The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-07
SEARCH FOR AXE
FIEND IS ENDED
Tremblay Grew Worse When
Examined by Experts.
Had Inflicted Slight Wounds on
Self to Cover Up Crime?
EVIDENCE POINTED TO HIM
Killed Boy That He Might Pay
on Mortgage Overdue2
Poison Taken After He Was
Shown Deadly Axe.

Concordia. Kan. April THE sud
den death early today of l. ]
Tremblay, IS. trustee of Shirley
township, brought TO climax the
mystery Of the murder of his 19year-
old son. Theodore. and tho serioss in
jury TO four other sons at the
Tremblay farm home last Tuesday
night from axe wounds
Investigation today revealed, ac-
cording to Sheriff Carl Moore of
Cloud county, that the father died
from poison. self administered.
Tremblay's death followed an investi-
cation which. Sheriff Moore asserts,
brought the net of circumstantial evi-
dence ever. closer about the elder
Tremblay.
Officers today ascertained that
Tremblay obteined a quantity of
poison yesterday from the basement
of his partly burned home having
gone there on the pretense of seeing
what damage the water had done in
the basen ent. 1t was there he kept a
quantity OF poison used in spraying
potato plants
Tremblay. a brother. and Eugene
Savole. both of Faribault. ATian., in
formed officers today that they had
taken a quantity of the poison from
Tremblay and had thrown il away. at
the time not knowing he had swal-
lowed some Of it.
Upon becoming i'll last night. Of
ficers say, Tremblay called in the par
ish priest, Father Jalvert. The Of
ficers TODAY said the priest declined
to state whether or not Tremblay
made a confession Relatives. who
were present part of the time, said
Tremblay talked Historically and at
tempted TO pray. but they could not
understand what he said
Sheriff Moore advances the theory
that financial matters may have
prompted Tremblay to slay his son.
Theodore, on whose life there was
$4,000 insurance. but is unable to ac-
count for the attempt to Slay all five
sons. unless his mind had become un-
balanced.
During the investigation of the axe
murder, a number of defects were
found in the elder Tremblays story
of the tragedy. Last evening he was
questioned by a finger print expert
from the state penitentiary who con-
fronted Tremblay with the blood be-
smeared axe with which the crime
was committed.
The body was found this morning
a $3.50. at the home of a neighbor.
where he has been staying since the
crime of last Tuesday
No trace of poison was found about
the room or about the body.
The coroner made an investiga tion
this morning and held a post mortem.
Mr.. Tremblay grew suddenly worse
last night when experts from the state
prison put him thru a severe gTilling
in connection with the Tuesday crime.
Early last Wednesday morning
neighborS attracted to the Tremblay
farm by the burning house and barn,
found the body of Theodore Trem-
blay. 19-year-old son of L. ]. Trem-
blay. partly consumed by flames and
with the head crushed. Four other
sons. Albert. IA. Francis. IL. Alfonso
10. and Cleo. s, We're carried from
ing blows on their heads.
The father, l. II. Tremblay was
found on the porch Of the home. his
feet bound with wire and suffering
from slight scalp wound.
Examination disclosed that all had
been attacked with the family axe.
Later. according 10 officers. the
bloody weapon was found in the
house. Theodore had been killed il
is thought. after he had entered the
barn to attend to a sick horse The
attack was made from the rear His
skull had been crushed at the base
of the brain.
A fifth son. Philip. is years old.
who was employed at another farm. !
five miles away. esta ablished that he
had been at his place OF employment /
the night the crimes We're committed. (
His story was declared conclusive YES
terday and the lad was released. A
little daughter who had spent the
night with a married sister some dis !
lance away, was the only other mem 1
ber of the family to escape injury
The mother died several years ago.
Bloodhounds were sent TO the scene
from Concordia the next day. but
-ailed to pick up the scent of the
SLAYER or slayers
The authorities Yesterday began IN
ielve into the financial affairs or the
an1ily. especially those of the father
who was trustee of Shirley township
1t was ascertained that $4,000
mortgage on the Tremblay farm, held