Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-08
ANDERSON MAKES
FULL CONFESSION
u.rse Trader Tells Details of the MUIR.
der of Roy Lenox and Throwing
His Body In a Well.
prsSIE TRACEY IS NOT HELD
vamsn Companion Responsible for
Clearing Up Mystery That Stir.
red Henry County.
Especial to The Argus.)

cambridge. H., Feb. S.-Frank An
ssrson. horse trader, who confessed to
.he murder of his companion, Roy
Ianox, and to throwing the body in
:, abandoned well near here, TODAY
t;ss in a cell in the Henry county Jail
sraiting action of the grand Jury
uhich will convene next Monday.
BESSIE Tracey, said to be Anderson's
wife. has been absolved from blame.
In the presence Of several witnesses
and court stenographer, Anderson
made a full confession of his crime to
states Attorney Nels F. Anderson,
and related all the grewsome details
~ the murder without showing any
more emotion than he would in barter
ing for horse or sack of feed. His
admission was voluntary and came
without any pressure upon the part of
either the states attorney or Sheriff
George Brown.
At $50 o'clock Saturday evening the
states attorney. Miss Larson, stenog-
rainier, Bessie Tracey. Anderson's
companion. her father, Frazer Tracey
Of Decatur. and the sheriff were in the
accused mans cell talking over the
circumstances pertinent to the case.
Frank" said the girl prisoner to her
former companion, Il have told father
and the officers of my suspicious
Anderson started and turned abrupt
II toward States Attorney Anderson.
Well" he said, she didn't have
thing to do with it,
The states attorney caught his cue.
Here was an indirect admission OF
guilt and he grasped 1t and hurled it
back with terrific force. You hit him
with an AK. didn't you, Anderson" he
asked confidently.
Yes, sir" replied the prisoner.
Murderer Tells Story of Crime.
This Straightforward confession
broke down completely Anderson's
fortifcations - all his previous ex-
plantations of his parting with Lenox
and his possession Of the dead mans
property were crumbled into dust, and
the truth came from his lips sponta
neously Guided by few direct ques-
lions from the states attorney, he I'M
folded the story in all its horrible de-
tails.
As he completed his tale. the pris-
oner drew in a deep breath and sighed
with relief 4 weight had been taken
of his mind. Conscience that had
haunted him day and night was salts
fed. and he addressed the Witnesses:
We'll. | guess l have done the best
thing I could"
You bet you have" volunteered
Mr. Tracey. for if u of these good
farmers around here ever got a crack
al you in a trial I wouldn't give much
for your life"
Slayer Expects Death Penalty.
Il suppose I'll hang for it. anyway
he said, half questioningly, as he turn
ed an inquiring gaze upon the states
attorney
But the states attorney had no
premise to make Il have made you
no promise whatsoever from the time
you were brought to this jail replied
the official, and | make no promise
now; but you shall not hang upon my
suggestion What attitude the court
will take, | cannot say"
Anderson supplied the one word
necessary to complete the story of the
crime as it was worked out by Henry
county officials soon after LenoX
body was found. That word was Il
Il did il" Practically every other
detail of the crime, as 1t was woven
from known facts and circumstantial
evidence by the states attorney and
Sheriff Brown, was corroborated by
Anterson's confession.
Dispute Over Horse Trade.
We had quarreled during the day
Oct. 10, over horse trade" said the
prisoner, and Lenox told me that il
would be necessary for us to par1
company the next morning. We were
then camping on Sheckel's corner
near the northwest corner Of Weller
township
Bessie went 10 bed early and Leno1
and hung around the camp fire for
while. We had some words, and, while
Len0x was standing. facing the fire,
struck him on the head with an ak
tie fell to the ground, dead. I loaded
the body upon a spring wagon which
We had and wrapped the wounded heat
IN carpet to keep the blood from
running on the ground. I started
north with the body, intending to hid'