Evening journal., 1912-11-09
UnYlh1r -rlrxrsr>
IUUNU WIFE
MURDERED;
LEFTTOBURN
Mrs. Gertie Rayne, With Skull
Crushed, Found Before
Flames Reach Her
Body
HUSBAND MAKES
PUBLIC STATEMENT

SALISBURY. Md. Nov. 9.-One Of
.he most horrible murders ever known
On The Eastern shore OF Maryland.
and one that has aroused the lower
part Of this county, was brought to
light yesterday morning at Powells-
Vile. small village near this city.
While passing the residence OF Lam
bert Rayne az o'clock William Jones.
who was on his way to work, noticel
snake pouring from all tie lower
doors and windows of the house and.
running TO the kitchen door broke il
open and found Mrs Rayne lying in
tie middle. OF the noor in a pool OF
blood Dragging her to the door. he
found that she had Teen struck sew
eral timessln the head with what APP
leared TO be blunt instrumnt Her
skull was crushed. Her clothing had
Lcen burned IRON her body, anu The
Aoie over part oil the house was
ense oped in names
Mrs. Rayne was unconscious. but
stlll bicdtEmg She lived about five
minutes after being olnd MIS-.
hayne was alone in the Louss at the
time of the murder. She and her
husband nad laI VIC ent quarrel
over sOme family matters which re-
suited in her leaving home and spend
ilg tle night with a neignbOr LIN
wood LAWS Mr. Rayne. who keeps a
sma store In that viiIage, remained
al the sto:e al night.
l-ou'e in Flames
Yesterday morning Mrs Rayne left
e. o'clock and went TO her uome
Mr. hsyne lett the sore about D
o'clock an startl1 for home. saying
l. had better so and feed the hogs
Viii passing the Davis house, where
LIS wiie had spent the night he no.
tcsd flames ana smoke pouring IRON
is house and called to Mr. Davis who
As In the yard. and told him that h
though b huuse ives en- fire Both
en- stated on run and quick \
clehad the house. 10 find that Mr.
Cones had arrived a Few minutes be
T. re and was . agsing Mrs Rayne Ou
tie barning bui ding to the yard
c c'ed j 81 as her husband arrived
AlrG. Raync was 80 years OF age
vas the diu ghtef ot Mr.. and Mrs
mes Patey who reside i'm that Sc,
On. Wien We ~oung she was mar
cd c Ncah Crouch. of this city. bu
scursd q divorce I'm a few years oi
tie grounds o. cruelty and desertion
ard 2 short time a ter marre ed Mr.
eyne. who i'yed ear her home Sh
lad two Chi drcn by Mr Crouch. hu
. ne ther had lived with her since he
.e.ol q riagc with Rayne. She had ~
G 'ldren by Rayne.
The murder is a mystery No rea
een te thought OF for the crime
Sherih Rcy L. Smith Of this city. wa
summcrci carly ard spent the da
there The village is very small. an
siy mi es from the nearest railroad
Livery one knows every one else. an
10 strangcrs have been seen ther
lrto'y
Quarrel With Husband.
Tie mother of Mrs Rayne. whe
.cld o. the ira gtdy. exclaimed. "Ot
f~-v poor little Gertie' ] thought sn
had had trouble enough in her lif
rii hout thisir and INN mediate'y col
llrsed She vas aced under th
cave O. physicians
In an interview Mr. 'Rayne. VIII
ras almost on the verge of collapse
aid Il seems to me that it S nc
cannot imagine that it is tru
70 orc ever had thing against Gel
lie. She was o a bright and lovln
sisroeition and never did any one an
tarm
Asked about the quarrel on Thurs
sav. he said THAT is what hu ts S
ad. II was only a l't'e family di
terence. but Gertie took il to heart. q
We weIe not used TO having any trol
bic. and thought she Guild not lis
C1 urnffd hat
been all rigb 4 was etry sorry. an
now 10 think that I can never te
Aer how much regret it, He brol
down and was unable to say any NOR
ater he said that he would run q
, murderer to the earth Of he had
work all his life 10 do H.
A coroner inquest was held and
81 verdict of death at the hands OF son
4 unknown person or persons was re
te'ed.
Sheriff Smith returned from Il
scene of the murder late last mig
with y, Davis. of that tow
I whom he had arrested on the tes
4 mon OF a small boy. who claimed. la
Yesterday afternoon that he had SCI
Davis leaving the house al an ear
hour yesterday morning. Davis W
given a hearing before Justice of Z
Peace John P wilkins. OF that tow
who held him without bail TO aDpe
before the next TEN Of the Circi
h Court. He was lodgel in jail here.
Davis refused to talk. except
deny his guilt and sy that he W
feturning from a RABBIT hunt and h
not been to the housa AT all. T
ocy persisted in his story that he b
seen Davis leave the ouse. and
amount of cross luestnping cou