Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-10-15
OFFICERS ARREST
SLAYERS OF MELLOTT
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The latter was introduced by Mellott
to Mccormick and was able to give
good description of the pair to the
officers.
Had an Assumed Name.
Inc hotel keeper stated that the
couple registered with him as Mr.. and
Mrs. Earl Burton. Both men stated
that the couple left with Mellott in
the latter's car The woman left her
coat in the hotel and neither/she nor
the man ever returned In the wom-
ans coat was found list of names
of men residing in Moulton, Oska-
loosa, Knoxville and Pennington.
Most OF the men named were inter
viewed and thus description as we'll
as the name and a picture Of the
woman was obtained. The name of
Ruth McClelland or McElerea was
given and the information was sworn
out in the latter name.
Sheriff Knox learning that man
with blood stains was seen leaving a
freight car at Cedar Rapids the day
following the murder, went to that
city Monday after returning from
Davenport, where he had gone Sat-
urday to identify a suspect Neither
clue proved Of value and it was not
until last evening that the officers got
close to their quarry.
Deputy Sheriff Morrissey interview
ed Jude Harris at West Grove Monday
and was told that Mellott had bought
Harris interest in a show for an auto
mobile. Mr.. Morrissey also learned of
a woman named Springer who was
thought to have figured in the case,
and who was used as decoy to lure
Mellott to his death.
Sheriff Grimes notified Deputy
Sheriff Morrissey that he was told by
a NJ. & st. l.. conductor that young
couple had left his train at junction
near Keithsburg, Ill.,, the morning af-
peared to have been in fight and
both were disheveled in appearance.
Catches Train on Run.
Upon the return of Sheriff Knox
from the Eichelberger funeral at
Bloomfield last evening, Mr.. Morrissey
met him at the Wabash station and in
formed him of the message. Burling-
ton No. was leaving the union depot
at the time and run to Market street
where the train was tagged permitted
Knox to board it and meet Sheriff
Grimes at Burlington from whence he
had talked to Morrissey. The officers
proceeded to the junction near Keiths-
burg and interviewed the man who
cares for the pump at the railroad wa
ter tank there.
The officers learned from the man
and his wife that couple stopped
with them for short time last We'd
nesday and that the man and woman
were dirty and travel stained. They
were told that the man was without
collar and that he went to town and
purchased pair of trousers and
shirt and that he tried to buy waist
for the woman with him. The waist
worn by her was said to have blots
upon it that appeared to have been
made, from trying to rub out stain
with grass. The pair left for Chicago.
Learn of Last Letter.
After the sheriff had left, Deputy
Sheriff Morrissey learned that letter
written last Sunday was received Ny
the parents of Mccormick and this let
ter was turned over to the officer. 1t
told of Mccormick being employed at
the Fair store in Chicago, and was
largely personal note to his parents
with the regard of son for his
parents. 1t also stated that he would
write more frequently in the future.
The address of the young man con-
tanned both in the letter and on the
outside of the envelope was 1441 Madi-
son street, Chicago.
Deputy Sheriff Morrissey, tried to
reach Sheriff Knox at Burlington but
the train had left and he got in touch
with him at Monmouth, Ill. The de-
tails were given Mr.. Knox and he with
Sheriff Grimes left for Chicago on Bur-
lington No. 2 that leaves here at 1920
p. M, and arrived in Chicago in time
to make the arrest before 8 o'clock
this morning. The following wire from
the two sheriffs was received by The
Courier about 1915 this morning.
Chicago, ILL.,, Oct. 1--we have the
man and woman who murdered Mellot
They have confessed their guilt.
Knox and Grimes.
Arrested In Chicago.
Chicago, Oct 14-Mrs Ruth Nc.
Cullough, 20 year old snake charm
err" and her companion, Clarence Nc
Cormick, Is year old son of Lam
caster, Mo-, farmer, were arrested here
today charged with the murder of l.
w. Mellott, wealthy farmer of Ollie,
and have confessed their guilt in writ
ing.
Mellott, according to information
received at the time of the murder was
shot in his automobile.
Robbery Is Motive.
The purpose of the murder, which
occurred October 6. was robbery. The
arrest was made early today by Sher7
if Knox of Ottumwa, Iowa, and Sher-
if E. ]. Grimes of Keokuk county, as
sisted by local detective, as the pair
were about to be evicted from a west
side rooming house for non-payment of
rent. The fugitives were penniless.
The robbery netted them only $23 and
Mccormick had been unable to obtain
employment. The girl was to have
gone to work today as a waitress.
The snake charmer" was follower
of county fairs and street carnivals
and Mccormick met her at one of