The Savannah morning news., 1904-07-30
FIVE MURDERED
AND CREMATED
ENTIRE FAMILY WIPED OUT
CHARRED BODIES IN ASHES OF
HOME NEAR STATEsBORO.

Henry Hodges, His Wife and Three
Children SIain-The Murderers
Supposed to Have Dragged the
Bodies of Their Victims Into the
House ana Then Set it ON Fire.
Robbery Believed to Have Been
the Notix e of Murderers.
Statesboro. Ca July 29.-Henry
Hodges and his entire family. his wife.
daughter and two little children. were
murdered in their home about six miles
north of Statesboro last night, the
house was set on fire and the bodies
of the murdered family were cremated.
The first news of the tragedy was re-
ceived here some time before daylight
this morning, when young boy reach
ed Sheriff Hendricks home and report
ed that Mr.. Hodges house had just
burned, and the family was missing. A
lamp had been found on the gate post,
and it was thought probable the family
had gone to a neighbor's.
When the nearby neighbors reached
the fire the roof had fallen in and moth
ing having been seen of the family, it
was feared they might be in the burn
ing house. The messenger left for
Statesboro, however. before anything
further was learned.
Soon after daylight Nell Brannen, a
young man living near Mr.. Hodges,
reached town and reported that the
bodies of the entire family, consisting
OF Mr.. Henry r. Hodges. his wife and
three children. had been found in the
ruins. burned to a crisp. Intense ex-
citement prevailed, and everyone who
owned a conveyance and all the teams
that could be pressed into service were
soon on the. road to the scene of the
tragedy.
There had been a heavy thunder
storm just before night fan. which con-
tinued in Statesboro until about 10
o'clock. and it was thought that light
ming might have struck the Hodges
house, stunned the inmates and set
the house on fire. With daylight this
theory was exploded.
Evidences of Murder.
Pools Of blood were found just out
side the gate. There was blood on
the yard fence. and a hat which be-
Ionged to Mr.. Hodges was found about
thirty yards down lane. There were
signs of scuffiing around the gate. as
we'll as fresh tracks leading to the
house from the gate.
Mr.. Hodges was a stepson of Mr.
II H. Moore and lived about half way
between Mr.. J. ;. Brannen's and Mr. |
MoOre's homes. The neIghbors were
attracted by the light from the burn
ing house. and Mr.. Boss Woodrum |
was the first TO arrive there.
As soon as IL became evident that
there had been foul play the boy was |
sent TO notify Sheriff kendrick- Mr. |
Albert kendrick went out at once. and |
telephone messages were sent for dogs. |
but none could be obtained. except |
one or two that were not well trained. !
With the arrival OF the Dublin train |
a messenger was about to leave FOR /
Savannah to secure dogs but the sher- |
If decided that IN as much as rain !
had fallen on the tracks and large !
crowds would gather about the place |
there would be no use for dogs.
Fumes arising from the burning |
house showed that the bodies were !
within. and every effort was made TO |
get at them. but 10 little purpose. !
When they were got out they were /
charred beyond recognition. The legs /
and arms were burned OF nearly 20 the |
body. and the sxulIs were charred.
Hodges Body Identified.
Mr.. Hodges body was identified by /
his suspender buckle. His body and Il
those Of his wife and eldest daughter i
were found under what was thought 1
70 be the piazza Of the house, and the i
bodies Of the two little children were |
found where the bedstead stood. The /
children. 10 Is believed were killed /
while asleep or were burned 70 death /
in bed.
CONTINUED On FLi.A Pags.