Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-06-11
EIGHT ARE SLAIN
AS THEY SLEEP IN
HOME AT V|LL|SCA
J. B. Moore, Wife and Four Chill
dren, With Two Guests,
Victims.
THE SLAYER USED AN Ak
Heads Of Entire Family Are Crush
ed Almost Beyond
Recognition.

Villiscs, Ia, June 11.-Thousands
of Montgomery county residents
were in villisca at 9:20 o'clock
last night when two bloodhounds
took up the possible trail of the
murder of the J. B. Moore family
and the two daughters Of Joseph
Stillinger. In less than five min
utes after the dogs were taken to
the scene of the crime they made a
break for the door of the house.
Since that time they have been tug
ging on the chains of the men, fol-
lowing them. The trail led to the
timber lands at the forks of the
west and middle Nodaway rivers, of
the town.
When o. E. Jackson, sheriff Of
Montgomery county, arrived here
at noon yesterday he ordered the
Moore home closed to all persons.
Up to that time only a few persons
had been permitted to view the bod
les OF the eight murdered persons,
as the city marshal believed it best
to keep the place clear of visitors.
A guard of citizens was stationed
near the house.
At 6 o'clock last night Company
B Of the state militia was called out
to keep the curious from the place.
A strict guard was kept four blocks
from the house. No one was allow
ed inside the dead line. The streets
along the line were crowded with
persons anxious to learn something
new Of the crime. Everyone was
talking about it and each had diff
ferent version of the possible mean
ing Of 1t.
The arrival OF bloodhounds from
Beatrice, Neb., was anxiously await
ed They came on the scheduled
train. Sheriff Jackson piloted the
crowd to the house at once. The
dogs were taken in at the front
door. In a few minutes after they
had been given chance to smell
the handle of an ak used by the
murderer they came out the front
door, turned around the porch and
took northerly direction to Second
street. They followed this path to
First avenue, then they went south
on First avenue to the John Green
farm. From this farm they adj
-Eanced southwest to the Nelson
farm. Then they took to the river
and followed it to the forks of the
two rivers.
Vilisca has not yet reached a So
luton OF the mystery. One man
that 1t was felt might be responsibleI
is said not to have been here for
more than thirteen years. A man
who has known this person init
matsly says that he cannot believed
him to be the guilty one. Some
think that maniac is to blame.
Z Unrest reigned here last night.
The streets were crowded until the
early morning hours. Hundreds of
people tried to follow the dogs and
quit only when they were worn out.
Many followed as near as possible
with autos, horses and other We
hicles.
The bodies OF the victims had not
been moved at midnight. DR.. A. L.
Linquist, the county coroner. fol-
lowed the dogs. The militia refus-
ed to allow the bodies removed un-
til the coroner was present to give
the orders. 1t is thought that they
will be taken to the morgue early in
the morning.
A coroner's jury composed of DR..
w. A. Lomas, W. R. Finlayson and
J. Y. Wickersham will hold an in :
quest today.
Villisca, Ia, June 11.-Fearing !,
that explanations he might offer !.
might not save him from the wrath ,
of posses OF armed citizens aroused
to action by the murder of eight
people here Sunday night, a strang-
er yesterday afternoon gave himself =
Up to the sheriff and requested that r
ne be given protection. It is not be- :,
ieved by the police that he had
lnythfng to do with the crime. He =,
aid that he was afraid that his be- q
ng stranger here would cause :
'eople to look upon him with sus- =
icion, which might fan the popu- =
ace into a mood for trouble.
That family troubles may have te
ad something to do with the slay- tt
s.. i