New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-27
ADMITS TRIPLE MURDER
Richard Lee Wanted Money to
Start Housekeeping.
PARENTS OPPOSED MARRIAGE
Young Man Says He Was Not in
Right Mind When he Slew
Father. Mother. Brother.

Evansville. Ind, Aug 1.--William Lee
twenty-five years old, confessed late to-
day that he murdered his father. Richard
Lee; his mother and younger brother,
Clarence, and then SET fire to the house
in the hope Of conceaing the crime at
Boonville. early Thursday morning In
verbal and written statements to Sheriff
Davis Lee said that his motive was
anger because his parents would not
consent to his marriage with Nina Taylor. OF
Newburg, which he had planned for Thurs
day evening. and would not give him
money with which 10 set up housekeeping.
When the confession was made public
officers started with Lee in an automobile
for the state reformatory ar Jehersonville
10 prevent possible violence here
Lee made statement that he had killed
his father in sef-defence with an axe
after his father had murdered his wife
and younger son, but Sheriff Davis all Of
to-day pressed the restless prisoner for
"the true story and this afternoon Lee,
asking for pen and ink. wrote a haltingy
worded confession and afterward pieced
together, in answer to questions. a de-
scription OF the horrible butchery in the
three-room cottage at Boonville.
Lee said thar he went on Wednesday
night to Newburg. where he called on his
fiancee and they talked Of the arrange
ments for their wedding He nsd had 800
in the bank. but had spent II, and he
knew his parents had So in the house. He
returned home late at night and his mother
reprimanded him. he said. He told her he
was determined to be married the following
dav. and she answered that he should not;
that he must stay ar home.
Going to his own room. Lee said, he
"hrooded until he was out Of his mind
Suddenly he rushed Into the room where
his father. mother and brother slept
"I grabbed an axe by the DOOR" he said
land struck for my father. but hit my
mother. Ny brother raised UP and | struck
him Then my father, who had been out
side ran in and started 20 grab me by
the throat I hit him and he fell was
scared so bad that I did not know what
was doing. What scared me was that my
father had threatened my life. and was
angry at what my mother had said
Lee said ne lighted match 10 see what
he had done. and overcome at the sight
dropped .he flaming stick on the bed where
his mothers body lay.
The flames flashed IN and blinded me,
he went on. and ! jumped into my ROOM
put on my trousers and ran 10 alarm the
neighbors. 7 would not have done this
thing for anything II had had any sense
at all"
The fire In the Lee home was put out be-
fore the bodies the skull OF each crushed,
had been more than scorched. and William
Lee stoiidly helped carry them out to the
lawn. insisting that he did not know how
they came 20 their death.
Lee is almost illiterate and has been an
idler since boyhood. according 70 testi-
mony AT the coroners inquest, which
closed to-day at Bonneville. His father, A
pasterer. appeared to fear him and sup
piled him with money. even giving him
fourth share Of the proceeds of the sale of
some property recently
Evidence produced to-day refuted Lees
statement that he went from the house
Immediately after he had started the fire.
A basin. stained with blood in which he
had washed his hands. was found. Long
gray hairs. supposedly his mothers, chung
to the sides OF II.
Hidden behind A door was A basket filed
with dishes. knives and forks and kitchen
utensils. which II IS believed he had
packed with the idea that he would escape
the consequences Of the murders and soon
have his own home. The lives OF his faith
er and brother were insured for 500 and
this would have come to him on their
death and that of his mother