The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-28
AN AWFUL CRIME.
A Father, Crazed With Whiskey,
Kills Els Three Children.
ARRESTED AND LOCKED IN JAIL.
One Of the Most Fiendish Acts
Ever Committed in the
Good O!G State OF North
Carolina.

Transformed in monster after a
weeks debauon, DR.. J. V. Jay, d
physician OF prominence IN the north
ern part Of Buncombe county, \. c.,
Saturday week drove his wife from
home, brutally murdered his three
children, and attempted TO burn down
his house. The man became violent
Friday night, and after going home
terribly abused his wife. Mrs. Jay
had put the children to bed, and was
endeavoring to quiet ! er husband,
when the man attacked her and drove
her out Of the house. She went to
the home of Thomas Dillingham;, not
far from where she lived, and there
spent the night. Returning to her
home next morning she found her hu>-
band in a dangerous mood. The man
was even worse than before. Jay was
continually looking for his pistol,
threatening to e2terminate!Ahe whole
family. Mrs. Jay, however, had taken
possession Of the revolver and hidden
it from her husband. During the
time that Jay was searching for the
pistol, Mrs. Jay was engaged in pre-
pairing the morning meal. at inter
walls assisting the children to dress.
When the children had been dressed
and Mrs. Jay had hnally finished get
ting breakfast, the brute had worked
himself into a frenzieG mood. Fail
ing in his search for the pistol be had
armed himself with claw hammer,
and with this chased Mrs. Jay around
the house. The frightened wife, feel
ing that her own life and the lives OF
her children were in danger, went out
OF the front door and started for the
little grocery, where there was a tele-
phone to ask the neighborS for aid,
ana to notify the officers at Asheville.
AS she reached the ROAD she turned
and saw her three children standing
on the top step crying, and begging
for ner return. The mother stood for
moment in helpless agony, knowing
that the lives Of her children were in
danger, and knowing also that she
was of her own strength powerlesS to
shield and protect them. Her inoecis-
ion was Of but a seconds duration.
Steeling her heart to the cries Of her
little ones, she turned and ran with
all speed possible for the store. There
she hastily told the story of the Chill
dren's peril, and accompanied by sew
eral men who chanced TO be at the
place, hastened back to her home.
The mother had been gone but a few
moments, but in that brief space the
demon had done his work, and as she
entered her home a sight met her
eyes such as words Of no language can
describe. Lying upon the porch with
the blood oozing from their beads lay
her three children. The Two oldest
were already dead, while the baby was
barely breathing. The men who had
accompanied Mrs. Jay tenderly gath
cred up the little lifeless bodies to
place them in the house, but the door
was fastened and Jay was called upon
to open the door. This be refused to
do, and declared be would Kill the first
one who entered. IJwas then thought
that be had found the pistol and had
FABRICATED himself in the room, and
that death awaited the first one who
entered.
Bnt this was not so. The man at
that moment was preparing for self
destruction. Without waiting an
other moment the men burst in the
door, and as it swung open, instead OF
the crack of a pistol, the men were
greeted with Hello boys, come in, |
am just starting fire to get warm
BY" Jay was found standing over
quantity Of burning clothing that be
had gathered and placed on the floor
near the fireplace. The men rushed
upon him and succeeded in exJinguish-
ing the flames. The man was slight
ly burned, but not seriously. HIS
clothing was covered with the blood
of his children, as were his face and
hands. Sheriff Reed was telephoned
for, and the man was held until the
sheriff arrived. Upon receiving word
Of the horrible tragedy Saturday
morning Sheriff Reed at once notified
Coroner Hemphill, aud they left for
Barpardsville. Sheriff Reed returned
to Asheyille before dark with bis prlS-
oner who appeared to only bali reallze
the terrible deed he had committed.
He is now in jail. When asked why
be had killed his children DR.. Jay said
he Just could not help it after catch
ing sight of their blood. All Ashe-
vile is shocked by the tragedy. Dr.
Jaw is brother Of W. \. Jay, who for
many years held position as deputy
clerk in the office Of register deeds.