Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1878 — A Human Tigress. [ARTICLE]

A Human Tigress.

The community here were startled today by developments showing that Mary Ann Jones, a maiden lady 76 years old, had been beaten to death by her sister, Mrs. Pceabe Atkinson, 78 years old, at Andover, a short distance from this city. The victim, who was infirm and crippled, died last week, but the facta attending her death have been carefully concealed * until to-day, when, instead of her dying in a fit, the police became convinced she was murdered. The sisters have for six years lived together in a house owned jointly by them in the town, and during the time Mrs. Atkinson had been excessively cruel toward her invalid sister. Neighbors have often interfered, but this only increased the fury of the aged tigress and the sufferings of her victim. A few days before Miss Jones’ death, Phoebe, armed with a short, stout cane, with a heavy knob on the end, clubbed her cn the head in a shocking manner. The victim, weak, and almost helpless, resisted as best she could, but the recreant assailant, with a ferocity almost inconceivable in one of her age, jumped upon her, and tore the hair from her head by the handful. The inhuman Phoebe renewed her assault during the same day, using a bottle and a thick umbrella handle, and only desisted in her devilish work when she found Mis > Jones insensible on the floor. For two days afterward she allowed the poor woman to lie on a cold floor utterly neglected, and then, discovering her victim was dying, suddenly disappeared. The body presented a terrible appearance. The head was covered with innumerable severe bruises and cuts, and the blood flowed from the nose and ears. The upper part of the body was most horrible, and plainly showed the extreme tortures which the woman had endured, and to escape which death must have been a relief. The bosom was covered with bruises, many of which had turned green, while her arms were completely covered with black-and-blue bruises. The skin was torn from the back, and the raw flesh, exposed to the cold and wet clothes she was allowed to lay in by the brutal sister for two days, must have caused the victim excruciating pain. No motive can be ascertained - for the deed except the murderess desired to possess the interest her victim had in the property. The women are of good parentage, and their property is free of incumbrances. Secreted in the house were $1,600 which Phcebe left behind, together with quite a number of shares of railroad stock.— Boston Post.