The Oskaloosa herald., 1909-07-01


caught the woman and child just as
they were leaving the yard.
Bringing the weapon which had al
ready accomplished the death of the
father and mother to his shoulder, he
took deliberate aim a. her and fired
ave times.
Holding up his child in her arms
the mother called upon the Infatuated
man to desist, pleading for the sake
OF their former love and that of the
infant babe to go away But he was
obdurate and apparently insane in his
frenzy. M
On her knees the woman begged
that she and her child could be spared
the death which had been melted out
to her parents. Telling him that
enough injury had been done in his
murderous passion, she pleaded for
life for herself and child.
Relenting slightly, informed her that
only on one condition would he spare
her life, and that was by entering the
buggy with him with the child and
fleeing. With no other alternative
but death, and with the Winchester
rife yet pointed at her breast, she
climbed into the buggy, her dress has
tily thrown around the child to pro-
tect 1t from exposure.
Horse Tires Out.
Turning from the scene of his dou-
BILE crime Littlepage drove from the
premises in a westerly direction, urg-
ing the horse to mad gallop. Faster
and faster the pace was urged until
the frantic morse, goaded by the whip
and retarded by the great sea of mud
resulting from the rain, staggered un-
certainly in his efforts. a
The news flew rapidly from farm
house to farmhouse through the rural
telephones and farmers stood in their
front yards awaiting the passing OF
the fiend with loaded saotguns across
their knees. None dared fire, how
ever, as the maniac was ever careful
to keep the sheltering forms of the
wife and babe between himself and
ever ready rifle, he prevented any at
tempt at cutting off his escape from
the front The woman was terrified,
and was heard to scream a, number
of times, but the hand of her captor
quickly placed over her mouth or at
her throat quieted the cries within
her.
A Thrilling Chase.
At Campbell's station Littlepage
was stopped by Deputy Sheriff Thorn
ton. Drawing his revolver and hold
ing his child in front of him the muir
derer threatened to shoot and Thorn
ton by order of Sheriff Ross, allowed
him to go. @-~
On the way back they passed the
farm of Ed Ashworth, where Little
pages brother Ben, is employed.
Stopping his horse, the murderer cali
ed his brother to the road and coolly
informed him that he intended to XIII
himself, his former wife and their
child. He then drove on ana stopped
at the home of Arg Butler, quarter
of a mile from the Wilson farm. Here
Littlepage got out of the buggy and
bidding his wife alight, accompanied
her into the house. Handing Mr.. But
Ter his watch and $40 in money the
murderer warned him not to follow
and hurried from tine house. When
last seen he was going towards the
barn. "
A description of the murderer was
sent broadcast through Iowa by the
police and train dispatchers were re-
quested to telegraph it to all trainmen
on their lines.
Littlepage is described as follows:
Twenty-eight years of age, 6 feet tall,
weight IT'S pounds, light completed,
blue eyes, light hair. smooth shaved
crooked left arm dressed in black
SLOUGH hat and blue oyeralls and car
rying Winchester rife.