Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 August 1901 — ACCUSES FATHER OF MURDER. [ARTICLE]

ACCUSES FATHER OF MURDER.

Jesse Parcell Causes Parent’s Arrest at Washington, Ind. The coroner’s investigation at Washington, Ind., has confirmed the story of Jesse Purcell, the 14-y ear-old son of Frank Purcell, that his mother died from the brutality of her husband and not from heart disease, as claimed by his father, The boy’s story of how Mrs. Purcell went to the barn in order not to see her daughter, Miss Nettie, and Noah Sutherland leave for the parsonage to be married and was followed by her husband, who, after abusing and cursing her, struck the defenseless woman twice with his fist in the back and kicked her several times in the abdomen with his foot, was confirmed. The postmortem examination showed that the spleen had been burst by the terrific kicks and the abdominal cavity filled with blood. A terrible story of brutal assaults and attacks was revealed. Frequently Purcell is alleged to have held a loaded revolver at his wife’s or daughter’s head, threatening to kill them. Purcell was arrested and charged with murder. The accused is a brother of George Purcell of the national executive board of United Mineworkers.