Cinderila's first husband George Green preceded her in death.
Cinderila died six months after her second husband S. S. Johnston, leaving two small boys to be cared for by family members. One daughter Winnie preceded her in death.
*******************************************************
Mexico Weekly Ledger
Mexico, Missouri, Thursday, September 7, 1882
Vol XXIV R. M. White, (Editor and Proprietor)
FATAL FAMILY FUSS!- - LOVE, JEALOUSY, DEATH -
- SAD SUNDAY SACRIFICE.
Whom God Hath Joined Together Let No Man Put Asunder
A Family Divided Both in this World and the Next
George A. Green Murders His Two Children and then Commits Suicide within an Hour.
The county Wild With Excitement. The Wife and Mother in danger of Death or Derangement. A Divorce and other Troubles Produce At Least Temporary Insanity.
One of the most horrible affairs that we have ever been called to read or write about, occurred in this county Sunday, and was thoroughly investigated by the editor of this paper in person.
As the town clock was striking- the hour of twelve, and the various ministers in this city were pronouncing their benedictions, Frank Goddard, who lives ten miles northeast of Mexico, came into town riding his horse at full speed and reported that George A. Green had murdered his two little children and then shot himself.
At the same time several men could be seen riding into town carrying rifles, shot-guns and pistols. They were looking for George A. Green, who had murdered his children. At that time they did not know that Green had killed himself.
There were several squads of men out looking for Green, although he did not know it. He killed his children at about 9 a. m., and shot himself at 10:30 a.m. after riding six miles from the scene of his double murder. The history of the case is about as follows, as gleaned by personal interviews with parties who were present:
At the spring term of the circuit court of this county, Mrs. George A. Green, who is a daughter of Major Bybee, brought suit for divorce from her husband, George A. Green, on the ground of desertion. There was much testimony pro and con, but the divorce was granted. The two children were given to the mother, with the understanding that the husband should see them twice a month. The wife went home to her father. The husband has been living on Bean creek about 11 miles northeast of Mexico. Sunday was one of the allotted times for the husband to see
his children. They were to be taken to a neighbor's named John Blankenbaker, where Green was to come and see them. The mother, as usual, dressed them in their best clothes and sent them over to see their papa. They were to go from Blankenbaker's to Sunday school. Instead of this they went to Heaven. Green staid Saturday night at Wm Roberts' and slept with his brother John Green, or rather staid in the same bed with him; but John testifies that George did not sleep much that night,, or any other night, but has been very restless, and has often acted strangely. No one ever heard George make any threats, except that he would kill John Asbury, of whom he appeared to be jealous, and he also often said he did not propose for Maj. Bybee to raise his children, for they would not. be well thought of. Sunday morning he did not eat any breakfast, but told the folks he was going to see his children for the last time, as he was going to Texas Monday. He rode over to Blankenbaker's and arrived there about 8 a.m., and waited for the children to come over. He appeared quite morose and nervous.
When the children arrived he took them both in his lap, and kissed and caressed them for an hour. They then told him they must go to Sunday school. Green went out to the fence, as they thought to put the children up on the horses for Mr. Blankenbaker to take away. They all went out to the fence. Mr. Blankenbaker started to get on his horse to receive the children, when he heard the report of a pistol, and, turning around, he saw that Green had shot his daughter Edith, aged six years. She was on her stomach crying, and trying to crawl away from her father. Green immediately shot his son Baxter, aged 3 years, who also fell on the ground. He then turned and shot his daughter again, this time in the back, as
she lay on the ground, writhing in agony, lie then shot his son again, this time in the stomach, the first time in the breast. He then, proceeded to reload his pistol, which was a large horse pistol, 18 inches long, carrying two balls to the barrell, and told Blankenbaker to go and tell Bybee that he had killed Edith and Baxter and was going to shoot himself. He then, mounted his horse and rode away.
Mrs. B. ran out and took the children in the house. They lived about 10 minutes, but could not speak. The little baby's clothing had caught fire from the powder, and she put it out with a bucket of water; They had not stopped breathing when she got them in the house, but immediately expired.
