St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 6

1W 6 St. 08t-9ispattf, Jmntrarj, gjtoutmfoi 23, 1890. ADS STILLWELL'S MURDERER. ARC A RY CD OS-1 i pi 1 Stanley Kendrick Taken Into Custody at Peoria, 111., on That Charge. MB Id liiip IHEi By Take Franklin Avenue Cable Corner Seventh St.

and Washington Av. Lifting the Veil That Shrouded One of Missouri's Greatest Crimes. Announce that on December' 1st a change in their firm takes place, to-day and examine property on Union avenue, one block north of Easton. Agent on ground. Terms $50 cash, $10 a month.

Hammett-Anderson-Wade, 213 N. 8th St. Ten Months of Searching Investigation and Tireless Chase After the Suspected Assassins. The Second Chapter of Hannibal's Murder Mystery Which Was Partially Unraveled in the "Sunday Post-Dispatch" Feb. 16.

Mr. MB. Miltenberger withdrawing. And for the purpose of reducing their stock they will offer great bargains in the STAPLE DEPARTMENT, DRESS GOODS DEPART-VIET, WOOLEN DEPARTMENT, WHITE GOODS DEPARTMENT, MEN'S FURNISHING GOODS DEP'T, HOSIERY DEPARTMENT, NOTION DEPARTMENT. The attention of CASH AND PROMPT TIME buyers is called to our sale, as the prices we have made on our goods will certainly interest them.

The stock must be reduced prior to December 1st. Our stock of seasonable Woolens is particularly complete, and we call your especial attention to the very attractive prices we make on these goods. ame. The other was named Bertha Miller. night was fixed as the time.

Tbe plans were discussed. Kendriok informed tbem that tbev would have no difficulty in entering the house as that would be arranged. (It will be remembered that the trout door which was alwaya bolted and chained was found so was the rear door). PEEPARFSG FOB THE MDRDEB. Abont midnight they met.

No. Stanley Hendrtck, Bertha Miller and Sam Rhodes. About 1 o'cloek tbey sought the neighborhood ot the Stillwell bouse. Tbey did not enter at once One of the Greatest Pieces ol Detective Work In the History ol the Weit Apparently Brought to a Successful Close by Mr. Clarence F.

Newcomb, Manager ol ThiePs Detective' Agency ot This City The Confessions ot Two Women Implicate Two Negro Men in the Brutal Murder Stanley Kendrick to Have Told Them That He Was Hired to Murder the Rich Merchant Who Was the Employer'? Story ot the First Clew to the Unraveling ol the Great Mystery An Arrest at Peoria, 111., Yesterday The Prisoner Denies That He Is the Man Sought by the Officers The Investigation Started by the "Sunday Post-Dispatch" Alter the Failure ol All Official Inquiry Surrendered to Abler Hands The Crime. In a dingy little bouse on Main street In Hannibal Berths Miller lived and No. 1 visited ber there with frequency. Tbev occupied a front roam, and the room behind them was rented by an old negro washerwoman who worked in good families there and whose reputation was good among them. Sbe knew as everyone in Hannibal did.

the details ot that startling crime as ac curately as the public bad ever learned them. Sbe wasslttlng Dy the fire in her room one nignt some months ego, resting after a hard day's work and through tne rickety partition, wnicn eparated the rooms she cearj no. i ana Bertha Miller discussing tne Stillwell murder. THE STORY. Eager to know everything that conld be as- ertained abont It the old woman went to the partition and pat ber ear to a crack.

It was a eguiar case or eavesdropping, duc ior once FIFTH street 2 SvpMS 1 1 L- ill apeecbes because establishment of tween tbem. had any clear idea of what abould be done. The Coroner was summoned and superficially examined the body and surroundings. Ha had ruflnntlv hAAti AlACtAd to thA nffloA and statrs for a short time. So Mrs.

Stillwell testified, and she said she thought he remained to close the iront door, which was alwaya bolted and. chained at nigbt. He soon entered the chamber, disrobed and retired, lie asked his wife If she had locked the chamber door. She started toward It to see, when Earl, who had been awakened, cried ut and sbe got la to bed with him to quiet him. She says sbe fell asleep and some time later sbe did not know when, sbe was aroused by her husband who asked, "Fannie, Is that you?" waa nit ullw tnl with ih.

hniin.H A did not then make a careful examination of all tbe circumstances surroundina tbe murder j-as could then be ascertalaed. Before be oonld make a aecond examination tbe bed bad been 1 taken down and all tbe ghastly evldencee ot the crime except tbe body had been removed from tbe room. On whose order the servants did thia Is net now known. Before 6 o'clock and it was between 1 anp 2 o'clock tbe murder oc- curred the room had been cleared of bed i and bedding. Why tbls surprising thing should be done bas since csused a vast; amount of speculation, but all inquiry has failed to place tbe responsibility for it.

Itut before this removal of evidence a Ian-; tern bad been found and search for other evl- dence was begun. In the house something: bad been dlsoovered. On tbe front stairway, in tbe front ball downstairs, in the dining-, room, through and out ot the back quantities of PART1AT.LT B0RHED HATCHES. were lying, lhe trail of matches led to the wood bouse. The charred sticks lav near the kindling pile, and tbe search party here noticed that tbe door into the alley waa open.

