The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-11
EIGHT MURDERED
WHILE SLEEPING
Entire Family and Guests Arc
Slain in Their
Beds.
NO CLUE TO THE BUTCHER
Bloody Finger Prints All the
Police Have to Work
Upon.

Villisca. Ia, June lo.-Eight bodies
all mutilated almost beyond recog-
nition-were found murdered IN the
home to-day of Joseph b. Moore. a
prominent business man OF this place
The dead:
Joseph II. Moore md wife; Herman
Moore, ased eleven, Catherine Moore.
aged nine: Boyd Moore, nged seven,
Paul Moore, aged six, Lena and Ina
SpiIlinger. nged fifteen md nine re-
spectively.
The bodies of all, with their heads
terribly mashed with an axe, were
found murdered in their beds There
is no definite clue to the murderer. al
though the authorities are searching
for 4 suspect. a desire for revenge
Is believed to have prompted the muir
der.
Only one of the bodies showed In
dications OF a struggle. One OF the
Spillinger girls lay with one arm
thrown out as II she had awakened
and tried to ward off the murderer's
blow.
a lighted kerosene lamp was found
on the floor in the middle Of the room
occupied by Mr.. and Mrs. Moore.
The only clue to the slayer so far
different parts OF the house. Inquiry
has convinced the authorities that no
other visitor was at the Moore home
last night up to the time the family
retired
No Outcry Heard.
The house stands among a number
of residences, but none of the neigh
bors heard an outcry last night.
The crime Is battling the authorities.
who have been unable to secure a
trace Of the murderer. and have little
or no clue 20 his identity. 1t is APP
parent the murderer had a key to n
door of the mouse. because nil doors
and windows were found locked.
The first intimation of the crime
came when clerk in the implement
house of Mr.. Moore went to MIR.
Moore's home TO find what delayed
him In reaching his place Of business
to-day. Finding the house locked. the
window shades all drawn and no ono
about. he notified the neighbors, ar1
; with assistance forced all entrance.
The dead. with one exception. were
found in their beds. apparently sleep
ing and until the wounds on their
heads and the blood on the pillows
| was discovered, the searchcrs could
not believe anything was wrong in the
house, 4 bloody axe with hair and
pieces of brain clinginE TO 1t. obvious
~ the implement used IN the wholesale
murder. later was found In an upstairs
room Mr.. and Mrs Moore We're in
one bed. IN another were two OF the
boys The sister. occupied n third. and
the youngest hoy was alone In a small
bed The bedding had nowhere been
disarranged.
The Spillinger girls. who were over
right guests. occupied Il room in an
! other part of the house. Absence OF a
clue to the slaycr's identity and the
difficulty OF imputing a motive for
the slaughter of an entire household
have left the authorities half dazed.
Blood Stains Only Clue.
Blood stains. including finger prints
on the front door knob and on the
wood work. are the only clues the Of
fcers have to work upon.
militia company is patrolling the
section OF the city near the Moore
home until bloodhounds can be put
upon the trail.
The bodies Will not be- removed until
coroners jury has examined them.
News OF the crime travelled fast. and
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