The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-21
BOTH EARS CUT OFF.
Watch and Money Missing When the Body
Was Found-Had Made Round of the
Saloons With a Friend
Who Has Disap-
peared.

and white stripe shirt, four-in-hand
white necktie, brown pantaloons, drab
cutaway coat and new patent leather
shoes of the congress pattern.
John Connors was formerly employed
in Webster, and was well known about
town with the factory element. Three
years ago he worked in the Chase wool
en- mills as a weaver. After he left
here, three years ago, practically moth
ing had been heard about him, beyond
the fact that he had enlisted in the
Third Connecticut regiment, infantry.
Yesterday morning Connors appeared
in Webster in company with his COM
rade, Duffy, ostensibly to renew old
acquaintance of Connors' and also to
visit some of the Webster men who
had served in the same regiment at
Fort Meade.
About the first seen of the men was
yesterday morning, when Connors and
Duffy appeared at the "Ill Try House
on Main street, owned and operated by
N. C. GILES.
Inc men did not register, but Con-
nors ordered breakfast for himself and
his friend Duffy. Both ate a hearty
breakfast, and Connors paid the bills.
He drew from his pocket a few coins
OF various denominations, and paid so
cents for the meal
me men then sailed forth to have a
royal good time, and they had it. Con-
nors was the best known of the two.
The pair finally dropped into saloon
and Connors ordered two beers, one for
himself and the other for his COM
panion.
In payment for the drinks Connors
pulled out a roll of money and taking a
ten dollar bill placed it on the bar. The
bartender changed the bill, and after
receiving his money, Connors and DUFFY
departed.
During the course of the day the two
men droppen into various saloons at
intervals, Connors invariably paying
the bills. In one saloon the bartender
noticed that Connors had a good look
ing gold watch and chain.
In three different saloons in town,
Connors was known to have rendered
ten dollar bills in payment for ten cent
drinks, and in as many cases the change
was returned by the bartenders.
1t is evident, therefore, that the muir
dered man possessed something like $40
besides his gold watch and chain: Con-
nors was extremely free with his
money, and seemed determined to give
his comrade a royal good time.
The last seen of Connors was late last
evening when he and a companion, sup
posed to be Duffy walked up the rail-
road tracks in the direction of Chase
vile crossing. After that neither man
was seen and Duffy disappeared from
sight, going either to his home in Put
nam, Conn, or elsewhere,
The next chapter in the tragedy was
opened when the engineer discovered
the dead body of Connors lying beside
the east bound track, south of Chase
vile crossing.
1t is possible, but not probable. that
a gang of tramps may have committed
the dastardly deed.
A spot of blood about a foot from the
place where the body was found would
indicate that Connors was assaulted at
this point. The assassin evidently
aimed blow after blow upon the de-
fenceless head of the man, telling him
to the ground.
The next cowardly act was to rob the
dead This was done most thoroughly
Everything on the person of Connors
was taken, watch, chain, money jack
knife and keys, in fact, everything that
could possibly lead up to an identifica-
ton so far as personal effects went. A
dime and an envelope were the only
things left in the clothing
Apparently crazed by his awful work
of murder and robbery, the murderer
decided to make sure that Connors
could not be recognized.
Apparently he took out his knife and
cut off the dead mans ears.
The appearance of the scalp wounds
| indicate that the murderer had picked
UP coupling pin beside the track, and
with this had inflicted the fatal blows.
The fiend vainly tried to conceal the
crime of murder by pulling the body up
close to the east track of the railroad.
to make 1t appear that Connors had
been struck by freight train and
killed
Just what time the crime was com
mitted of course is not known. 1t is
probable, however, that it transpired
shortly after midnight.
Chaseville crossing Is one of the most
| dangerous within the town borders, and
| In consequence trainmen are especially
instructed by officials of the road to
watch the spot This was done last
| night, as is the custom every night.
The niger freight passes through
/ Webster at any hour from $50 O'Clock
until past midnight. and last night IL
pulled into the location shortly before
| IL o'clock The engineer had his eyes
Continued on Second PaEe,)