Near the door a silver quarter waa found. Further on soma more silver and then 1 Stanley Kendrlcks wit arrested yesterday In Peoria, III. charged with the assassination of Amos. J. Stillwell of Ranalbal, Mo.

The cloud which has hovered over one ot tbe most mysterious an? remarkable crimes in the history of Missouri is about to be swept away, if any reliasoe can be placed on the evidenoe heard. Ob Feb. 10, 1890. the Sunday Post-Dispatch took up the investigation of the criminal mystery which, by reason of the prominence ot the -victim and the gbaatllness of the deed, aaused widespread excitement. On Feb.

16, the first connected statementof the case.embodylng all the the facts developed by the Judicial questioning and by the inquiries of Scndat Post-Dispatch Investigators working at every possible point of interest was presented to the readers. This was followed by a systematlo investigation which developed the fact that the work of solving the mystery was In abler bands and the evidence secured in a hunt which extended from New Orleans, to Keokuk, was turned over to Mr. Clarence F. New-comb, the manager of Tbiel'a Detective Agency. The hunt for the murderer has been a long and wearing cbase, but it was followed with indefatigable energy and a degree of persistence which eventually led to the arrest in Peoria, 111., last nlgbt which Is to be followed by two arrests In Hannibal and another elsewhere.

Thus the case, given ap as an un solvable mystery by others, was by the skillful management of Mr. Newcomb. drawn gradually into the light and the strange and horrible facts of the awful tragedy disclosed. THE CRIME. On the night of Dec.

29, 1888. Amos J. Still-well was brained with an ax while he lay in five $5 billa In a bundle, then anothei $5 bill and eome more aiiver and tbea i 0 JB totem Is; -wet but held back for some time unt 1 at last Kendrick said it was time. He eta tfoned one of the women In the alley near Church street, tbe other la the alley near Broadway. They were to remain there as guards to give warning in case anyone approached.

The electric tower oa the corner of Broad way and Fifth atreet lighted most of tbe neighborhood, bnt tbe shadow ot tbe church of the United brethren threw pall of darkness over the Btillwell mansion and tbe yard in the rear. Tbe women remained, closely watching the alleyway. Tbla woman's description of what followed was horrible. She said that Hendrick and Rhodes entered the yard and sbe ssw no more of tbem. for some time.

She does not know bow long but It seemed a very long time. Then sbe heard their steps coming through the yard towards tbe alley. Tbey seemed to be moving very rapidly running. Then they appeared at the alley gate. They seemed excited and apoke hurriedly.

Tbey called the women away. Kendrick carried tbe bloody ax and he himself was covered with blood. He carried the ax aome distance down tbe allev. then tore a board rom the shed and threw be ghastly weapon in. Tbev hurried on, all four of tbem.

to a certain bouse, and there Kendrlck'a coat was found to contain count less spots of blood. It was Impossible to clean it and the women helped him to destroy it. ah stinwell's money was louno except a little more than $20. No. 1 ssys tbat Kendrick gave ber and Bertha Miller each a 110 bill.

o. Kept her's. end wben eh wae afraid abe would be discovered ahe bougbt a railroad ticket with It and came to St. Louia. Bertha Miller became frightened and tore the $10 sbe bad received into fragments, bam Rhodes bad remained in Hannliial.

but Kendrick, fearful of discovery, bad fled. 1 his story waa so specific In detail that It was taken as tbe basis tor future work in tbe esse, and tbe operations transferred to Hannibal. Bertha Miller and Sam Itbodes were essily located and for six montha they have been under surveillance. Is was necessary to se cure corroborative evidence, and working among Bertha Miller's friends, a nuto- uer or the hunters beara a num ber of atatemer.ie wblcb sbe had made, which takea Id not seem suspicions, but, put toy her, furnished valuable evidence. Armed with thla an attempt waa made to secure the story from tbe woman herself.

It was successful. and Bertha Sill ier, hundreds ol miles away from her associate, questioned at another time and ignorant or who ber questioner was, told a story which absolutely corroborated that which No. 1 bad told and which varied in detail only to aucb an extent aa the recitals of an Incident by two different persons will naturally and always vary, it Is not necesssry to repest her story, for it would oniy be to re-relate tbe awful confession of No. 1, which they have said may 'or may not bs true. but if untrue it la a case without parallel, a coincidence remarkable that two women at different times and in different cities, ebould confess to participa tion in tbe same crime and relate the aame details with exactness.

THE HUNT FOR KKNPBICK. Then came the bunt for Stanley Kendrick. and In all the worka of detective lore one will hardly find the record ot a more remarkable chase. Kendrick bas been up and down tbe Mississippi River for years and In all the cities, and at all tne landings of the river he has acquaintances. When a detective Was started on his track ha was said to be in St, Louia.

Ills friends here were found and inquiry was made of tbem Tes, they said, ha had been here. bnt he had just gone. Where none of them seemed to know, but one. who said be had neara ivenaricK epeaK or going to alempnis lie bad gone to Memphis and close behind blm waa the detective. lie was bunted for among bis acquaintances there, and again he eluded pursuit, for he had left Memph ia and returned to M.

