Marble Hill press. (Marbel [sic] Hill, Mo.) 1881-1923, 1899-11-23
Stoddard County Killings

DeXIef dlSpatCneS 10 Ine hepuD-
lie, dated Nov. l6, give accounts Of
three murders and "a hanging in
Stoddard county last week: The
Reverend Jesse Moore, a Methodist
minister, well known in Southeast
Missouri, was assassinated some
time last night while asleep, at his
home near Pyle, six miles south of
Dexter.
Much mystery surrounds the af
fair, and ut late hour to night the
officials were still investigating
Three sons Of the Reverend Mr..
Moore were sleeping in the same
room with their father. The moth
er and daughters occupied another
apartment not far away
Early this morning Elijah, the ell
dest son, IS years old, arose and at
tended to the chores about the barn.
When breakfast was prepared he
went to the room to call his brothers
and father. He was Mortified to
find his father dead, with the top of
his head blown off. The pillow and
bed clothes were saturated with
blood. Neighbors and officers were
summoned and an examination by
DR.. SIayden disclosed the fact that
the preacher had been dead for sew
eral hours.
All Of the members of the family
declare that they did not hear any
report ofa gun or unusual noise dur
ing the night. So far as known the
deceased minister had no enemies
and was universally loved and re-
spected.
4 shotgun was found on rack on
the rear porch, with one barrel
empty, showing that itreocntIy had
been discharged. Before the Coro.
ner, Elijah, the son, testified that
last week his father loaned the gun
to a neighbor, whom he (witness)
did not know. Elijah says he be,
lieves that this unknown neighbor
last night returned with the gun,
killed his father and placed the
weapon in the rack.
The jury rendered verdict that
the minister came to bis death at
the hands ofsome unknown assassin.
Prosecuting Attorney Farris and
Sheriff Evans, however, decided to
arrest Elijah Moore, and he was to-
night lodged in Jail at Bloomfield.
The young man vigorouslypro professed
his innocence. S
A Dexter special, dated Nov. 20,
saws: Elijah Moore, aged 10, who
has been held under suspicion for
the foul assassination Vt his father,
Rev. Jesse Moore, made . full con.
fession. His reason given for the
deed was that his father was u hard,
cruel man in bis family, rigid in his,
discipline, and that be allowed his
children no pleasure OF any charact-
er whatever. He said that while
he had made a large poi tion of his
fathers wealth, he had never receiv-
ed bat soc 10 spend rs he wished.
The confession was given to the
grand jury and the'boy VAS indicted
for murder in the first degree.
Andrew Campbell, ex.posmaster
of Bell City, was shot and killed
last night by William Parker,
merchant nf Ardeola, at the latter
place. Campbell is SAID to have
been Il dangerous man, and, it is
said, mad been prosecuting Parker,
who avoided him Last night they
met and exchanged few words.
In the quarrel that resulted Camp
bell was shot.
William Hun was taken from the
9lnomlield Jail atm early hour
this morning and lynched by a mob.
Their presencn was not known in
the town unlil they posted scntrics /
80 every avenue Ieuding TO the Jail
Sheriff and Juiler Evans wns awus
eaci bY some Que sirll'irg d mitch
10 the room and, az hc raised 40 ID
the he'd oap,' The ra0Sc ~ the light. |
he was cpYfici ly fyc pistols III
the lAlals ~ Ihe Same number II
men
I'VE want william lIAG" il.e