Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1909-01-14

On the morning OF Saturday, May
11th, 1907, w. f. Reed. a well known
stockman Of this city, was found brut-
ally murdered upon the lawn Of Mrs.
Miriam Ross, in West Mexico. The
head had been beaten almost into q
pulp by some blunt instrument and
his clothing and gloves cut into shred
by knife. No clue to the assasslns
could be discovered. The body had
been completely looted and nothing re
mained upon his person.
Now comes Ciscera Holt, a resi-
dent Of stephens Store, Callaway
county, at that time an employe Of
the United gtates Packing Company,
this city. who says he Witnessed the
killing from the time the unsuspect-
Ing stockman was struck upon the
head until he was dragged onto the
Ross lawn by the murderers.
The following is Mr.. HoIt's account
Of the murder as he told It recently
to r. p. Key, Of this city. who drives
one OF Swift & Co.'s poultry wagons;
1T was between ten thirty and
eleven o'clock the evening Of Friday,
May 10th, that l was taking walk
| in the southwestern part Of Mexico
that | was passing the Ross resi-
dence was on the east side Of
railroad avenue. walking south At
the time. on the opposite side q
| the street / saw a man walking in
the same direction and behind him
1.-TWO other men.
when the three figures across the
street neared the crossing in front
OF the Brown place, one OF them ad-
yanced cautiously and before could
realize what he intended to do struck
1.-THE unsuspecting man in advance froi
behind and felled him to the ground.
Ii halted in the dark, not knowing what
Ito do and fearful that IL ] were
discovered they might attack me.
"The two men leaned over the pros
Itrate form and after seconds in
Ivestigation picked him up and turn
ling carried him into the Ross Lawn,
II turned and started back toward the
lefty, careful not to make q sound
IThey had gone a short distance only
Iwhen sounds Of a struggle could be
lheard. Evidently the attacked mar
was regaining consciousness.
"The struggle continued for severa
minutes, it seemed to me, though II
Ian probability IT was but few sec
Ionds. The sound Of heavy blows ant
crowns could be plainly heard ant
lthen followed silence. hurried bacl
to town and retired. The next morn
ling | learned Of the murder, but fea
, that these two might meet out to mi
a like end If failed too keep silent
tied my tongue.
"a short time later / went to low
where l remained several months, re
turning home last summer. | wante
to tell, but as / said, fear kept m
silent. From the actions of the mer
their manner of walking and proceed
Z ling during the crime, while under m
) observation. concluded they must /
t white men," NJ
hi The Reed murder mystery was on
/ lof the most mysterious at ths tim
] lever brought to the attention Of th
i State authorities. At mass NEE
t ling held the Monday following th
I killing, $1,000 reward for the murde
d er or murderers was raised, In q she
r time by popular subscription. Tn
d lamount later was raised to $4,000 b
Idl 1.-THE States giving $500 and differeI
g persons subscribing.
al Reed left wife and four childrel
atlreslding on Breckenridge street, tn
d city.
vi Detective Tom Furlong, OF St. Lot
a. one OF the best men Of his profe
D. sion in the State. with other clev'
ldl lyidocqs, was completely baffled
ic 1.-The time. The investigation was co
ltinued for several months. but in q
end proved abortive.