Louis. Back came tbe detective, but again be was unsnccesstul. Kendrick bad been here, remained for a day and then de parted. It coord net be found out where be bad gone. Later it waa reported that he was In Cairo.

The hunt was began afresh there. He waa located Just ss be left Cairo for Memphis. At Mem- pb is ne couia not do lonnd, but the house at bleu ne wss staying was located. and it was watched closely. Tbe dsy It was found Kendrick left alempbls and again for several dava be waa not heard of of.

Tbe next word of blm came from New Orleans. He was followed there. but by the time he was traced among tbe thousands of negroes who crowd the levees be bad left. Again tbe trail was lost, and another Interval- occurred. when next he was beard of he was at Keokuk lo.

Tbe officer hurried there, ut Kendrick had already left, and bis assoclatea said he had gone to Cairo. ben the detective arrived at Cairo be bad gone to Memphis. Word was received tbat Kendrick was under arrest in Memphis That was good news ana it seemed -tbat now his capture was a certainty. Ibe de tectlve arrived- on Monday morning. three weeks ago.

Tbe polioe, fail ing to procure any evidence against bim.were compelled to turn him loose on Sat urday afternoon. On Saturday night he left Ueuiphls and waa not beard of again until Friday last at Peoria. The officer was at once dispatched tbere and the atory of this last pursuing trip is told In the following special dispatch to the sukdat ost-dispatch irona Peoria. STARLET KEKRICK CAPTURED. The Peoria correspondent of tbe Sukpat Post-Dispatch furnished the concluding chapter ot tbe sensational case, wblcb be obtained from the police of tbat city.

It is as follows: PEORIA, 111., Nov. 22. At 9 o'clock Stanley Kendrick waa located In the Two Johna (colored) aaloon, where be waa preparing a eoon supper ior the nrgroes ot coon iionow Cblef of Police Hyue wss requested to eo-operate in arresting Kendrick. Chief Flynn promised assistance. It was arraesed tbat the Chief of Detect ivea and mycelf should made the arrest.

At 12:30 p. m. we started fer the saloon, but learning that Kendrick was at wort in the kitchen over the saloon, which was aiso usea aa a crap room, and that there were aeveral exits tnrough a labyryntn of balls and alleys, we waited- until 2:30 for blm to come out As bo did not appear at mis time we caned omcera ana stationed tnem so as to cover all possible exits. We then entered the saloon and requested one of the proprletora to let na see tbe eooua tbey were cooking. He readily consented and started to teaa ibe way to tne kitchen.

A negro woman waa aeen to run for the Kltcbea aa aoon ae we asked permission to enter it. Seeing thla, we bniriedpaat one of the Johns and reached the foot ot the kitchen stairs In a court yard Jest In time to receive the fleeing form of Kendrick In our arm. The woman who bad run to tbe kitchen oa our approach was standing at tbe bead of the stalra. She hurried down, and we asked it as was aveauiiGX wne. utaarica Ilia Jt they completed the re-affectlouate relations tbe- Mr.

and Mrs. Stillwell occupied a large chamber in tbe center of the bouse en the second floor. There were two beds in this room, one occupied by Mr. and Mra. Stillwell and the other by tbe younger children, Harold and Earl.

Tbe little ones had been put to bed by tbe servants, and when Mrs Stillwell went into tt room they were sleeping peacefully. Mollle was In Quincy visiting relatives. Mr. Stillwell was tbe last to enter the chamber. He had staid behind, bis widow told the Coroner, to lock the front door, she supposed.

When they were disrobed (following tbe tes timony of Mrs. Stillwell) Mr. Stillwell asked If tbe door of their room opening on the hall was locked, or asked wire to lock it. tne tarted toward It. but one of tbe chtidrea had been disturbed by their talking and cried out.

Sbe went to the little one's bed and, to quiet tbe one disturbed, got into the bed by Its Being very tired she weat to sleep tbere. Sbe does not know bow long sbe slept, bnt she wae awakened by ber husband saying. Fannie, la that yon?" Opening her eyes ahe aaw a man crouching at tbe foot of the bed In which ber buaband lay. As she looked, the man raised and swung bis arms, wbich held aa ax. She says she heard a whirring noise and the thud of the blade as it struck ber husband's bead.

Fearing, abe aays, that it would be ber turn ext. abe covered ner heaa witn tne oea- clotbes and fainted. Recovering from the swoon. Mrs. Stillwell got out of the children' bed, and taking the youngest, carried it through the adjoining room which waa occupied oy her aaugnter Mollle when at home into the servants' room.

One of the women she told to fetch tbe other child. "Mr. Stillwell bas been murdered by a burglar," sbe said, "and tbe children must not see Im. Airs, stillwell siiys she aid not make any ex- mlnation of herbasbnnd nor any outcry. Haying placed tbe children in the servants.

room ana LOCKED THB DOOR upon them, sbe ran down the front stairs, found tbe front door open, ran acroas Fifth street and rang the bell of Mr. League's bouse violently. There wss soma tardiness about the response and she ran to tbe next bouse north, which Is occupied by Dr. Allen, and rang bia bell. Dr.