Green rode at break-neck speed southeast. He met with Hendrix and told him he had killed his children and was going to shoot himself. Hendrix did not believe him. He rode on and just before he got to j Frank Goddard's he passed his brother "John Green and Mr. Willingham. ; He was riding fast. He got about 300 yards ahead, when he stopped his horse, dismounted, took off the saddle, bridle and his coat. He stood in the middle of the road and called lout to his brother and Mr. W. "come on boys." He then took his pistol from his belt and put the barrel in his mouth and fired. He fell over in the road, and lived about 30 minutes, but never spoke or opened his eyes. In a few moments parties with guns and rifles arrived on horseback looking for him and were much surprised that he had shot himself, and saved them what they had evidently started out to do.
When we arrived at the scene about an hour later, the coroner summoned the following jury : W. Roberts, C. Coil, J. Bybee, O. Kunkle, Win. Bryerly, J. Dowcll.
The jury brought in a verdict to the effect that George A. Green had shot himself, from which wound he came to his death. The body was turned over to Mr. John Green, who had it interred Monday. The whole country was excited and a large number of persons were present. We at once drove over to Mr. Blankenbaker's where the children were, and found a large crowd also present there.
The following jury was then summoned : Iv. M. White, clerk; W. R. Dudley, foreman; J. Spotswood, Tom Hendrix, L M. Hendrix, Wm. Pratt. This jury brought in a verdict that the children came to their death from pistol shots from the hand of their father, George A. Green. The children were laying side by side on the bed, clad in their Sunday school clothes, and were even more beautiful in death than in life. Their faces were not at all marred, but were in perfect repose. They looked as though they even in death remmembered their inhuman father's last caresses. The mother, who only lived half a mile away, was in bed prostrated, with two physicians attending her. She received the terrible news suddenly and unexpectedly, and it came near killing her. The doctors thought they would keep life in her, but the great danger is that she will lose her mind under this terrible tripple calamity.
Saturday night, several times during the night, Geo. A. Green cried and sobbed, and did not sleep at all. Sunday morning before going to meet his children he had a long crying spell and said he would go and see his children and then leave for Texas. He was very much incensed a few weeks since, when Bybee would not let him take the children to his mother's. He went to town and got a copy of the court record, which stated that he could see his children twice a month. He has been in a worse humor since this with Bybee than before. In our opinion Green was not in his right mind, for we don't think any sane man could act as he did. After he had shot his children there was apparently no alternative left except suicide.
Nothing short of a clear proof of insanity could have saved him from the gallows. He was about 30 years old, and a farmer with a good face and not a bad reputation. In his pocket was found pictures of his wife and two children; also a scrap of writing, which was as follows:
“Consult with your Maker and ask forgiveness. I have asked forgiveness. We can't be friends on earth, but will be in Heaved." There was no date to this, and, perhaps, no point. When writing it he was evidently thinking of his wife, whom he dearly loved.
Family troubles should always be discouraged instead of fostered and cultivated, as the troubles in this family evidently were. An unhappy marriage was the cause of this great trouble, which has already resulted in two murders and one
suicide in a single day; Lessons should lie learned and warnings taken from jail such terrible results. We have given the correct facts in this case after close and careful investigation, and we hope it will be many years before we again have such sad news to chronicle.
Provided by: State Hisorical Society of Missouri; Columbia, MO
http://goo.gl/c8MZIj
Cinderila died six months after her second husband S. S. Johnston, leaving two small boys to be cared for by family members. One daughter Winnie preceded her in death.
*******************************************************
Mexico Weekly Ledger
Mexico, Missouri, Thursday, September 7, 1882
Vol XXIV R. M. White, (Editor and Proprietor)
FATAL FAMILY FUSS!- - LOVE, JEALOUSY, DEATH -
- SAD SUNDAY SACRIFICE.
Whom God Hath Joined Together Let No Man Put Asunder
A Family Divided Both in this World and the Next
George A. Green Murders His Two Children and then Commits Suicide within an Hour.
