The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-26
THE SON CONFESSED.
Shot His Father Because He Was Cross
and Grabbed, W

and Grabbed.
Dexter. Mo-. Nov. 25.-The mystery
surrounding the tragic death of Rev.
Jesse Moore, who was assassinated last
Thursday while he lay asleep in bed at
his home, six miles south Of here, is
cleared. The son Elijah, 10 years old
held under suspicion, to-day made a
full confession Of the deed. He also
said that his sister Mary knew of his
intention to murder his father, al
though in a subsequent statement he
exonerated her and declared that he
alone was to blame. Since his arrest
Elijah seemed indifferent and main
tained sullen attitude toward his Jail
companions and the officers until Satur-
day. when he broke down and cried like
a child. Last night Prosecuting Attor-
ney Farris put him in the sweat box
again and this morning, when this Of
ficer told him as "bluff'' that a mob
would lynch him unless he cleared the
mystery he exclaimed in trembling as
cents: my God, man, save me from
this horrible fate and will tell TIE
whole story f, ISL
Upon being assured Of the laws pro-
lection and a fair trial Elijah gave the
following statement. which was repeat
ed in the presence Of two witnesses:
81 fired the fatal shot that killed my
father, Jesse Moore, on the morning of
Nov. IT, I had contemplated and
planned this deed for two weeks pre-
vious to his death and thought as ! re-
turned home each day from my labor
that would carry it into execution.
could never summon up sufficient cour-
age, however, until last Wednesday
night, when I made firm vow before
going to bed that 1t should be his last
night on earth. This determination was
strengthened by stormy scene which
he occasioned in the family by an out
burst of anger ., his part on that day
Before retiring I walked over to where
he lay on his back sleeping, noted the
position Of his body, the position of the
windows in the room and decided in
what portion of the face the shot must
be fired in order to lend eredence to the
belief that he was shot from one OF the
windows.
LAS the clock struck 8 o'clock the
baby in an adjoining room reused me
out Of doze. I got up, slipped into
the kitchen, got my fathers gun. came
back and placed the muzzle within
about IS inches of his face and fired.
At breakfast time I went into the
kitchen and told mother and Mary to
make no outcry, but some enc had come
during the night and shot fathers head
lay. This was the first time I saw the
body since I fired the shot. AS looked
on my bloody deed I would have given
my life 10000 times If had never COM
mitted the deed. We sent the neigh
bors word and they fiocked to the
place.
My motive for the murder was this:
Father was cross, grabbed man to his
family and at times was harsh and
cruel. He never allowed me and Mary
any pleasure. His idea was life of
servitude and hard work and he en-
forced this with rigid discipline upon
his whole family. I had an ambition
to do something and be something in
the world; to mingle with my COM
panions in a social way: to have
sweethearts and get enjoyment out Of
life. and I knew ! could never do it
as long as father lived. In his death
saw all these things and more that
would be at the head of the family and
make money for myself"
Monres case will so over to the March
term of the circuit court.