Allen responded immediately. Oh doctorr'Mre. stillwell cried. "Mr. Stillwell bad been murdered by a burglar and Is lying In a pool of bis own blood." 1 be League fsmily having been aroused Dy the bell had by tbls time come to the front windows aad beard the terrible announcement.

Dr. Alien told Mrs. Stillwell he would go over right away, and ao soon as be and bis wife could get their garments on tbey ran over to the bouse. Mrs. Stillweli bad crossed the street wear ing nothing but her night drees.

Her feet were bare Mrs. Allen took her ia charge and waa getting tome clothes on ber when she fainted or fell into a peculiar cataleptic state such as has been developed before wben sbe was excited. Dr. Allen and an employe of Mr. League en tered the room where the dead man lay.

Dr. Gleasoa, who also lived across the way, was soon there and the two physicians maae a careful examination of the body. Mr.Stlllwell had been killed by aa ax blow on the left side ot bis head. Tbe wound was found to be gin at tbe cheek bone, extend along the lower third oi tbe ear ana into tne necK, oeing vi Inches in length. Tbe deepest point waa In tbe neck.

The carotid artery bad been severed and death bad resulted within a minute after the blow was struck. ben found tbe boay was lying on the right side, the right arm under tbe bead, the left arm lying on the bed. The feet were out of bed on the north side ana the toes were touon- ingtbe carpet. The bead wos upon tbe pillow, tbongb allgbtlv removed from tbe deepest blood stains on the slip. There waa a long streak of blood down tbe eenter oi tne oeu and a mark of blood on tbe dead man's right leg, thouah no enrrent of blood had flown ia the direction of his position oa the bed.

1 be doctors and all who aaw tne oouy men ere compelled to come to the conclusion that the ax-man bad atruck bia victim while tbe latter was lying upon his right side, and In the center of the bea. now nis ieet naa gotten out of bed tbey conld not ten, oat suDoosed that ia tbe death struggle tbey were thrown tbat wav. This conclusion has not anneared reasonable to investigators, oeause there is an agreement among tbe medical men that tbe blow would stun the victim ana tnere would be no convulsion at death. When tbe first neighbors entered the death- room It was dark, save for a candle burning on the dresser In the bay window. Between the children's and Mr.

Still well" bed tbere waa usuailv a spsce probably three feet wide. Tbere were now some three or four obatra aet aKainst tbe children's pea and pll lews were piled on tbem. Mrs. Stillwell said that sbe bad placed thoae chairs there to prevent the little ones from seeing the body of their father and the blood, though as sbe removed tbem to the servants' room on regaining consciousness the need for this precaution does not appesr. Then, too, Mr.

Stillwell's legs extended ont from tbe bed. occupying nearly all the remainder of tbe space between tne two beds. When the gaa in tbe death room was lighted by either Mrs. Allen or Mrs. League aud tnere Is some question on tbat point, a cloth baa ceatalaing the table silver waa found on tbe mantel, where it bad been tbe family custom to put it every Igbt.

Nothing was found amiss In tbe room except tbat Mr. Stillwell's panta had been taken from a chair In tbe bav window where bis other elothes were found bad been dropped at tbe foot of tbe bed. The bag of silver had evidently been untoncbed Mr.Stlllwell'a watch waa where be bad placed it on going to bed aad aome silver waa found la bia panta' pockets, tfaongb bis pocket- Dooa wss missing. A SEARCH or THE HOUSE aad yard waa suggested by one of the earliest arrivals, bnt tbla waa delayed on account of the lack of a lantern. Messengers were sent for tbe police, for John Stillwell and tor tbe murdered man's son, Richard H.

Still well, who Is rasrrled and livss abont bait i mile from bla father's borne. Wbea the first of these arrived the body waa rigid. Indeed. It bad been quite cold when Dr. Allen arrived, aad be estimates that Mr.

Stillwell had then been dead twenty mlnntes or half an hoar. Before Mra. Stillwell became unconscious she asked tbat Dr. Hearn be eent tor, aad a messenger was dispatched to bla house. He arrived about tbe time Jobn E.

Stillwell and the notice sot In tbe houo. All was ex citement and confusion. Mre. Stillwell waa unconscious and rigid, tbe master of the Hons wa dead, aaa a ea Ut plae John and the woman aald ahe was not, and then Kendrick also aaid she was not. Ken drick was placed in a cell ia tbe city jail and asked who bis associates were In tbe murder at Ilannibal.

He replied by asking where Hannibal was. Tbe following dialogue then ensued "Come. Stanley, yon know where Hanni bal Is." 'No. I don't." be replied. "I never heard of tbat place before.

I was never in Missouri in my life." 'Yes, yon were, and you nave been in 'I have not been In Mlssonrl since 1884. When confronted with tbe statements of No. 1 and Bertha Miller, alias May Steele, he declared be never knew either of tbem. When told of a visit be paid to a certain house in St. Louis, a tew months ago be declared tbat be was never In St.

