Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-03-06
WE'RE FROM HOPE.
EARLL FAMILY MURDERED IN
WELSH, La.
Father, Mother and -Four Sons Killed
BY Hired xan-nurderer Is in Jail
at New Orleans.

Many residents Of Hope will re-
member the EARL family that lived in
that town about fifteen years ago.
Mr.. Earll ran the stucco mill Tor q
time and was plasterer. They
moved from Hope to Iowa and then
to Welsh, La. About week ago Mr..
Earll, bis wife and four sons were
found murdered. The Lake Charles
Press tells Of the tragedy:
81. 5. Earl, well.known citizen
Of Calcasieu parish, owns q farm
about one and three.quarters OF q
mile from the promising city OF
Welsh. He had prospered since COM
ing here about twelve years since
from bis home 10 lowa-at one time
in the feed and grain business, and at
another in the real estate business in
Welsh. Recently he had withdrawn
to his farm less than two miles south
west from the city. Near him his
son Ward owned farm On which a
small house had been erected, and it
was in this house that the family, ex-
cept the father, met their death at
some demons hands.
miss Maude EARL is a clerk in a
Welsh store. Receiving word from
this city which filled her with vague
uneasiness, she secured carriage and
went to her parents home; not find
ing them at home, she went to her
brothers. "camp," as the family called
it, only to find herself bereft Of pa
rents and brothers by an assassin's
hand.
"On the floor lay the body OF her
lS-year.old brother, Fay; across bis
body was stretched the form OF her
brother John, a stout lad Of II years;
Lemuel, 70 years old, laying half way
on John and Fay, while the poor old
mother, with the entire top Of her
head torn away, had been thrown by
the iiend, with savage appropriate
ness, on the bodies Of her sons whom
she would have gladly given her life
to save. On the bed but a few feet
away reclined the dead body of Ward
EARL, aged rs years and the owner Of
the place. The young man was lying
on the bed with all bis clothing on,
and the supposition at this writing,
as telephoned in by Deputy Sheriff
7. S. Hardy, who is on the scene, is
that be was shot to death.
"The old mother, besides having
her head crushed, had also received
an awful cash across her throat which
the poor dying creature had vainly
endeavored TO close by fastening
bandage Of rags around her neck.
The other victims presumably were
shot.
"The father, l.. S. EARL, was not
with his family at Ward Earlls house,
which is situated about one mile from
the old folks home, therefore, a Wig
orous search was made for him. A
wild story flew around that he had
been seen in Crowley, but before the
foolish rumor could start on its lying
journey, the dead and mutilated body
of the old man EARL was found in o
ditch, about 200 yards from his own
home and three.quarters Of mile
from the butchery, with bullet hole
in his temple"
The murderer is supposed to be
Edwin Batson Of Spickard, Mo-, hired
man and cousin Of the Earlls. He
was arrested at Lawrence, Mo-,
crossed the length of Missouri in
safety last night and, in chargs Of
Sheriff Perkins OF Calcasieu parish.
was safely landed in the parish prison
at New Orleans. He will STAY IN
New Orleans until his trial is called.
Governor Heard is exerting himself
to give the prisoner adequate protec.
ton. Batson says that he is innocent.