Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-06-05
A HORRIBLE CRIME
SEATTLE iNFANTICIDE TRACED
TO ABERDEEN PARENTS.
Mr.. and Mrs. Paul Underwood, of This City,
Accused Of Making Away With Their In.
FAINT Child at Seattle. Young Woman
Probably Innocent.

The people of Aberdeen were shocked
Tuesday by the word from Seattle that
the infant child of Mr.. and Mrs. Paul
Underwood, of this city, had been
drowned, and that its parents were ac-
cnsed OF the awful crime of its murder.
The relatives of the young couple are
highly respected residents OF Aberdeen
and the news was deemed Incredible,
until confirmed by such a circumstantlal
tale OF the case as was contained in the
Seattle Pr. OF that day.
Paul Underwood, young shingle
weaver, and Miss Nellie WeatherWaX,
who was bu; about Ii years OF age, Were
married in this city last December, and
soon afterwards went to Ballard, where
Mr.. Underwood was employed in a
single mill
On May Is girl raby was born to the
young couple, of which no information
is believed to have been re .eived by
relatives here. Last Sunday, Mr.. and
Mrs. Underwood arrived in Aberdeen to
make visit to their parents, and were
made heartily welcome. no mention be-
ing made OF the birth of child.
On Sunday afternoon the body OF a
girl baby, about three weeks old, was
found in the bay near Ballard An
autopsy revealed the fact that the chilu
was alive when put into the water, and
chain OF evidence without flaw de
clared the child to be that of the Under
woods.
Mr.. and Mrs. Underwood left Ballard
at 9 O'Clock, Saturday evening, with the
baby, to go to Seattle, where they were
to spend the night and take the train for
Aberdeen IN the morning. When leav-
ing Ballard, Mr.. Underwood appeared
laboring under excitement, and carried
bundle which he said contained dirty
clothing, but which is believed to have
concealed the sack and rock afterwards
found with the body OF the infant.
The detective work OF the officers in
dicates that the crime was premeditated
at least on the part of the unnatural
father, for some time and was carried out
in the most heartless and coldblooded
manner imaginable. The child is known
to have been alive and in perfect health
at 8 O'Clock last Saturday night, and Sun
day morning was found dead, tied in a
-four sack, weighted with heavy stone.
If further evidence Of murder were need
ed, the fact would be conclusively proved
by the autopsy. The lungs and stomach
of the infant were filled with water,
showing that it was alive when dropped
from the bridge crossing the estuary.
As soon as the identity of the body was
assured, and the fact that murder had
been committed determined, Sheriff
Cudihee Sent lengthy despatch to
Sheriff Huff, at Montesano, detailing the
circumstances, and asking that the I'm
derwoods be placed under arrest. This
was Monday evening, and the message
was not delivered until the next morn.
ing About 9 o'clock, Tuesday morning
Officer Murphy received telephone in
structions from Sheriff Huff to arrest
the couple, and, although Mr.. Under
wood was seen on the streets and about
his accustomed haunts by his acquaint-
ances nearly all day the officer was un'
able to locate him. AS the matter
became noised about during the day
Underwood took alarm and skipped out
and was not seen after 8 o'clock.
The failure to arrest Underwood has
occasioned much adverse criticism or
the police authorities, which the HERALI
will pass for the present, in the belle
that the city council will give the matter
a thorough investigation.
Mrs. Underwood was placed unde
arrest, and is kept at the residence o
Marshal Graham pending the arrest O
her husband. Sheriff Cudihee, of Seattle
arrived on the train yesterday, and
while feeling disappointed that his earl
information had not effected the arres
i of the infantlcde, has no doubt of hi
capture. Mrs. Underwood says that he
husband took the child, as he told hel
to put it ont at nurse, and when sh
learned of its death appeared to take
very sorely. While the extreme vout
of the mother, and the fondness she ha
shown the infant, causes some belief j
her tale, yet without the capture of he
husband, the surrounding circumstance
leave her in bad position.
From information received no to tn
morning, Sheriff Cudihee feels confider
OF the early capture of the fugitive. Frol
reliable sources it was learned this morl
ing that Underwood was in Ocost'
Tuesday evening, and had crossed ov(
to Westport, and was probably headir
for the Columbia river. The countl
between Grays Harbora and the Columb
has been fully covered, and his escaI
in tina. direction is pretty well guarde
against.
Sheriff Cudihee and Marshal GRAHAM
left on the train today for Astoria, an
SLar;fc Huff for SOuth Pend and il