The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-06-17
A .DEAIENTED FATHER
Murdered Three of His Children and
Then Killed Himself.
FAMILY NEARLY WIPED OUT.
A Little Boy, the Sole Survivor
Tells Of the Last Days OF
His Little Brothec
aud Sister.

tells or the Last Days OF
His Little Brothec
aud Sister.
Officers Kenny and Hennessy, OF
E izabeth, heard three shots in the
house Of Joseph NJ. Pouch, No. 13e
First avenue, Roselle, when they rang
the bell Tuesday evening to find what
was meant by a letter sent to County
Physician Westcott by Pouch.
The front door was locked and the
officers forced it in. When they reach
ed the top of the stairs and pulled
open the door to the front room on the
second floor, the b dy of Pouch fell to
the floor. There was bullet wound
in his temple and he died soon. On
the floor beside him lay his daughter,
Minnie, five years old, deal from a
bullet wound through her body, and
beside her Albert, her brother, ten
years old, bleeding from a wound in
his side, but not fatally injured.
The door to the connecting back
room was forced open, and the officers
found lying on the bed, laid out in
their night clothes, with their hands
crossed over their breast, the bodies
of Grace, eighteen months old, and
Lillian, aged seven. These children
had been choked to death Saturday
night, and to make their death sure
poison had been poured into their
thrOatS.
Pouch had been working for the
Singer Sewing Machine Company at
Elizabethport as benchman, but
after the death Of his wife he had
only worked but short time. He
grew morose and his mind seemed
ready tc give way under the burden
He did not refer to the death of his
wife, but whenever it was mentioned
he became excited and afterward
would 90 away By himself and sit fol
hours without uttering word.
Pouch employed housekeeper after
the death Of his wife, as the children
were too young to be left at home
alone while he was at work. Several
days ago she left the home of Pouch
and it is believed that be sent hel
away. Since that time Pouch has been
in the house alone with his children
and the neighbors Oh either side of his
house, which is two story and attic,
did not see any of the children Sun.
day.
Sunday evening Pouch was seen
talking to a woman In front of bis
house. Later, when storm came up,
Mr.. Packard, OF Elizabeth, who knew
Pouch, sought shelter at his house
He remained for about half an hour.
tHe says tnat Pouch appoared -norrou:
and unstrung and he believes that
Baby Grace and Lillian then were
dead in the upstairs room with their
brother and sister locked in the ad
joining room, forbidden TO leave theil
beds.
1t is believed they were held over te
be shot, when Pouch had planned tC
take his own life.
The letter to County Physician
Westcott was received by him Tuesday
afternoon, and was mailed in the
morning. 1t was properly addressed
and simply requested that he come tx
the address given as there was some
thing for him to do there. The letter
was signed by Pouch, who gave his
address.
| OuSh WAC iiOO oSSL aiOah0 Lilo AAoLlS
after he went out, returning in short
while Tuesday morning. 1t Is probable
that with he, with revolver ready anc
children locked in the room with him
waited for the ring at the bell which
would announce the arrval OF the
County Physician as the signal for xii
ing his two remaining children.
Albert, the eldest, has bullet hole
through his body, but the physicians
at the Elizabeth General Hos pital say
that he has a chance to live. He was
conscious when taken to the hospital
and told what he knew Of the tragedy
which robbed him Of his sisters and
father. He was not asked about tht
death Of his mother, but probably Car
throw light on that If he recover.
sufficiently to tell in detail OF tht
tragic events in his home.
My sister Minnie and myself slcel
in the front room with papa, and Lii
liam and baby Grace sleep in the bacl
room," he said. The door is opel
between the two rooms at night, ant
we can hear the baby or Lillian wheI
they cry or want anything. On Sat
urday night papa told us to go to bed
.. and | don't know what time he cam
to bed.
"On Sunday morning he got u
first, and went into the back room
He shut the door and was gone quit
Il long time. When he came bacl
into the front room he locked tn
door between the two rooms and sal
: that Minnie and myself must remain
In bed until he told US we could ge
: up. He stayed in the room awhl
and then went out.
r He locked us in the front room an
t, went out. We we're afraid to get on
, OF bed after he told us to stay there
He came in and out lots Of times, bu
G never seemed to pay any attention
f US. Minnie was hungry, and so was
o Finally Minnie started to cry, an
y papa seemed to remember us and &c
n n us something to eat When it wa
+ dark ne told we had better go to seeI
). and then he wrote letter. He wa
. still in the room when l went t
# sleep.
!, This morning the door betwee
the two rooms was locked and we ha
to stay in bed until after papa Ia