The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-04-16

From Sundays edition, April II:
A horrible crime was perpetrated dur
ing Friday might, or rather after mid
night, perhaps between 3 and 4 o'clocl
Saturday morning, in a home where {
number Of people resided, in a two
story dwelling at the corner of Crockett
and Common streets, where the neigh
bors' houses are within easy touch, in
we may say, the very heart of the city.
It was not until about 5 o'clock or {
little later that the crime was discovered
by the cook, Mary Wells, and the house,
maid, Jennie Stems, who came as
usual to begin their work of ths
day. AS the kitchen door was reached
there was startling footprint in blood
and when the door leading into the
room of the victim was opened there
was gllastly scene which shocked in
expressibly the cook, who with the maid
raised the alarm, when the household
were awakened as well as the near
neighbors.
It was shocking discovery, which
chilled the blood and for a moment was
indescribably startling. In giving the
details Of the crime no sensational,
imaginary picture or words can add to
its horrorS 1t is crime which is most
revolving, the murder of woman,
killed IN her own room, on her bed, aud
the assault which may terminate fatally
to the little daughter Aline, aged about
10 years, who slept beside her mother.
The victim In this instance was Mrs.
Frank Matthews, who kept first class
boarding house at which she acconmo-
dated with meals every day about thirty
FIVE people, married and single. The
first floor of this house consists of a
hallway in which there is al piano and
several pieces of furniture Adjoining
The hall is a spacious apartment which
was converted into dining room, and
n the rear is room whose back door
opens directly into the kitchen The
rooms on thessecond floor were occupied
oy number of well known people,
among whom was Mr. Fl. F. Doll, Jr.,
who but recently married daughter of
Mrs. Matthews, and Miss Patty Mat
news, daughter, and Porter Matthews,
ler son, a young man aged 81 years,
who is a salesman at Kaufnan's book
store. From the kitchen an exit by side
ioor leads into the yard, where there is
j Woodshed, and nearby is a pile where
here has been coal and wood, and at
which an ak was left. A small gate leads
nto the alley from the yard.
What was the motive Of the crime?
The police authorities, the sheriff and
lis deputies and men who have assisted
q ferreting crime are baff1ed. The best
rained dog was brought to the scene to
axe the trail, but this sagacious animal
allied after repeated attempts to follow
he trail, which was lost with others
Who had treaded in the path of the muir
ierer.
What was the motive? 1t was in otr
opinion robbery and nothing more, al
hough there has been aseribed another
Motive, the thought of which is blood
:urdling
Our theory is that the murderer con-
enp1ated robbery. As he came through
he alley and stepped into the yard by
he gate he saw the ak conveniently at
and He seized it and walked on
Trough the kitchen. through the door
Fay against which there rested a piece
f stove wood as prop to keep this
loor from closing Without DEPRESSING
may be said that before retiring for
be night Mrs Matthews had stated that
be intended to leave rat poison in the
itellen with which to kill rats, and ii is
easonable to assume that she left the
itchen door opened with the prop Of
1ood against il. However, through the
pening the intruder reached the kitch-
4, and By turning to the right he was
the door leading to the room OF Mrs.
Iafthexs. Asthere are no indications
bout this door of its, having been forced
pen, the natural inference is that it was
alocked. In this door was the key with
e handle on the inside. This door be-
e opened the intruder had easy access
ltostias reona but as he entered Mrs.
IatflleWs was probably awakened, when
struck her blow when there fol
'sa'ea 1 brief Struggle darirsg which She
,ssla 1llaxs no otlteE ard tlssrirsg