The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-01-25
DOUBLE MURDER
AND SUICIDE:

a deer TO the Central Police etltion ana
gave notice 10 Lieutenant Stone OF triple
tragedy.
Tower street being in the Fourth Police
precinct, word was sent to Captain Mar
ston.
Detective Frank p Johnson was the
first on the scene. being quickly followed
by Patrolmen King and Hopkins.
There never was more blind, more
chaotic lead and condition OF things.
There were three bodies and while II
was seh-evident that the man killed the
women and then ended his own life. there
was 40 reason why he should have done
50.
EFFORTS TO SOLVE MYSTERY.
Detective johnson worked hard and so
did Medical Examiper Perkins TO get a
a solution OF the mystery.
That was not forthcoming until DR.. Per-
kins examined the clothing OF the dead
man.
To go back 10 the discovery of the
When the door of that room was opened
there was found beside the bed the body
Of Mrs. Riggs
At the foot OF the bed was the body OF
the wife. and I'm the further corner OF the
room and leaning against door which
led TO the back hallway was the body OF
the man.
was literally bathed in blood a large pool
of which had run upon the carpet and
surrounded her.
Mrs 'Winn" had bled freely but her
face was not blood stained as was that OF
her sister.
Not drop of blood could be seen on or
about "Winn's" body.
There had been nothing disturbed In the
room and that condition OF the apartment
will he explained later.
The women had just entered the
room
Mrs .winny had taken of her hat and
coat and thrown them upon the bed.
Mrs Riggs had placed her cloak on the
bed kept her hat on. and was eating
some article OF food. which appeared 20
be a pork pic which she held in her left
hand.
"winn" han followed the women 10 the
room and had taken of his coat and hat
and placed them on the bed.
WAS PREPARED TO KILL.
Recalling the meeting Of the women and
the men ~ the corner Of Tower street and
Broadway the previous night he had fol-
lowed them TO the house fully prepared TO
kill them and himself
He no doubt shot his wife first. and at
long range, as one bullet had passed
through her right hand In the middle Of
the palm, and one in her left side.
fred at his sister-in-law,
Mrs Riggs received one shot in the
heart and one I'm the centre OF the chest
on a line with the top Of the heart
Stepping closely to the side OF his wife
"Winn" placed the muzzle OF the revolver
up to her clothing and fired.
That bullet went straight thEough her
heart while the powder set fire 20 her
dress. corset and underclothing
Having finished the women "Winn' re-
loaded his revolver and. stepping to the
corner OF the room, placed the muzzle OF
=aeapeH-te=aIs=h and fired two
shots.
HAD ANOTHER WEAPON.
1t was .3s-callbre revolver which he
used and which he had purposely armed
himself as there was found another
fective., which, he had no doubt discarded
as of no use in case Of an emergency.
z In Ave minutes after the first shot was
hred all three had ceased 20 breathe.
"IVinn" as he sank to the floor. died
instantly and 'peaceably. but the women
from. the expressions upon their faces
suffered horribly. although briefly.
MURDERER LEFT LETTER,
The police worked hard 10 unravel the
cause of the ragedy. but until Medical
Examiner Perkins drew from pocket OF
"Winn's" clothing a letter written by the
suicide. there was no lucid explanation.
neither was the actual identity OF the
murderer known.
The letter was in'an envelope. addressed
to Mrs. Fannie Payson, Forest avenue.
Portland. Me- and read as follows:
Providence. r. T.. Jan. 24.
To the Finder
Please telegraph the finding OF these
bodies 10 Charles Riggs. No. Boynton
court Portland Me, and also 20 Mrs
Mary n. Brown, Limerick. Me.
There &. a bank book in tho house con-
I ~ IN bn
City yard in Portland. Me.
Continued on Page TwoD