Louis in bis life. He admitted, however, that ne bad resided for several years In Keokuk, and bad a brother George tbere who ia arber. He stoutly maintained his Innocence ot any crime in iianaiDai, ana insistea mat ue was never there In bis life and never beard of the plaoe until to-day. When tbe detectives atarted to leave his cell Kendrlcks said: 1 ake me before (No. 1) and Bertha Miller and I will bet tbev will say 'I never saw that an before.

A woman claiming to do nia wife called to see him an bour after bis arrest. In an interview she gave an account of Kendrlck'a movemente from July. lbSfi. to tbe present time except a few weeks now and then when be waa away from her. From 1884 to July 18S8 she could not tell where he was except tbMt be was la tb West and was not In Missouri." THE CKIME.

A Thrilling Description ef Hannibal's Host Sensational Mnrder. The crime for which this arrest bas been made is the brutal butchery of Amos J. Stillwell while be slept In bis own chamber near the bed in which bla wife and sons lay. He was killed early In the morning of December 29, 1688. A Coroner's jury found tbat be came to his death at the hands ot some per son or persons unknown, a urana jury examined several witnesses, but decided not to go deeply Into the matter, and so took up other business.

Another Grand Jury made a very searching examination into all tbe facta surrounding tbe case and failed to find evidence sufficient to Justify the returning of an indictment, A third -rana-lury tooK tbe ease in jreorn- arv Tbe aame witnesses were examined. tbe same stories were to'd, the same strange mystery surrounded tbe murder. Amos J. btillwell was too senior mem ner or the pork-packing firm of A. J.

Stillwell Co. the other members bring a cousin. Jobn Stillwell, and a son, RIcbard H. t-tillwell. He bad been twice married, aad was the father of four children.

Richard, tbe eldest, aged at the time of the mnrder 82 years, was tbe only child ot the first wile. The children ot tbe second wife, Mrs. Fsnnle Stillwell. were Mollle, aged 14 years; Harold, aged 8 years, and Earl, aged years. Mr.

Stillwell was at tbe time of his death 07 years oio; nis seoona wile was nearly twenty years bis Junior. Ibey lived in a handsome house on Filth street, between rlrnadway and Jburoh streets. The bouse Is almost. If not quite, the nicest In Hannibal, and la certainly tbe beat in lte neighborhood. around wblch business bas been slowly gathering.

Air. tun wen was one oi tne most soiia dusi- ness men of Hannibal and was accounted one of til wealthiest. He bad lived there for many years and all bis children were born there. 1 bough a member of no churcb, he attended the episcopal Church and contrlb uted to its support. He was an exceedingly plain man and went very little into society.

lie baa lew warm personal irienas. though highly respected by every one. In bnslness be was tnorongniy nonest, exacting tbe eame rlaid honesty from those Ith whom be dealt, it was nis rigia ad herence to bis own standards and a certain disregard for some conventionalisms wbich gained blm a reputation for being peculiar and restrained blm from making many friends. Those friends he bad were most de voted to blm. At home as at bis business, be wss a strict disciplinarian.

FV.RSOKAL KKEMIES He bad few active enemies, it appeared on investigation after bis death, and these en mics were only active in a business way. All stood tbe test of rigid examination by tbe de teotives without supporting in the smallest devree a auspiclon of complicity in blx death The Stillwell bouse ia close to tbe bualness center of Hannibal. Between Fourtb and Fifth street, Broadway and Center street. Is the city r.rK. JNorth of tbe park on tbe cor ner ot Fourth ana Center streets is tbe Park Hotel, and at Filth and Center streets ie the Opera-bouse.

At Sixth street and Broadway la tbe postomce. he iiock in wnich tbe bouse Is has doctors' and lawyers' offices alonx Its Broadway side, aad no less tban three physi cians Jive across Fl'th street In front of tbe Dlace. ibe house is nanasomeiv rurnisuea; out tne better part has been added alnce tbe mnrder Tbe old furniture was in keeping witb tbe taste of tbe proprietor, plain and substantial The new la ef tbe widow's choosing. Th lot ia between 150 and 175 feet front. Tbere la a good bit of well-kept lawn la front ana at the sides, ana Dec oi iue nouse ie trick stable snd wood-house ocoupylng two- thirds of the rear line ot tbe lot.

It was la tbe wood-house tbe murderer IT.CC8ID THE AX with wblch he killed Mr.Stlllwell. and through tbe wood-house be passed after tbe ax bad been used. Ihosa are the anrronndings. Here Is the storv. On the nlabt of Saturday, Deo.

S8( 18S8. Mr. Stillwell and bis fe sttended nartv slven bv Mr. and Mrs. W.

A. Munger on North Fifth street, about two blocks from tbeir home. 1 here were a number of guests tbere, and of the number one was Dr. Joseph C. Hearn, the fctillwelle' family physician, and a frequent visitor to their house.

Ibere was aome euchre, aad Mrs. stillwell won tbe Drat nrlze. At 12 o'clock, or abont tbat time, tbe guests laft tbe Manner house. Mr. Stillwell.

who vsrv seldom went uut at nlsbt. and wben he did waa usually sorry for It after ward, iiiti everv Indication of bav in aaloved tne evening. Mrs. Still well said afterward tbat ea their return be talked of blanleasure In tbe ontina, pralaed har dress and aaid aome nice thlnss about Tbere bad been aome a ays Daiore serions disagreement at the breakfast table in which a nnffaa cutj bad been broken. ana sirs Cimweu was uayieesew air astvun THE BTILLWELL HOUSE.

