New Britain herald., 1915-12-30
KILLSFOUR WITH AXE
 AND DRINKS POISON
Bethel Colored Butler Temper.
 arily Insane From Jealousy

Bethel, Dec. 3U.-E'urther InVestlga- tion today of the circumstances at- tending the staying by William A. Steele of four members of his fam fly at their home here last night and the subsequent suicide of Steele, failed to disclose any motive for the crime. The authorities are convinced, how ever, that Steele attacked his wife in a moment of jealous rage and that his brother-in -in-law, James l.. Riley, went to the woman's assistance and trying to defend her.
 It is conjectured that after killing his wife and her brother. Steele's frenzy took full possession of him and led him to batter in the heads of the two little daughters of his wife, Win nie and Hannah Hubbard, aged six and four years, respectively.
 Murdered In Afternoon.
 The authorities have been unable to determine definitely the hour at which the crime was committed, but it is believed that the murders took place before half past four in the afternoon, at which time Steele purchased the poison with which he ended his own life an hour and half later.
 The five bodies rest in an under takers establishment and the funerals will be held tomorrow. Mrs Hannah Riley, mother of the murdered wo- man, has refused to permit the mur- derer to be buried with the other members of the family and he will have a sepaarte funeral tomorrow, while a quadruple funeral will be held over the bodies of the others.
 Desperate Struggle
 The house gave evidences of a des- perate struggle having taken place. One door was smashed in-apparently with an axe. The blood-stained weapon was found in one of the rooms.
 From all appearances, Riley, who was 15 years old, was killed while trying to protect Mrs. Steele. She was found in the bed room. with her throat cut and her head battered. The body of Riley was found onsthe floor near by. The bodies of Steele's step : daughters, Hannah and Winnie Hub bell, aged 5 and years old, respec- lively, were found wrapped: in bed clothes, in closets in other parts of the house. All the bodies were mutilated.
 Ends Life With Poison.
 The crimes were committed, appar- ently late in the afternoon. After wards, Steele, to all outward appear ances as rational as ever, walked to a drug store and purchased the poison with which he ended his life. On his way home he walked part of the way With Ernest A. Bell a constable. Bell says he noted nothing unusual about Steele. Bell says he asked him where he was going this winter (to work) and Steele said: 'I am going below next time you hear from me you will remember what I say"
 According to the police theory. Steele then went to his home and swallowed the poison. A neighbor, T. W. Perry, heard a noise at his front door last night and found Steele on the steps, grooming. He took him in- to the house to summon medical aid, when Steele told him that it would be best to get physician for his family, as they were all very sick. This led to an Investigation, and the disclosure of the tragedy.
 Dies In Jail.
 Steele was taken to the jail fer attention, but he died soon after his arrival there.
 He was 35 years old. of good habits, and was employed as butler in prominent families in this vicinity.