The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-14


Oakland two villages in the town Of
BGrrillyillo this morning and they went
in Che direction of the beacon, little
thinking that they were ito learn that a
terrible tragedy had taken place. The
fire started about two O'Clock and neigh
bors rushed TO the old Mathcwson house
located on Sweets Hill. The premises
were occupied by Edward Reynolds and
family consisting of wife and adopted
daughter. Mr.. Reynolds was 30 years old
and his wife was also 10 years of age.
The daughter was IL years old. Reynolds
was a carpenter and well known in tho
town.
None of these people are now alive.
They were murdered and the remains
of the father and daughter were burned
beyond recognition.
The first knowledge that a horrible
crime had been committed came when Il @
neighbors rushed into the burning bui j =
ing and found Mrs. Mathewson with r
head terribly battered. She was uncon-
scious and apparently very near 10 death.
Friends removed her To a safe place "a
"A short distance from the house 1t was
seen from the nature of the terrible
wounds that the poor woman had but "a
few moments TO live. Efforts were made
TO revive her with the hope of getting
some information regarding the fearful
happening, but they were unavailing and
the victim of "a horrible crime died while
the house in which she had been dwelling
In peace and security but "A few hour be-
fore, was hcrcely burning.
Frenzied With Excitement.
Those who were at the scene were
frenzicd with excitement when the fact
Of the murder dawned upon them.
t.Ix a, fnr.
farm hand namod Martin Mowry, but
he could not bc found then.
There was very little time for rescue
because the fire had gained enough head
way 20 cause the alarm and when the
ncighbors arrived on the scene the house
was wrapped in fire. The first corners
rushed into the house and found Mrs.
Reynolds on her bed. She presented
horrible sight with her CORY head. This
artling discovery impellcd the discoyerers
To quick action knowing that several
other persons were in the house. They
made an effort 10 reach other sleeping
rooms but the fierce fire and sitting
sm,~e drove them back and they had TO
leave the premises for their own safety.
The glare brought all the villagers
around about and all they could do was
to stand and watch the fire while it des-
troyed tho house and farm buildings.
Ii was wild scene for this quiet place.
minds Of those awe-striken villagers as
they stood in the blackness of night in
front of the blaze and realized that
murder and arson had probably been
committed In their midst
They stood and waited for the fire to
conclude its work and as soon as the
house had been reduced To ashes the
search was resumed.
The three victims of the awful tragedy,
are Edwin NJ. Reynolds, 30 years, Abbie
j. Reynolds, his wife, 30 years old, and
Scrville, their adopted daughter, 10 years
old. Soryilla was the daughter of Freder-
ick y. Mowry, who is brother of Mrs.
Reynolds The house In which the
tragedy occurred was long known rs the
Edsha Mowry estate. Mr.. Mowry died
five years ago. He never married but he
and Martin Mowry another old bachelor,
kept house together, Mowry acting as
house servant and farmer. The house
being of the old New England type, built
for two families, Mowry took the west
end after his old friends death and the
cast end was taken by the Reynolds
family, who moved in about a year and
half ago Mr. Reynolds was of most
generous and quiet disposition, and as
he had no money TO speak of, no element
of robbery could, 1t now seems probable,
have entered into the deed. Mowry had
~ very good reputation, too. He at times
spent considerable money with the viii
layers, particularly at the church fairs,
and at times he varied that pleasure with
libations of intoxicauts, but never when
under tho influence of liquor was he in
clined 10 be- troublesome He was known
worry generally throughout that part Of
the stnte as collector of old coins,
curios, antique furniture and colonial
relics. so tnat when the news of the
tragedy was first bruited about, II was
surmised that the possibility of the old
man having "a store of valuable coins had
aroused the cupidity OF some tramp and
resulted in the murder.
A Grayer Aspect.
As the dawn passed into full daylight
another theory had to bc taken up IL
was that of murder, arson and perhaps
rape The latter crime will never bc fully
established, unless the culprit confcsses
his guilt. Mrs. Reynolds was still OF
attractive features. while her adopted
daughter had begun Co blossom out into
womanhood and could not fail To draw
the attention of the opposite sex. MIR
Reynolds occupied bedroom on tho
northeast side Of the ground floor of the
house. Mrs Reynolds had the room To-
the north west. The girl slept ON the
second floor. ON the south side and over
looking tho road. The builtng had
division wall i'm which was built the great
chimney. On the other side Of this par
titlon lived the old rcclusc, Mowry Be
tween the two families there had been per
feet peace and accord. That there had
been any amatory feeling was not thought