The murder was committed In the second room oa the second floor, the murderer passed, is shown in tne rear of the bouse. she opened ber eyes and saw the figure of a man with arms upraised, holding an ax There was a whizzing noise, the ax grated as it crushed through the skull on which the strong arms of the brutal mur derer burled it. Mrs. Stillwell said she thou ht she wouid be the next to die and sbe covered ber bend and fainted. When she revived she took Earl in her arns and hurried out of the room.

A servant was sent for Harold, and then Mrs. Stillwell ran down tb stairs, bare footed, and clad oaly in her night areas. Across the street to tne house' of Mr. League. sue rang the bell violently, then hurried next door to Dr.

Allen's house. When the neighbors were awakened, she said to them: "Mr. Stillwell baa been murdered and is lying in a pool of nis own Diooa. StillweU's bouse was soon filled with people and Mrs. Stillwell asked that Dr.

Hairs be sent for, and then fell Into a peculiar cata leptic state which was not an unusual occur rence. Dr. Allen and Mr. Leoyae found the body on the bed. It was already growing coia.

A ligbtea canaie naa been placed by someone in the bow window. and chairs had been put between the bed of death and the children's bed. Mrs. Stillwell said she did It to keep the children from seeing their father. Mr.

Richard Stillwell, a son by a former marriage, was sent for and came to the house. The Coroner arrived and itupannelled a jurv. Mr. Munger was one of the Jurors. The Coroner The wood-house, through which was new to bis basinets and the examination was not thorough.

The bag of family silver waa found in Its accustomed place on the mantel. Mr. Stillwell'a trousers were on the floor at the foot of the bed. There was sliver In the pockets but the parse was missing. A search was begun.

On the stairway was lonnd a trail of burnt matches which led out into the yard and the wood shed. The bolted aud chained frontdoor had been opened. Kot door or window was scratched. The en trance of the murderer bad not been ob structed it it had not been facilitated Money was found scattered from the back door to the alley gate. The two-edged ax was mlsslna.

The alley gate was open, and a trail of silver coin or bills led to Church street. Less than HO was found Mr. Stillwell had drawn $50 from the omce that night and bad some money when be drew. Something more than S20 was missing. This is an Importan point and abould be remembered.

At th end of the trail of money the purse was found. little further on a board, newly torn from th shed of -which 11 was a part, was found. Look Ing through thff opening the ax, covered with coagulating blood, was found. Here the disooveries ended. At 5 o'clock In the morning It was found that the evidence of the crime, all save the body, bad been de stroyed.

The bedding had been removed and burned and the room cleaned up To this day it Is hot known who did it or who commanded that it should be done. The one who did it concealed th fact: there must have been a motive. Dr. Hearn ri-mained for aomi time attend Ing Mrs. Stillwell and it was several days be fore she was strong enough to give her test! mony.

This story Is the sum of all the evidence ob tained by the Coroner Jury, and the Grand juries which successsively Inquired Into tne esse, but Richard Stillwell wae determine to solve the mystery of bis father's dastard 1 murder, and wnn the tame unswerving de termination whloh controlled his father' action he entered upon this duty resolved to shield no one. Chicago detectives were em ployed, and they worked for montba on tb esse, but finally they gave it up. About a year alter the murder Mre. StlUwell and Dr. Heron were married.

A Hanmba paper printed a notice of tbe marriage and review ef ibe murder on tbe same pnge. 1 his was the state of affairs when the case was placed In the bands of Mr. Newcome who has managed It with masterly skill. TBI FIRST CLEW. And now It will be Interesting to learn and tell bow the story of tbe murder was worked oat, saa here let it be said that it tne state meats of the negressee Involved Involves others.

black or white, their statement are given only as the gave tbem. without the slightest Intention vouching for their truth. And it Is fair to add further that before a charge of ao fonl aa oflease la placed against any one, eommen justice demanas that the etorv be corrobo rated. Publication le now the best way to secure tble. In Hsnalbal there were two negro women who, although they worked for tbeir llveli bood.

did not bear irreproachable repnta- tions. One, for good reasons, will be referred Scene of tfi Murder. A -The Stillwell House. Dr. Hearn's Offlts.

United Brethren Church. Where tbe murderer hid tbe ax after the mur der. Wood-house In which the murderer found the as, snd throuiib wbkh he parsed after tbe murder. Indicates the trail of nonet from the wood-bouse door to biding place ef tbe ax (D). thla violation of tbe rules of etiquette served a good purpose.

Tbe old woman conld bear distinctly every. word that was said. She listened intently and was as to a hed at the horrible story sbe besrd told and discussed with shocking freedom. It was the story of tbe murder, and It waa rehearsed with such apparent accuracy that tbe old wssberwomsn became convinced that she bad discovered bow and why Amos J. Stillwell eame to hie death, and she determined to relate what aba had beard to some one In whom she could place reliance and from whom she could obtain advice.