The county Wild With Excitement. The Wife and Mother in danger of Death or Derangement. A Divorce and other Troubles Produce At Least Temporary Insanity.
One of the most horrible affairs that we have ever been called to read or write about, occurred in this county Sunday, and was thoroughly investigated by the editor of this paper in person.
As the town clock was striking- the hour of twelve, and the various ministers in this city were pronouncing their benedictions, Frank Goddard, who lives ten miles northeast of Mexico, came into town riding his horse at full speed and reported that George A. Green had murdered his two little children and then shot himself.
At the same time several men could be seen riding into town carrying rifles, shot-guns and pistols. They were looking for George A. Green, who had murdered his children. At that time they did not know that Green had killed himself.
There were several squads of men out looking for Green, although he did not know it. He killed his children at about 9 a. m., and shot himself at 10:30 a.m. after riding six miles from the scene of his double murder. The history of the case is about as follows, as gleaned by personal interviews with parties who were present:
At the spring term of the circuit court of this county, Mrs. George A. Green, who is a daughter of Major Bybee, brought suit for divorce from her husband, George A. Green, on the ground of desertion. There was much testimony pro and con, but the divorce was granted. The two children were given to the mother, with the understanding that the husband should see them twice a month. The wife went home to her father. The husband has been living on Bean creek about 11 miles northeast of Mexico. Sunday was one of the allotted times for the husband to see
his children. They were to be taken to a neighbor's named John Blankenbaker, where Green was to come and see them. The mother, as usual, dressed them in their best clothes and sent them over to see their papa. They were to go from Blankenbaker's to Sunday school. Instead of this they went to Heaven. Green staid Saturday night at Wm Roberts' and slept with his brother John Green, or rather staid in the same bed with him; but John testifies that George did not sleep much that night,, or any other night, but has been very restless, and has often acted strangely. No one ever heard George make any threats, except that he would kill John Asbury, of whom he appeared to be jealous, and he also often said he did not propose for Maj. Bybee to raise his children, for they would not. be well thought of. Sunday morning he did not eat any breakfast, but told the folks he was going to see his children for the last time, as he was going to Texas Monday. He rode over to Blankenbaker's and arrived there about 8 a.m., and waited for the children to come over. He appeared quite morose and nervous.
When the children arrived he took them both in his lap, and kissed and caressed them for an hour. They then told him they must go to Sunday school. Green went out to the fence, as they thought to put the children up on the horses for Mr. Blankenbaker to take away. They all went out to the fence. Mr. Blankenbaker started to get on his horse to receive the children, when he heard the report of a pistol, and, turning around, he saw that Green had shot his daughter Edith, aged six years. She was on her stomach crying, and trying to crawl away from her father. Green immediately shot his son Baxter, aged 3 years, who also fell on the ground. He then turned and shot his daughter again, this time in the back, as
she lay on the ground, writhing in agony, lie then shot his son again, this time in the stomach, the first time in the breast. He then, proceeded to reload his pistol, which was a large horse pistol, 18 inches long, carrying two balls to the barrell, and told Blankenbaker to go and tell Bybee that he had killed Edith and Baxter and was going to shoot himself. He then, mounted his horse and rode away.
Mrs. B. ran out and took the children in the house. They lived about 10 minutes, but could not speak. The little baby's clothing had caught fire from the powder, and she put it out with a bucket of water; They had not stopped breathing when she got them in the house, but immediately expired.
Green rode at break-neck speed southeast. He met with Hendrix and told him he had killed his children and was going to shoot himself. Hendrix did not believe him. He rode on and just before he got to j Frank Goddard's he passed his brother "John Green and Mr. Willingham. ; He was riding fast. He got about 300 yards ahead, when he stopped his horse, dismounted, took off the saddle, bridle and his coat. He stood in the middle of the road and called lout to his brother and Mr. W. "come on boys." He then took his pistol from his belt and put the barrel in his mouth and fired. He fell over in the road, and lived about 30 minutes, but never spoke or opened his eyes. In a few moments parties with guns and rifles arrived on horseback looking for him and were much surprised that he had shot himself, and saved them what they had evidently started out to do.
