Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1903 — A DOUBLE TRAGEDY [ARTICLE]

A DOUBLE TRAGEDY

Charles Medworth, Near It, Ayr, Murdered and His Morderer Commits Sncide. The Murderer Also Set Fire to the House and Both Bodies Were Bunted. Just aB we go to press news reaches us of a terrible affair in Newton Co., Charles Medworth, who lived on a rented farm, 2J miles southwest from Mt. Ayr, was shot and killed by his hired man at noon Monday. The map, who was believed to have been also badly wounded followed Medworth into the house, and set fire to it; and both bis and Medworth’s bodies were thought to have been consumed.

Later: Fuller particulars have been received: The hired man who was a very peouliar character, had worked for Medworth over three years but would never give his last name, but was called John. He went away about 10 days ago, and returned Monday. He and Medworth sat on the poroh and presumably quarrelled about a settlement.

Mr. Miller, another hired man was grinding a sickle. He heard two shots, and went to the bouse. John threatened to kill him if he did not go away, as he said be was going to kill Med worth. * Miller went to a neighbors nuned Brown. Mrs Brown came to the house, whioh was then burning John was at an up-stairs window oovered with blood. Mrs. Brown spoke and told him to come out or he would get burned up. He disappeared from the window, but made no ahswer. When the ashes of the house were searched the bodies of both Medworth and John were found in the house. John’s head, arms,

feet and most of one leg were burned off. A revolver was fohnd near him He doubtless shot Medworth and then himself, but was able to get to the window after he was shot.

Medworth’s body was not badly burned. He bad no weapons at all. His wife, who was away with the two ohildren, was taken to Mr. BrowU’s residence and is reported in a oritioal condition from the shock. Medworth was a brother-in-law of Nate Keen, who lives in Rensselaer, north of the railroad.