Said he: II held sister just as tight as
could and then made Johnnie cut the
Hrms off, fhuy were hnrd tn get on, but
he done it after made him work hard.
When the pieces were all cut OIL we made
q playhouse out Of paby's arms and
legs"
Still another playmate. whose slaughter
Willie contemplated was to have been
hatchet
The four-week old sister was to have
been killed, he says. with any weapon
which came most convenient to him.
He had secreted a knife under the porch.
and upon one occasion he went into the
room where the baby was with hatchet
in his hand.
On more than one occasion since the
family removed TO this Vicinity the
parents have returned home and found
the boy standing over bis nine-year-old
mute sister with an uplifted axe, la
she act OF Draining the child, and when
he was reproved by his parents he be-
came very INDIGNANT and told his father
that he should not interfere with his
plans
SURELY A DEGENERATE.
There Is no question ms to his bsing
degenerate. lie has many of the degener
ate characteristics noted by the students
of heredity.
Ever since he was scarcely able to crawl
he has manifested longing to torture
animals or small children, and yet be
says that he does not like to see blood
and that wnen be killed his sister four
years ago the sight of the blood made him
feel queer. He seems not TO have tho
slightest idea of right or wrong. and saws
he likes &c see the people squirm, when
thoy are hurt and says IL is so funny To
see boys and pigs kick when they are
hurt.
When Willie Crago reached Lancaster
crowd gathered To see him. He paid no
attention to any one except Sheriff Me-
Collister, TO whom ne has become greatly
attached. He refused TO answer any Of
the numerous questions propoundPd.
When the time came 10 bid the sheriff
sood bye the boy clung TO the officer and
cried.
Five minutes after the sheriff loft Villa
was the liveliest boy in the crowd.
Asked about his crime the boy said
81 had lots of fun down home | tell
you. and mebbe I'll Kill great many
moro people before / get through 1t is
more fun killing boys and girls than IL
IL killing chickens or pigs All cf 'em
bleed and squirm, though, Just as funny
as can. be. What makes 'em do ity
Don't they want 20 De Killedy'