When we arrived at the scene about an hour later, the coroner summoned the following jury : W. Roberts, C. Coil, J. Bybee, O. Kunkle, Win. Bryerly, J. Dowcll.
The jury brought in a verdict to the effect that George A. Green had shot himself, from which wound he came to his death. The body was turned over to Mr. John Green, who had it interred Monday. The whole country was excited and a large number of persons were present. We at once drove over to Mr. Blankenbaker's where the children were, and found a large crowd also present there.
The following jury was then summoned : Iv. M. White, clerk; W. R. Dudley, foreman; J. Spotswood, Tom Hendrix, L M. Hendrix, Wm. Pratt. This jury brought in a verdict that the children came to their death from pistol shots from the hand of their father, George A. Green. The children were laying side by side on the bed, clad in their Sunday school clothes, and were even more beautiful in death than in life. Their faces were not at all marred, but were in perfect repose. They looked as though they even in death remmembered their inhuman father's last caresses. The mother, who only lived half a mile away, was in bed prostrated, with two physicians attending her. She received the terrible news suddenly and unexpectedly, and it came near killing her. The doctors thought they would keep life in her, but the great danger is that she will lose her mind under this terrible tripple calamity.
Saturday night, several times during the night, Geo. A. Green cried and sobbed, and did not sleep at all. Sunday morning before going to meet his children he had a long crying spell and said he would go and see his children and then leave for Texas. He was very much incensed a few weeks since, when Bybee would not let him take the children to his mother's. He went to town and got a copy of the court record, which stated that he could see his children twice a month. He has been in a worse humor since this with Bybee than before. In our opinion Green was not in his right mind, for we don't think any sane man could act as he did. After he had shot his children there was apparently no alternative left except suicide.
Nothing short of a clear proof of insanity could have saved him from the gallows. He was about 30 years old, and a farmer with a good face and not a bad reputation. In his pocket was found pictures of his wife and two children; also a scrap of writing, which was as follows:
“Consult with your Maker and ask forgiveness. I have asked forgiveness. We can't be friends on earth, but will be in Heaved." There was no date to this, and, perhaps, no point. When writing it he was evidently thinking of his wife, whom he dearly loved.
Family troubles should always be discouraged instead of fostered and cultivated, as the troubles in this family evidently were. An unhappy marriage was the cause of this great trouble, which has already resulted in two murders and one
suicide in a single day; Lessons should lie learned and warnings taken from jail such terrible results. We have given the correct facts in this case after close and careful investigation, and we hope it will be many years before we again have such sad news to chronicle.
Provided by: State Hisorical Society of Missouri; Columbia, MO
http://goo.gl/c8MZIj
Cinderila's first husband George Green preceded her in death.
Cinderila died six months after her second husband S. S. Johnston, leaving two small boys to be cared for by family members. One daughter Winnie preceded her in death.
*******************************************************
Mexico Weekly Ledger
Mexico, Missouri, Thursday, September 7, 1882
Vol XXIV R. M. White, (Editor and Proprietor)
FATAL FAMILY FUSS!- - LOVE, JEALOUSY, DEATH -
- SAD SUNDAY SACRIFICE.
Whom God Hath Joined Together Let No Man Put Asunder
A Family Divided Both in this World and the Next
George A. Green Murders His Two Children and then Commits Suicide within an Hour.
The county Wild With Excitement. The Wife and Mother in danger of Death or Derangement. A Divorce and other Troubles Produce At Least Temporary Insanity.
One of the most horrible affairs that we have ever been called to read or write about, occurred in this county Sunday, and was thoroughly investigated by the editor of this paper in person.
As the town clock was striking- the hour of twelve, and the various ministers in this city were pronouncing their benedictions, Frank Goddard, who lives ten miles northeast of Mexico, came into town riding his horse at full speed and reported that George A. Green had murdered his two little children and then shot himself.
