Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-11-25
AWFUL CRIME IN |UXA
Mother and Five Children Slain
In Their Home Near
Independence
THE HUSBAND UNDER ARREST
Bodies Of the Mother and Children
Found in Kitchen Of the Home With
Their Heads Beaten in With Ham
ner-Discovered by a MiIkman-
iowa News.
special to Times- Republican.

= - q = L f Z
Special to Time.- Republican.
Independence, Nov. 25.-McWilliams
was calm and undisturbed when taxi
On to the undertaking rooms this
morning, to view the dead. He said
he could not wish them back, but
knew nothing of the crime. The in
quest was set for Monday morning.
Bloody clothing belonging to McWil-
Hams, was found at the farm this
morning. The theory is that the crime
was committed Wednesday night
independence, Ia, Nov. 25.-Mrs
William McWilliams and her five chill
dren were found last evening MUIR
dered In the kitchen of their farm home
six miles south Of Independence. Their
skulls had all been crushed with q
carpenters hammer, while; their bodies
were literally butchered with large
knife. The husband and father, Will,
liam McWiqlia1ns, was arrested here
last night and there is every evidence
that he was the perpetrator OF the hor-
rtble crime. Opinion Is divided as to
whether he is insane, or whether he
kllAea his family out OF murderous NAL
ice.
Never before have the criminal an-
mails Of this section Of the state borne
the record IT SO brutal g. murder The
victims haG evidently been called one
at time into the kitchen, where the
bodies were found all In row, and
struck with hammer, not once, but
many. times, until dead. Then the mur-
derer hacked and stabbed at each hfes
less body until 1t was horribly mutt
lated. The mother apparently had been
at work preparing dinner when she met
her fate, for when the murder was dis
covered a meal was still on the stove
cooking, and there were other, evil
dences Of the interrupted preparation
of meal. The oldest child, q son Is
years OF age, had evidently been called
from . corn field near by, for, as he
lay on the floor, he had on a pair OF
husking gloves and he was otherwise
attired for work. The babe Of the fam
lily; httle tot not more than two or
three years old, had been called in from
Its play, for 1t wore its cap and NIT
tens and 1t had in Its lifeless hands a
piece OF bread and butter; one blow
had sufficed for it,and then the in11u. ]
man fend placed IT'S lifeless body In
the arms OF its mother. The only evi-
dence OF a. struggle was found in the
death OF the Oldest daughter OF the
household, young girl OF is; her
SHoy u.s. Hrr5 s.
had grasped the murderer's knife in
her fight for life. The other two chill
ldren were about 10 and years old
respectively.
Discovered by Milkman.
The crime was first discovered by
nilkman named Saunders, who regu-
larly visits the McWilliams home ev-
cry other day. He called at about ?
O'clock Friday afternoon to get his
usual amount OF milk, but found no
one about the premises. He walked
to the kitchen, looked in and there
saw the six bodies ina row. He hast
ered away to give the alarm and off
GERS at once started for the scene Of |
the crime. They found McWilliams |
nowhere about the house or premises, |
but they discovered an abandoned suit
Of clothes OF his which was badly |
besmeared with human blood. The,
extended their search for him and last
evening located him in Independence.
when he was taken into custody.
Denies Guilt.
NcWilliams thus far has denied his
guilt, but the evidence against him ,s
strong. For the past two days and
nights he has been in Independence
staying with relatives, something un-
usual for him. for he visited town only
when necessary to get provisions. Yes
terday morning he went home and he
was not seen again until yesterday |
afternoon. While on his way to Inde-
pendence McWilliams met q mail car
rier, whom he told that his family had
been murdered and that he was on his
way to notify the officers. Then Nc
Williams followed circuitous way In I
to Independence, arriving here only late |
IN the afternoon. He claims that when
he returned home he discovered his
family dead.
McWllliams has for some years been
considered q peculiar man, especially
since he suffered sunstroke about
two years ago. He has been sullen
and rettcent, having little to do with
his neighbors, and at times displaying
an ugly disposition.