Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-02-20
INDIAN DIABOLISM
Probably Responsible for the
Winona 6utchery.
HORRIBLE DETAILS OF THE oRnrE.

More Internal Than At First Appeared
Perpetrators Ssemiagly Rsvelsd In .
Frenzy Of Dsvilish Fury-W0unds Found
On the Victims - Nsmsless Atrocities
Committsd-A Possible Case Of Revenge
-Redskins Noticed Near the Scene.
Bismarck. N. D., Feb. 20.-Further de-
velopments from the tragedy at winona
show II to have been more horrible than
first reported. The murder occurred on
Wednesday afternoon, but was not dis
covered until Thursday morning. The
body Of spicer was found in the barn
which he had been cleaning. There was
a gunshot wound in the back, half a
dozen knife wounds in the breast, and
the throat was fearfully hacked. Indi-
cations are that he was killed first. Mrs.
Spicer. hearing the shot, ran down to
the barn. evidently from her washing,
for her sleeves were rolled I'D to the ell
bows. She was killed by a blow with
an ak. her head being crushed and chin
split open to the throat.
Two Of the Women Ravished.
Her breast was filled with holes, as
trough she had been stabbed with a
pitchfork. spicer had twenty-six shots
and large lead bullet. evidently home-
made. In his back. The further discov-
cry was made that Mrs. Rouse and Mrs.
Spicer had been ravished, but from ap-
pearances not till after stricken down.
Mrs. Rouse made a struggle for her life
and her children's lives from appear
ances. and her throat was grazed by a
knife. just cutting through the skin.
She was then killed with an ak, as were
the children. Their bodies were not so
badly mutilated. Mrs. waldron, the old
lady. was killed near the stove and the
body dragged to the cellar door. which
had been opened, but the body was not
thrown in for some reason.
Indians Seen Neaf the spicer Home.
1t IL reported from the scene of the
tragedy that an Indian had an engage
ment at the Spicer home Wednesday
morning to trade horses, but did not
come. passer-by named Wilson says
he saw In the middle Of the afternoon
an Indian coming down from the road
which II about half q mile from the
house. and after he passed the Indian
went back again. Another settler says
another Indian followed him across the
river about noon and wanted to trade
horses, and then went back to the side
OF the river where the Spicer home is.
May Have Been Fedskin Revenge.
It seems to be the general opinion
among the settlers that Indians are re-
sponsible for the crime. 1t is known
that an Indian woman was badly beaten
by white woman near winona not
long ago, and IL II possible -thak.-aNz0A
drunken Indian thought to take re-
venge on these harmless people. Money
to the amount OF several dollars was
found on the bodies OF the dead, but a
dress suit and some Of the womens
clothes were taken. Indian police are
trying to locate the Indian who was
seen near Spicer's home. but SO fal
have accomplished nothing.
Scene to Try the stoutest Heart.
The six bodies were laid out in the
house where the murder was committed
Thursday night, the mutilated and dis.
figured remains OF the old and youne
women and little children making g
scene to try the stoutest heart. The
bodies will be buried tomorrow on the
brow Of hill near the house. Rela
lives Of the murdered people have no
been permitted to see the remains, 81
horrible are the surroundings and mutt
lation Of the bodies. The coroners jur,
has not yet rendered a verdict.