At the same time several men could be seen riding into town carrying rifles, shot-guns and pistols. They were looking for George A. Green, who had murdered his children. At that time they did not know that Green had killed himself.
There were several squads of men out looking for Green, although he did not know it. He killed his children at about 9 a. m., and shot himself at 10:30 a.m. after riding six miles from the scene of his double murder. The history of the case is about as follows, as gleaned by personal interviews with parties who were present:
At the spring term of the circuit court of this county, Mrs. George A. Green, who is a daughter of Major Bybee, brought suit for divorce from her husband, George A. Green, on the ground of desertion. There was much testimony pro and con, but the divorce was granted. The two children were given to the mother, with the understanding that the husband should see them twice a month. The wife went home to her father. The husband has been living on Bean creek about 11 miles northeast of Mexico. Sunday was one of the allotted times for the husband to see
his children. They were to be taken to a neighbor's named John Blankenbaker, where Green was to come and see them. The mother, as usual, dressed them in their best clothes and sent them over to see their papa. They were to go from Blankenbaker's to Sunday school. Instead of this they went to Heaven. Green staid Saturday night at Wm Roberts' and slept with his brother John Green, or rather staid in the same bed with him; but John testifies that George did not sleep much that night,, or any other night, but has been very restless, and has often acted strangely. No one ever heard George make any threats, except that he would kill John Asbury, of whom he appeared to be jealous, and he also often said he did not propose for Maj. Bybee to raise his children, for they would not. be well thought of. Sunday morning he did not eat any breakfast, but told the folks he was going to see his children for the last time, as he was going to Texas Monday. He rode over to Blankenbaker's and arrived there about 8 a.m., and waited for the children to come over. He appeared quite morose and nervous.
When the children arrived he took them both in his lap, and kissed and caressed them for an hour. They then told him they must go to Sunday school. Green went out to the fence, as they thought to put the children up on the horses for Mr. Blankenbaker to take away. They all went out to the fence. Mr. Blankenbaker started to get on his horse to receive the children, when he heard the report of a pistol, and, turning around, he saw that Green had shot his daughter Edith, aged six years. She was on her stomach crying, and trying to crawl away from her father. Green immediately shot his son Baxter, aged 3 years, who also fell on the ground. He then turned and shot his daughter again, this time in the back, as
she lay on the ground, writhing in agony, lie then shot his son again, this time in the stomach, the first time in the breast. He then, proceeded to reload his pistol, which was a large horse pistol, 18 inches long, carrying two balls to the barrell, and told Blankenbaker to go and tell Bybee that he had killed Edith and Baxter and was going to shoot himself. He then, mounted his horse and rode away.
Mrs. B. ran out and took the children in the house. They lived about 10 minutes, but could not speak. The little baby's clothing had caught fire from the powder, and she put it out with a bucket of water; They had not stopped breathing when she got them in the house, but immediately expired.
Green rode at break-neck speed southeast. He met with Hendrix and told him he had killed his children and was going to shoot himself. Hendrix did not believe him. He rode on and just before he got to j Frank Goddard's he passed his brother "John Green and Mr. Willingham. ; He was riding fast. He got about 300 yards ahead, when he stopped his horse, dismounted, took off the saddle, bridle and his coat. He stood in the middle of the road and called lout to his brother and Mr. W. "come on boys." He then took his pistol from his belt and put the barrel in his mouth and fired. He fell over in the road, and lived about 30 minutes, but never spoke or opened his eyes. In a few moments parties with guns and rifles arrived on horseback looking for him and were much surprised that he had shot himself, and saved them what they had evidently started out to do.
When we arrived at the scene about an hour later, the coroner summoned the following jury : W. Roberts, C. Coil, J. Bybee, O. Kunkle, Win. Bryerly, J. Dowcll.
The jury brought in a verdict to the effect that George A. Green had shot himself, from which wound he came to his death. The body was turned over to Mr. John Green, who had it interred Monday. The whole country was excited and a large number of persons were present. We at once drove over to Mr. Blankenbaker's where the children were, and found a large crowd also present there.