Next morning ahe went to the house of lady for whom she had worked and told what she had beard. Tbe revelation fitted tbe suspicions which certain persons bad entertained and the lady lest no time lu com municating the story to those who had tbe investigation In charge. Then light began to break through the clouds and the mystery began to clear np. Cautiously Mr. Newcomb began to lay tne inreaas tnst were to form the strands of his net.

So. 1 left Hannibal soon after this and came to St. Louia. By skillful work alone tbe story she and Bertha Miller bad told place by piece In tbeir conversation according to tbe first clew was drawn from bar. It is a startling revelation that doublea the horror of tbe heartless butch- ety, and it is tbe story which, after mosinr of laoor, lea to an arrest yesteruay.

This Is ber stery, though not In ber words, and bear in mind tnat It bas only been corroborated by another woman, who was Involved as she wee Bertha Miller. There lived la Hannibal at that time negro named Stanley headrlck, who worked as a servant. Doatier. anytning ne coma si, and though his reputation was not good still he esrned a living uatu he feu sick, juis sick ness was severe, and ea ne had no money ne was In destitute aad forlorn circumstances. Dr.

Hearn was bis physician and through weeks of illness and penury Dr. Haarn suBDllea medical attentioa. food. lodging, in fact, supported htm. Stanley Kendrick was charred with haying committed a murder in Nebraska and waa wanted by the authontlea there.

Some people lu Hannibal knew tbla, bnt wbetuer this Information was ever used against lilm there the woman could not say. bendrlck recovered slowly, but when he got well be came to see this woman and offered ber Inducements to aid him In committing a erlme. Kendrick knew the woman well and their relations were Intimate. He did not tell ber exactly what be wanted, though he intimated that what he Intended to do was something desperate. Securing ber he also persuaded a negro who had been employed bv Stillwell to loin him ana through aim be secured tne assistance ot Bertha Miller, whose relations Diagram of the Second Floor Stilteell House, A Red In which Mr.

Stillwell was killed. The children's bed. Chair on wblcb Mr. Stillwell's clothes lav. Dresser oa which was the candle.

Mantel on wblcb the bag of silver lav. Chairs placed against the children's bed bj Mrs Etiuweu. Mollle's room. Servants' room. I.

Door through which Mrs. Stillwell pissed after (he murder, wbea the went to notify the neighbors. Door through which Mrs. Stillwell carried the children to the servants' room (K) before going to rouse me Beignoors. with Rhodes were of tbe same character as those which existed between No.

1 aad Hend rick. This was la December. 1888. sad aa tbe month wore cn they talked more trecly of their plana, and Hendrick finally told them tbat he Intended to Kill Mr. still well.

Tbey demanded to know wby They asked what Mrs. Stillwell had done to Mm. Nothlntr. be nn swered, but No. 1 aald.

be eald be bad been asked to de It and he waa coin te do It for the man whs aaked him. He was prepared to e-ler tbem Inducements to remain witb him as partners In tb devilish enterprise, and tbey did a desert him. last Kendrick notified tbem that the time the 29th ot bed arrived. It was oa 1 December tbat this Mr. btlllweira Docket-book.

-ibe total amount found was under J40j Pressing oa toward the Church atreet entrance to tbt alley, in which direction the trail of mane) led, one of the party swinging tbe lantern aaw tbat a plank bad been removed from a frame) barn and stood agalnat tbe side. Peer ing behind thla board lie found tbe double-edged ax with whicb tbe murder bad been committed. The ax was stained with blood snd was identified as tbe property of Mr. Stillwell. It was a very heavy weapon.

with a fairly abarpedge, and for several days. according to the testimony of one of the servants, had Iain almost entirely bidden under a beap of kindlinr in tbe wood-house. Kicnara n. stmweu eaia ue naa on saturaav evening given his father $50 at the pork- bouse. Mr, stillwell was accuBtomed to uraw aome money every Saturday night and on Sunday go to his farm across tbe river to pay his men.

Beside the $50 the son said be be- lieved bis father had some $15 or more. Though less tban $40 was found In tbe alley it has not been Deiievea irom those who have given the case tbe most careful atudy that the murderer kept any part ot tbe remainder. Not the slightest evidence was found anywhere in the bouse of an at tempt to seenre other booty than the money taken from the pants. and tne Dulkol tnat was thrown away. Apparentlv tbe robber bad not the slightest curiosity to Know whether there was anything of value In the bouse or not.

He did not open a drawer nor cupboard. Apparentlv be USED WO TOOLS TO DRAW BOLTS of any description. He did not make any Investigation of tbe drawing-room or dining-room for valuables. Even on doors he used no violence. The front door, whicb waa usu ally boited and barred beyond tbo possibility of skeleton keys or such tools being effective.

was wide open, airs. Miiiweu says, when sbe went down-stairs. The doors through tbe house and the back door were also open and no marks on any of them. Tbe matches scattered abont had evidently been lighted In bunches and bad been thrown away before tbe sulphur on tbeir tlpa bad eeaaed spluttering. 'l ne uoroner aummonea a jury or six ana David Babcock waa elected foreman.

