Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1915-01-08
Killed While Asleep.
MOTHER AND THREE CHILDREN MUIR.
DERED IN THEIR BEDS.

| DERED IN THEIR BEDS.
Luray, Va, Jan. 3.-Slain in their
mountain home while asleep some
time last night, the bodies of Mrs.
Charles E. Burner and three chill
drep, horribly mutilated, were found
this morning by the children of a
neighbor, who had gone to the house
on an errand.
The scene of the murder is about
| five miles west of Luray, at the base
OF the Massanutten Mountain. Bur.
ner's Whereabouts are unknown,
although he is said to have come to
Luray this morning on his way to the
home OF man living near the B'ue
Ridge
The scene of the murder is an iso-
lated one and particulars are hard
to obtain. although there is said to
have been strained relations between
Burner and his wife for about year.
Burner at that that time is alleged to
have assaulted man, severely
wound.ng him. For this Burner was
sent to the State road gang and had
been home only about one month.
All OF the victims had .their skulls
broken with some blunt instrument.
James Hamilton. the Oldest child,
aged about years; Walter, one
year younger, and the baby, about
year old, appear to have boon MUIR
dered while they slept. The mother
apparently made a desperate resis-
lance before she was killed.
Mrs. Burner was born in Balm
bridge. Ca, and was brought to this
pace by DR.. 81. NJ. Wharton, the
Baltimore evangelist, and given a
home at the institution near Luray,
then conducted by DR.. Wharton. She
was about p years OF age.
No arrests have made. Burner
was in Luray late yesterday evening.
He was a peaceful man when sober,
although when intoxicated had the
reputation of being qlarrel soma.
Laray, Va, Jan Suicide solv-
ed the mystery surrounding the MUIR
der and three children in their noun
tain home five miles west of Luray.
The body OF William Nichols, who
had been paying attention to Mrs.
Burner, was found dead in a house
not far from the Burner home. After
wi ping out the Burner family Mich.
lols went to the home of Wesley
Price, to whom he had loaned a shot
Gun several weeks ago. Price was
away and Nichols, breaking a win
dow, entered the house and got the
gun. &c placed the weapon against
the wall and is supposed to have
pulled the trigger with his foot
When found by Sheriff Sedwick
Nichols had been dead about &c
hours.
When Burner left home to go to
Luray::Nichols remained at the house
to look after Burners stock until he
returned. Neighbors of the Burner
family believe that Nichols wanted
Mrs. Burner to elope with him and
when she refused he murdered her
and the children with an ak. The ak
was found at the Price home and had
been used to break open the window.
The murdered woman and three
children remained in the home about
Is hours before they were found.
Evidence shows that Nichols and
Mrs. Burner had finished the evening
meal aud Mrs. Bnrner was preparing
the children for bed, when she WAS
attacked by the murderer. The baby
was found clasped in the mothers
arm.
| Bloodstaius on the door facing
| shows that Mrs. Burner made des-
perate effort to free herself from the
! murderer.
Nichols is son of Christopher
Nichols, of Rappahannock county
He served three wears in the Virgins
Penisentiary for forging check on
the Page Valley National Bank oil
Luray. While attempting to alighi
from q freight train in this place
several years ago Nichols lost leg
! Excellent for Stomach Trouble.
"Chamberlain's Tablets are jus,
fine for stomach trouble. writes Mrs
g. G. Dunn. Arnold, Pa. WIS
bothered with this complaint for some
time and frequently had bslious
attacks. Chamberlxin's Tablets atfor
ded me great relief from the first, and
since taking one bottle OF them fee
like . different person. For sal
BY All Dealers.
!