Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-15
TWO CHILDREN MURDERED
Brutal Crime Committed in Outskirts Of
Dss MONIES Sunday Night,
HEADS CRUSHED IN WITH A sRlcKBA1
Police Are ut Work ON crime, Al
though the Murderer Leaves
No Clue 49, co His
" Identity.

DIES MONIES. Ia. April 14.-while re-
turning from Highland Park Methodist
phurch, on tae north outskirts Of the city,
asst evening Mary Peterson, Is years Of
Nge, and Thomas, aged II, children Of Peter
T. Peterson, a well-to-do dairyman, we're
murdered by some unknown person, be-
Iieved 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 were discovered by a farmer who
overheard the means Of the lad. An ex-
animation revealed that both had their
heads crushed in by what is believed TO
have been a brlckbat.
Murderer Leaves No Trace.
The police 80 far are without a clue. The
body of the girl was found at the foot Of a
telephone pole In a ditch two feet deep.
She had been ravished by her assailant.
Her underclothing was badly torn. At the
base OF the head she had been hit with
some hard instrument, resulting in ~fractur-
ing the skull. On the crown OF the head
there were four or five indentations. each
OF which would have proven serious II not
fatal. Not a brick or instrument can be
found within the region where the murders
occurred. The boy who was found in the
ditch on the opposite side Of the road was
most cruelty treated. Full half a dozen
indentations we're made In the skull and
his face also showed evidence of being
pounded. The Peterson family consists OF
seven children. 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 un-
able 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 employed. 1t Is the
impression OF the police 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.
Two Negroes Suspected.
Bloodhounds have been asked for and will
be put on the trail OF the murderers. Gov
ernor Cummins has consented to offer a re-
ward Of $500 for the capture OF the crimi-
nails. The police claim to have two eolored
men under suspicion and announce they
will make an arrest before night. Two COL
ored men were observed to get on the Rock
Island flyer this morning at Maruuisville,
and the chief Of police has telegraphed for
their arrest.
James Hutchins. a dark colored negro 27
years OF age, was arrested this afternoon bv
the police as having some connection with
the murders. He had on the back OF his
coat the imprint OF q bloody hand. He gave
a rambling account Of where he had been
during the night. The imprint Is the only
connection the police claim there is to the
case. .Hy .
A crowd Of several thousand people gath.
cred in front of the city Jail shortly after
the arrest Of Hutchins, and while consid-
cradle wild talk was INDUCED in. no effort
was made to take him from the officers.
Excitement is running high in the city
and talk OF lynching is common.