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 tho Last Days or
His Little Brother
and Sister

Va tho AJ9bt IA
His Little Brother
and Sister.
Officers Kenny and Hennessy, of
E izabeth, heard three shots in the
house Of Joseph NJ. Pouch, No. 139
First avenue, Roselle, when they rang
the bell Tuesday evening to find what
was meant by n 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
bullet wound through her body, and
beside her Albert. her brother, ten
years old, bleeding from 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 a benchman, but
after the death of his wife he had
only worked but short time. He
grew morose and his mind seemed
ready to give way under the burden.
He did not refer to the death of his
wife, bit Whenever it was mentioned
he became excited and afterward
would go away by himself and sit for
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 lie sent her
away. Since that time Pouch has been
in the house alone with his children,
and the neighbors on either side of his
house, which is a 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 his
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.
tte says that Pouch appeared herrous
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 their
beds.
1t is believed they were held over to
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 to
the address given as there was some
thing for him To do there. The letter
was signed by Pouch, who gave his
address.
Pouch was not seen around his home
after he went out, returning in short
while Tuesday morning. 1t Is probable
that with he, with revolver ready and
children locked In the room with him,
waited for the ring at the bell which
would announce the arriva' Of the
County Physician as the signal for kill
irg his two remaining childlen.
Albert, the eldest, has bullet hole
through his body, but the physicians
at the Elizabeth General Hos. pital say
that he has chance to live. He was
conscious when taken to the hospital,
and told what he knew Of the tragedy
which robbed him IF his sisters and
father. He was not asked about the
death OF his mother, but probably can
throw light on that If he recovers
sufficiently to tell in detail OF the
tragic events in his home.
My sister Minnie and myself sleep
in the front room with papa, and Lii
lan and baby Grace sleep In the back
room," he said The door Is open
between the two rooms at night, and
we can hear the baby or Lillian wher
they cry or want anything. On Sat
urday night papa told us to 80 to bed
and don't know what time he came
to bed.
"On Sunday morning he got uI
iirst, and went into the back room
lie shut the door and was gone quite
a long time. When he came bacl
into the front room he locked th'
door between the two rooms and sait
that Minnie and myself must remain
In bed until he told us we could ge
; up. He stayed in the room awhil
and then went out.
He locked us in the front room ant
went out. We were afraid to get on
, OF bed after he told US to stay there
G He came in and out lots Of times, bu
9 never seemed to pay any attention t
+ us. Minnie was hungry, and so was
q Finally Minnie started to cry, an
y papa seemed to remember us and go
, us something to eat. When it wa
: dark he told we had better go to SLEEP
and then he wrote a letter. He wa
o still in the room when | went t
# sleep.
II This morning the door betwee
the two rooms was locked and we ha
to stay in bed until after papa ha
gone out. He came back SoCr
|. though, and then told us we coul
0 get up and dress. lie walked up an
s down the room, looking at us all tn
X time, and neither Minnie nor myse
d said anything, because we wei
,, afraid. We didn't hear any soun