The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-14
TWO MURDERED.
Girl and Boy Found Dead by the
Roadside.

Des Moines, Ia, April 14.-While re-
turning from Highland Park Methodist
church on the north outskirts of the
city last evening Mary Peterson, fifteen
years of age and Thomas, aged eleven,
children Of Peter J. Peterson, a well to
do dairyman, were murdered by some
unknown person, believed to be a negro.
The boy when found at midnight was
alive but died within fifteen minutes,
not being able to give a description of
his assailant. The children each Sunday
went to the Highland Park church,
usually attending the evening service.
In going they passed along what is
known as the county road which leads
to the county hospital The bodies We're
discovered by farmer who overheard
the means of the lad. An examination
revealed that both had their heads
crushed in by what is believed to have
been aTbrickbat. The entire police force
is working on the case and the belief is
expressed that the crime was commit
ted by negro.
The police so far are without clew
The body Of the girl was found at the
foot of telephone pole in a ditch two
feet deep. She had been eriminaIIy as
saulted by her assailant. Her under
clothing was badly torn. At the base
of the head she had been hit with some
hard instrument resulting in fracturing
the skull. On the cTown of the head
there were four or five indentations, all
Of which would have proven serious if
not fatal. Not brick or an instrument
can be found within the region where
found in the ditch on the opposite side
of the road was most cruelty treated.
Full half a dozen indentatiOns were
made in the skull and his face also
showed evidence of being pounded. Tsle
Peterson family consists of seven chill
dren, four girls and three boys. Two of
the girls now living declare that a week
ago they were chased at the same spot
by a man on their return during the
evening from Highland Park. They are
unable to give a description of the man.
Not far from the scene of the murder
are the MarQuisVille coal mines in which
some 200 colored coal miners are en-
ployed. 1t is the impression of the po-
lice that the murderer was a resident of
Marquisville. The tracks of two men
have been found leading from the scene
and were followed by the police but they
soon led into.a path where all trace was
lost
Bloodhounds have been ordered and
viii be put on the trail of the murder
ers. Governor Cummins has consented
to offer a reward of $500 for the capture
of the criminals. The police claim to
have two colored men under suspicion
and announce they win make an arrest
before night. Two colored men were
observed to get on the Rock Island flyer
this morning at MarquisVille and the
chief of police has telegraphed for their
arrest.
James Hutchins, a negro 27 years of
age, was arrested this afternoon by the
police as having some connection with
the murders. He had on the back OF
his coat the imprint of a bloody hand.
He gave a rambling account of where
he had been during the night. The inn
print is the only connection the police
claim there is to the case.
A crowd of several hundred people
gathered in front of the city Jail short
ly after the arrest of Hutchins and
while cOnsidera BILE wild talk was in
dulged in. no effort was made to take
him from the officers. Excitem ent' is
running high in the city and talk of
lynching is common.