The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-10
Man Suspected of SIay-
ing Sister Said to Be
Near Scene of
Murder.
Maryland Citizens in
High State of Excite
ment Following the
AtroCiOuS Crime.

HAGERSTOWN, Nd. Feb. I0-Sherif
Myer and a posse Of enraged citizens
are securing the mountains contiguous
TO HagerstOwn and Frederick today. de-
termined TO apprehend Thomas Nc
Pherson, who is wanted, accused OF the
most atrOclOus crime ever committed in
this vicinity.
Il is reported that the man. who
hacked the body Of his sister, Mrs. Jane
Bowers, into shreds, is camping alone
on mountain top near the scene Of the
crime.
Today the bloody axe belonging to
Mrs. Bowers and with which she was.
1t IS alleged, butchered by her brother,
was found near the scene Of the murder
and turned ever 70 States Attorney
Willard The weapon viii be used as
evidence against Mcpherson should be
iall into the hands OF the authorities.
Fiendish Crime e
The murder Of Mrs. Bowers. who was
about ffty-two years old, was one Of
the most hendish ever perpetrated in a
Maryland community. Not content
with batterlng in her skull and face, the
heartless and inhuman murderer chop
ped her limbs from the trunk OF her
Body, severed her arms, caved in her
chest. and inflicted a score Of wounds
about the limbs and torso with the
blade Of the Ak.
Mrs. Bowers mutilated body was
found about 200 yards from her house
lying in the snow. Two log draggers
who were in the party which came upon
the body Saturday afternoon, were so
slckened at sight Of the butchered body
that they were too unnerved to resume
their labOrs.
Search for Murderer.
A party of log dregEers Immediately
reported the finding OF the body TO
Sheriff Myer and joined IN the search
for the murderer. Three days search,
however. finds the authorities as empty
handed as when the crime was first
brought 70 their attention.
Mcpherson, who IS said to- have been
unemployed, is believed 10 have lin
his sister because she refused TO give
him more money with which to pur-
chase whisky.
1t is said he seldom went near her
lonely hut except to get money.
States Attorney Willard says the AK
has been identified as Mrs. Bowers
property. Before IL was found a shCrt
distance from where Mrs. Bowers was
slain, the ak was last seen In her wood
shed. It is believed Mrs. Bowers was
en- route to the home Of a friend Friday
slaughtered. Her body was so mangled
under the mUrderer's ak that her must
Intimate friends recognized y W'tH dit
teulty.
Murder for Revenge.
In the pocket Of her coat a s. bill and
come change was found. This. it is be-
Ileved, goes to bear out States Attor-
ney Wizards theory that the murder
was committed not for robbery but for
revenge by the WOman's brother.
At a COTOner's inquest the unnerved
Jurors turned from the uluulated body
and after an hours investigation gave
q verdict that the woman. came TO her
death at the hands of some one un-
known to the jury.
The maugled portions Of the body
were inferred near Pleasant Walk yes
If Mcpherson Is not apprehended with
IN the next few DAYS q reward will be
offered for his capture and Baltimore
detectives may be asked 10 assist in
the search.
1t is the intention of Sheriff Myer to
surround the mountain near FunktOWn
and SmOketOwn and close in on the sus-
pCCtcd murGerer's lair.
Thomas Mcpherson Sought.
Descriptions Of Thomas Mcpherson
have been sent TO all towns. villages
and cities IN Maryland. and the wash
ington authorities have also been asked
to aid IN the search for the supposed
brOtheC-murderer. The authorities or
Washington and Frederick districts are
keeping on the trail Of the former bar
tender, because they believe he is the
man who hacked his sister 70 death
Mcpherson, who formerly drove en
omnibus and tended bar in q saloon IN
der Antietam Hail. had not been seen
around HagerstOwn since Christmas an
I'll he went to Mrs. Bowers home TO
reCuperate from an Illness. Since her
horribly butchered body was found near
iy frozen in the public highway, the
brother, who is fifty-five years old, has
not been seen or heard OF by friends.
Seen at Cottage.
Mcpherson is the last person seen in
Mrs. Bowers lonely little cottage at
Pleasant Walk. She owned consider
able property. and IL is said she had
some money saved. but this has not
been found since the murder was dis
covered
Adam Speaks. of Hagerstown. whose
vile IS an aunt Of the slain woman and
suspected man, says Mrs Bowers neice
stcently visited her. and says she
learned that jealous neighbors had made
threats against her. The authorities
place little credence in this ESTcrt but
are investigating IL for ali It is worth.
Speaks says the only circumstance un-
der which he could imagine Mcpherson
committing the crime would be for the
latter TO be insane. Throughout thirty
years acquaiutanceship. however. he do
clares he has seen no signs Of insanity
IN Mcpherson.
SherifT Myers and his deputy. Who
have secured the county since the butch
cred body was found, returned 10 Ha-
gerstown early this morning. Blood
hounds probably will be Dus on the trail
OF The murderer. An inquest will be
held this afternoon or tomorrow morn
Ing.
The tragedy has shocked the entire
neighborhOod and residents are in
cs.~s% Il