The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-10
KILLED in
THEIR BEDS.
Triple Tragedy Near
BrOOkfield, Mass.
NEWTON FAMILY SLAIN.
Axe the Weapon Used by the AS
sasSin In His Awful Work.
NEWTON FAMILY SLAIN.
PAUL, A FARM HAND SUSPECTED

worcester, Mhss., Jan. lU.-NeWs Oh a
triple murder. of which Francis ID. New
ton, prosperous farmer, his wife sarah
and their l0-year.old adopted daughter,
Ethel were the victims, reached this city
at All early hour this morning. The fam
lily were killed with an axe in their
house, about two miles from Brooktield
Centre, on the road to Sturtridge.
lLe crime was discovered 10y Leighbors
who heard the lowing Of the unfed cattle
and made an Investigation. The three
members of the family were found In
their blood soaked beds hired man
who has teen employed Dy Newton is
missing ana the authorities are making
a sharp search for MIN. lie w.s known
only by tho name OF Paul. lie was last
seen Friday night just before midnight,
by a neighbor who was returning from a
grange meeting. He was then more tBan
"A mile from the Newton house and was
goiDR III the direction OF Brookiield.
Two young men also Jaw him at about
the same time, going In the same direc-
ton. The man turned his head away
from them as ho passed.
From tais IL is believed that the inur-
der WAS committed between 10 and III
o'clck Friday night. Newton was Al
yenrs OF age and his wife was three years
younger.
While Elmer Newcomb was passing
the Newton place Sunday afternoon he
heard the cattle in the barn making an
unusual disturbance. lie notified VII
liam Bemis and william Eaton. who live
in neighboring houses and these men
thinking the Newtons bad goue away
and had been detained went To the barn
and fed the cattle, 10 in number and at
tended to their other wants, the cows
frnt hsatf
milked.
While thev were thus engaged IL was
noticed that no one was about the house,
but still thinking the family were away,
returned TO their homes. They kept an
eye on the<place, however, looking for
Mr Newton's return.
AS night approached and tho absent
farmer ala not appear, Bemis and some
other neighbors vislsited the house deter
mined to make an Investigation. A
vigorous knocking at the hecK door met
with no response. Then they went round
the house To the front entrance AS they
passed the parlor windows one OF the
men noticed tnat pane of glass had be-
broRcn near the fastening and the win.
dow was slightly raised. They opened it
wider and crawled into the ROOM As
soon a. their eyes rested upon the apart
ment they saw some one had thoroughly
ransacked the place. The fur nishipgs were
in disorder and ~ the men passed
through the different rooms they noticed
tnat drawers had been opened and their
contents thrown about.
Follwing their search the neigh bors
entered a small bed room at tho rear OF
the house. On blood stained bed lay
the bodies OF Mrs. Newton anu the little
girl. They were dressed. but their cloth
ing was torn and blood stained. Their
skirts had been thrown over the upper
parts of their bodies, leaving tie linn bs
exposed In the abdomen OF the child
we're several cuts, as ii they had been
made with jacknife. Near the Ded was
"a blood stained AKA which evidently was
| the weapon used.
Ine men, fearing to touch the bodies,
did not investigate the cases of the fe-
male victims further, but hurried on
| through the rest of the house. Up stairs
in the chAmber usually occupied by Mr.
Newton. which connected with that oc-
cupied by the hired man. Paul, lay the
body of the farmer on thejted
All about were evidences that he had
been dealt with as had the other MEM
bers OF his family. He also was dressed
about his head So as TO conceal any
wounds which might be thereon. The
bed in Paul's room had been occupied.
but there was no other trace OF the hired
man.
Ibe motive for the crime is not known.
Robbery has been referred TO as n prob
nhlo cause, but thet IL Is thought. does
not account for the slaughter OF tho
whole family. Moreover, Mr.. Newton :
gold watch was found In his vest, which
nung over a chair back in his chamber