Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-12-16

the condition OF things the struggle, il
there was one, was OF short duration,
and Mr.. Fara disd probably few
minutes after hB was first attacked.
1t is altogether likely that the muir
drrer had his plans we'll laid aud acted |
deliberately. That he intended to burn |
the house, with the possibility of |
suuffing out tho lives of the two chill |
drbn who were asleep upstairs, and |
thereby adding to his infamous crime,
there is no doubt. As tho broken lamp
was found among the charred corn cohH
near the chair it is believed that be
broke it after the murder had been
committed and anread the oil over the
cobs to make them hurn. There are
also evidences Of oil having been scat
tered about the floor. which was prob
ably done for the purpose OF making
the flames ppread rapidly. There was
overy opportunity for a fire. and as
there was much woodwork about no.
body can toll why the fire did not
spread and consume the whole house.
But il did not for Homs reason. Nearly
all Of the cobs in the wood box and
under tho chair were burned, as was
alsu some wood which was apparently
among the cobs, but the flames did not
sprend very far beyond where they
started.
The ulaze which had been started
under the chair was only u few inches
from Mr.. Farra's body, nnd why it did
| not communicates to the clothing ia
mystery. There was another chair
alongside the burned one and almost
touching it, hut the flames did not
communicate 20 il. 1t Ia believed that
the fire burned for some time, AZ the
fragments of tho lamp chimney, which
were among the cobs, were very much
smoked and would probably have
melted had the fire continued to burn
much longer.
Ii is rather a peculiar thing that
the children did not smell the smoke.
This neighbors, as far as could be
learned, did not sou or smell the fire,
and 10 fact. there was nothing to
arouse their suspicions during the
night. This heightens the belief that
the dasturdly crime was committed after
midnight. 1t is thought that the muir
derer, knowing that Mr.. FaHa was
quietly asleep on ths lounge and was
not liable to arouse of his own yolition
natiently waited and moved about
quietly or kept still until he was sure
there was no probability of detection.
After he had entisfed himself that
tho childron were fast asleep and there
we're no naighbors stirring about he
carefully placed the book be had beun
reading on box noar the window on
the south side of the house, picked un
the heavy iron weight. with which he
walked across the room and dealt Mr..
Farra blow while he was quietly
seeping on the lounge.
It is thought ttat the plans for firing
4 Bnt hn
murder was commit tilted. This is posi-
bio The assailant may have been in
, his bare feet or stocking feet and made
no noise while moving about the house,
carrying the cuhs from the wood box tn
D tho floor unier the chair Then, after
, the murder was committed he probably
opened the stove and scattered the
, burning amhsrs about, taking care to
SEQ that 1.-Two fire was applied to the
| niles of cobs which he had arranged.
. As soon rs the tragedy became known
many people went to the house and
there was great Indignation. Many
threats were heard against the suspect
| and II he should be caught before the
t officera arrest him he will have hare
b road to travel.
Deputy Coroner Chandler had the
I hody removed TO the residence of Mr..
D Farra's daughter, Mrs. William Day,
D No. ,204 East Sixth street, from which
{ place the funeral will probably take
k place. An inquest will not be hello
Q until the investigation has progressed
= further.
d The unfortunate man was born il
q Chester county, Pa, on October 18th,
r 1912 He came to Wilmington abuut
q l3 years ago and lived in this city unit
Q about two years ago. when he tool
Il charge Of the farm whore he was mur'
dered.
It Tho following children survive Mr.
g Farra: John ID. Farra, who lives ut
d Scott street near Delaware avenue; Mrs
q Hsnry Rowland of No. 9l5 Brewste
n street, Philadelphia: Mrs. William
Is Day OF No. 204 East Sixth street, thi
city Mrs. Wallace Cobb of No. 262
J. Bowler street. Philadelphia; Grace
10 Ralph, IIulda. Willard and Mabel Farra
u who lived with their father, and Naomi
h who lives with her aunt, Mrs. Saral
,r Ryan, at Rising Sun, Md. Naomi, VIII
% is tbs youngest, is 10 years OF nge.
J., Charles Thorn the negro, who is aus
o pscted of having committed the crime
10 is said to be about 30 Yeas of age. II
Ia 6 feet tall, weighs about $50 or 10
10 pounds, il brown in color and wore
10 had been wearing a blue storm over
sr coat, blue overplls, striped shirt ant
IN brown SLOUGH hat. When he came t
IN Wilmington he said he came from Bal
IN timore.
There could have been no other oh
j. iect for committing ths crime tina
10 robbery, as Mr.. Farra and his hire
ID man had been on the best OF terms, &C
10 cordiug to a statement made by vii
ID lard, and, as far rs is known. there ha
90 been no trouhle between thon. In fact
ID at night, when the children went
Of he'd, all we're in the best of spirits, an
10 little did father or children dream wha
I'd WAS in store for tho former.
re Officers Maloney and Kane too
charge OF the house until relatives al
s, rived and the body was taken care {
o. by Deputy Coroner Chandler. In
by officers and neighbors looked after til
no stock ana other matters about th
Us farm. The children will be taken cur
nd of by older brothers and sisters
IL 1t is altogether probable that th
of murderer thought Mr. Farra had NOR
be money about him than the 50 which
be missing aud he may havo had MOI
en- than that amount. 1t was reporte
yesterday that Mr.. Farra had bee
be paid about S45 for work performed o
ng one of the railroads, the money havin
ch been drawn last Friday. Whether b
y. had this with him at the time is nj
Ily known, Mr.. Farra was pensione
or ond tim m ,,rdarar ayidentIy thnupht