Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-03-20
MYSTERY PAIR

NSOuLluQSU 4IOHl rage Ouc.t
Galbreath, were aiding in the in
vestigation along with A. r. Bledsoe,
deputy marshal. and c. T. Bulware,
deputy constable.
Mrs. w. F. Anderson, a neighbor,
who lives about two blocks from the
Couch home, told officers that on
Monday two negroes came to her
door and asked to be shown the
Couch home. They were driving an
"old" automobile, she said.
The negroes never did appear at
the Couch residence, according to
members of the household.
A filling station operator recalled
that two negroes had stopped at his
place etarly Tuesday morning and
asked the distance to San Antonio.
This pair answered the description
given by Mrs. Anderson, the service
station man said.
Another clue was seen in a report
of residents that a large car was
parked several hours Monday night
in a vacant lot opposite the Couch
home. Witnesses said they noticed
the a there at z D. m. and that it
still was there at 1890 o'clock. Of
ficers believe the occupants may
have been watching movements in
the Couch residence.
The entire Weslaco community
has been in a state of high excite
ment since news of the brutal at
tack spread about the city early
Tuesday.
Little groups form at various
points along the city streets. and a
number of persons waited most CT
Tuesday around the Guaranty State
Bank, on which Nc. Couch is presi-
dent, for any news of changes in
Kelley's condition.
However, there was no intimation
Of any violence or d%isorderliness. A
request for state rangers was sent
in, it was explained, for any help
they might give in solving the mys-
terry Of the attack, and to help safe
guard any suspect that might be ar
rested, in view of the feeling that
has been aroused over the attack.
Entered BY Window
Officers centered their investiga-
ton on three lines of approach and
study. One Of these Is on the tracks
which were found near the house.
Trs cks of a ma were found leading
from a side Of the house, through a
rose garden, and up to a window Of
Kelley's room. The same tracks
then traced going away from
the window. and out Of the yard by
the same route.
1t is the theory Of officers that the
attacker made his way to the win
dow, which was not locked. climbed
in, struck Kelley while the latter
was asleep. and then climbed hack
out through the window, closing it
after him.
No traces of blood were found on
the window sill. or any other part
Of the room except where Kelley
had been lying. and where he ap-
parently walked into the living
room.
Mrs. Short Hears Fall
Mrs. r. c. Short, a sister-in-law
Of the attack victim. and who lives
with her husband ct the home Of
her father and mother, Mr.. and Mrs.
Couch. was the only member Of the
family to hear a noise before Kelley
was discovered. Shortly after 2
o'clock she was awakened by what
she thought was a groan. She awak-
ened her husband, and told him. but
he said he heard nothing. Mrs.
Short then went into the room of
her mother, but found the latter
asleep, and when awakened Mrs.
Couch said that nothing could be
wrong. apparently.
Shortly afterward Mrs. Short
heard a crash, as someone fell to
the floor. She went into the living
room. and Kelley was found there.
living OF his back, with his feet in a
chair, and unconscious.
Was SIeening
Physicians and officers said that
aorarentlv was sleeping on
his left side. at the time of the at
tack. with his face toward a window
in the room. The attacker stole up
behind him. and brought the instru-
ment down across his temple and
the side Of his head. ~shattering the
skull over a section about an inch
wide. ard four or five inches in
Pieces of skull were picked
from his brain. and the brain tissue
was broken in places.
He evidently lay unconscious in
his own blood for thirty minutes or
more. and then regained conscious
ness partly. and walked from his
bedroom into the living room adj
Joining. There he collapsed. prob
, hIu orrnSS tia rhcfr nh;ch a.