Early ou Sunday morning, the morning of the murder, the Inquiry waa begun. Tbe physician were all examined, nr. Hearn eaia be haa left the party at Mr, Munger house (Mrf Munger was on the Coroner's Jury) at IT o'cloek. He bad gone to his office, wbich is on Broadway, between Fifth and Sixth streets. ana abuts on toe tttiiveu dscb yara.

Alter transacting aome business there be went to bis home at Bird aad sixth streets, from whence be was summoned to attend Mrs. Stillwell, who waa too ill to be examined. Drs. Allen and Gleaaon told what they bad seen, bow tbey bad found the body partially out of bed described the blooa eta ins tbe bed and tbe position tbe noay must nave oc cupied in relation to those stains before It waa either pulled partially out of bed or In tbe death agony bad thrown Itself. Tbe testimony of servants was taken, the finding of the matches, the unlocked doors.

the money and tbe bloody ax were got oa record, and then the Jury waa compelled to adjourn until such time as Mrs. btillwell could appear and be examined. Tbe funeral of Mr.Stlllwell on New Tear's Day, 18S9, attracted many hundred persons. Mrs. stillwell was connnea to ner room ana Dr.

Hearn told the persons In charge of tbe funeral that the stir Incident to tbat matter waa having a bad effect upon his patient. So tbe services were hurried through and the people got out of the honae. Five days after tbe murder Dr. Hearn, wbo had been In almost constant attendance on Mrs. Stillwell, announced tnat tbe Coroner'a Jury mte-bt examine her.

He gave this caution; That the lady was not well and was liable te swoon at any time. Tbe Jury assembled In the Stillwell residence and with crest caution the questions were propounded whiob drew out the widow'e story of her busbsnd's mnrder. Mre. Stillwell shoa-ed no algn of weakness or agitation nntll ber statement being com rile ted abe waa asked to sign It. Sbe walked acroas tbe room, mmmlmA hAraalf anil trknk thA nan.

'I'tiA lint part of her name was written quickly, but those near ber aaw ber wavering over the last part and hardly had ahe eomnlrted tbe signature when sbe fell to tbe floor fainting. These attacks of fs'ntnsss, often acoompaaied by rigidity of all the muscles and apparent total unconsciousness fer hours, were due to a serious injury wblch could only be cured by the use of tbe kn He. On Fridsyof tbe week of the murder Mrs. Stillwell, sceom-panted by Mre. K.H.

Stillwell and Dr. Hearn, went to Battle Creek, to have an operation performed. It waa heroically borne by Mrs. Stillwell without the aid ot anaesthetics, it is said. She was sway a monta or more, ant after ber return did not go Into aocletv at all.

trranaetneots had been maae to rent th house at her direction, aa abas wlabed to trevel aad remain away from Hrf nlbal for aome time. Before the houee occupied she cbaaged ber mind aad retara TH MARBXAOB. About a year after tbe card party frl wblea Mr. Stillwell bad gone home aocoatf witb bia wife aad bla fortune. Dr.

Joaeplf Beara and Mre. Fannie Stillwell were eg -ried. There were maay guesta P' among tketn were It. II. StltlwelV Nearly every person in oani ttBU' vtadiaf was st eeeti.

his bed at home. His wife and two little chll-'drsn were in the same room, sleeping Un another bed, when the murderer burled tne ax In the wealthy merchant's bead. Grand-Jury after another has investigated the murder, but every one has failed to find the slightest evidence on wblcb to base a charge against any one, and so the seasa--tlonal murder became and has continued a (sensational mystery, surrounded by strange incidents, which weave themselves into one jof the most complicated atorles of crime that has ever been told. The atory may be related here, but briefly, turn to the striking Incidents wbleh have brought forth the solution. Amos J.

btillwell was one of the most prom- vineas merenants oi nana iDai. ne was nia th year and bis wife Fannie btillwell, who waa twenty years younger, was a pretty and i captivating woman who had borne him three (children. Mollle, who was 14 years of age, was away from home. Harold, 8 years old, and Carl, 81 years, were asleep in the chamber where the bloody tragedy occurred on that tfrt. StillictU-ntarn.

fatal night. Mrs. Stillwell, with all her charms and motherhood, did not live happily with ber rjnnctllloua and exaciln husband. and but a few mornings before, the murder a dlaasrreement between them at the breakfast table grew Into a quarrel. But on the a Ight of the murder they were nartlcu-iarly loving.

Possibly the quarrel and reconciliation bad made an Impression on Mr. Stillwell, or It may have been simply bis humor, but at any rate be deoided to forego his nanal habit to remain at home in the evening and acoompaaied his wife to a eard party at the home of Dr. and Mra. A. Manser.

A Dleasant even ine- was spent. Mr. Btillwell was la a graoioas burner, and oa the wit to their home on Fifth atreet between Broadway and Cburefc street he complimented his wife on appearance. ur. Joseph Hearn, uhvslolan.

was also he Stillwella' fsmily the party. Reaching their house. Mrs. lwell weat at once to iu mat, aad tia At. a Till 0 WtU mi well rtmalaii twa aid aix A av.