The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-12-15
SLAYER OF FOUR IS
BEING TRA|LED BY
BLOODHOUNDS
Farmland Sought for Shocking
Crime Near Albany
FOURTH BODY FOUND
italian Charged With Murder Of En-
tire Family May Have Been In
Pittsfield

Albany. Dec. IA general alarm
has been sent to the police in all the
large cities of the country for the ar
rest of Edward Donate, a farm hand,
whose sudden disappearance leads 10
the belief he may know something oil
how Mrs. Conrad Morner, her son.
Arthur and daughters, Edith and
Blanche, met their death. The bod
les of three of the victims were found
on Wednesday evening in the farm
near Defreestville buried in a refuse
Dit under the barn floor. The body OF
Arthur was later discovered in
drainage well. The bodies were ter
ribly mutilated, the murderer having
welded balestick and a Ratchet
which we're found on the barn floor
Eloodhounrs are on the trail OF the
murderer TheX were taken to the
scene Of the murder by Sheriff Cot
trell and after circling the barn sew
eral times they started off toward the
east. the Sheriff following in an au-
tomobile. The speed with which the
dogs travelled showed the trail was
fresh, and ii was believed that the
fugitive would be caught soon unless
he boarded a train or car
The crime was committed Tuesday
afternoon, according to physicians
who examined the bodies. Donate IS
known to have been in his room that
night, for a light was seen in his
window until the night was well
spent.
The police believe that the slayer
had fancied grievance against the
Morners and that the young man was
killed first, the women being attack
ed separately. John Morris, Rens-
selaer grocer. is positive in his be
lief that Arthur drove past his store
about o'clock, Tuesday afternoon.
The women had been In the habit OF
assisting in milking the cows, and
some believe that one OF the girls
was attacked as she entered the
barn. Arthur Morner's watch had
stopped at o'clock
Donate is described as being very
dark, FIVE feet six inches in height,
and Weighing about 12O pounds He
is said to be good looking, with rath-
or prominent dark eyes When last
| seen he wore a brownstriped suit and
a long oyercoat,
So far as could be learned robbery
was not one Of the incentives for the
crime.
When put on the trail yesterday
the bloodhounds took up the trail i'm
mediately and followed It along the
hard, dirt road to West Sand Lake
where they stopped at the trolly
tracks OF the New England railway
company Here il is supposed the
man boarded a car and went to Troy
The sheriff and his men returned tc
Troy disheartened by the loss of thC
scent, but their hopes were raised
again by word from the Hudson chic
of police. who said that one OF his OF
ficers talked with the man at o.
clock Wednesday morning.
An investigation was made and OF
iicer Martin OF Hudson said that h,
met the Italian. whose eyes wer,
bloodshot and who seemed nervous
and talked with him. The officer say.
he has known him for two years. Tn,
description Tailed with that OF IN,
missing man which was not sent ou
until Wednesday night, even to N,
striped suit and overcoat which h,
wore when last seen. officer Martr
says the man asked how soon /,
could get train FOR Pittsheld an,
when told IL would be a few hours D..
said he would 20 to see friend IL
Hudson. At the friends house N,
police learned that Donate, II IL wa.
he, left his overcoat, but dlsappeare,
from The city.
The police OF Pittsheld were mott
lcd Immediately but late last nigh
had been unable to find the suspect
One Of Sheriff Cottrelrs men and IN.
Hudson officer will 10 there today I,
aid In the search An autopsy per
formed upon the bodies OF the muir
dered woman and girls yestorda,
disclosed. the coroner and physician
assert. that the youngest girl
Blanche. had been assaulted. Thu
the police say, was the motive for n,
quadruplo crime.