The following jury was then summoned : Iv. M. White, clerk; W. R. Dudley, foreman; J. Spotswood, Tom Hendrix, L M. Hendrix, Wm. Pratt. This jury brought in a verdict that the children came to their death from pistol shots from the hand of their father, George A. Green. The children were laying side by side on the bed, clad in their Sunday school clothes, and were even more beautiful in death than in life. Their faces were not at all marred, but were in perfect repose. They looked as though they even in death remmembered their inhuman father's last caresses. The mother, who only lived half a mile away, was in bed prostrated, with two physicians attending her. She received the terrible news suddenly and unexpectedly, and it came near killing her. The doctors thought they would keep life in her, but the great danger is that she will lose her mind under this terrible tripple calamity.
Saturday night, several times during the night, Geo. A. Green cried and sobbed, and did not sleep at all. Sunday morning before going to meet his children he had a long crying spell and said he would go and see his children and then leave for Texas. He was very much incensed a few weeks since, when Bybee would not let him take the children to his mother's. He went to town and got a copy of the court record, which stated that he could see his children twice a month. He has been in a worse humor since this with Bybee than before. In our opinion Green was not in his right mind, for we don't think any sane man could act as he did. After he had shot his children there was apparently no alternative left except suicide.
Nothing short of a clear proof of insanity could have saved him from the gallows. He was about 30 years old, and a farmer with a good face and not a bad reputation. In his pocket was found pictures of his wife and two children; also a scrap of writing, which was as follows:
“Consult with your Maker and ask forgiveness. I have asked forgiveness. We can't be friends on earth, but will be in Heaved." There was no date to this, and, perhaps, no point. When writing it he was evidently thinking of his wife, whom he dearly loved.
Family troubles should always be discouraged instead of fostered and cultivated, as the troubles in this family evidently were. An unhappy marriage was the cause of this great trouble, which has already resulted in two murders and one
suicide in a single day; Lessons should lie learned and warnings taken from jail such terrible results. We have given the correct facts in this case after close and careful investigation, and we hope it will be many years before we again have such sad news to chronicle.
Provided by: State Hisorical Society of Missouri; Columbia, MO
http://goo.gl/c8MZIj
Cinderila died six months after her second husband S. S. Johnston, leaving two small boys to be cared for by family members. One daughter Winnie preceded her in death.
*******************************************************
Mexico Weekly Ledger
Mexico, Missouri, Thursday, September 7, 1882
Vol XXIV R. M. White, (Editor and Proprietor)
FATAL FAMILY FUSS!- - LOVE, JEALOUSY, DEATH -
- SAD SUNDAY SACRIFICE.
Whom God Hath Joined Together Let No Man Put Asunder
A Family Divided Both in this World and the Next
George A. Green Murders His Two Children and then Commits Suicide within an Hour.
The county Wild With Excitement. The Wife and Mother in danger of Death or Derangement. A Divorce and other Troubles Produce At Least Temporary Insanity.
One of the most horrible affairs that we have ever been called to read or write about, occurred in this county Sunday, and was thoroughly investigated by the editor of this paper in person.
As the town clock was striking- the hour of twelve, and the various ministers in this city were pronouncing their benedictions, Frank Goddard, who lives ten miles northeast of Mexico, came into town riding his horse at full speed and reported that George A. Green had murdered his two little children and then shot himself.
At the same time several men could be seen riding into town carrying rifles, shot-guns and pistols. They were looking for George A. Green, who had murdered his children. At that time they did not know that Green had killed himself.
There were several squads of men out looking for Green, although he did not know it. He killed his children at about 9 a. m., and shot himself at 10:30 a.m. after riding six miles from the scene of his double murder. The history of the case is about as follows, as gleaned by personal interviews with parties who were present:
At the spring term of the circuit court of this county, Mrs. George A. Green, who is a daughter of Major Bybee, brought suit for divorce from her husband, George A. Green, on the ground of desertion. There was much testimony pro and con, but the divorce was granted. The two children were given to the mother, with the understanding that the husband should see them twice a month. The wife went home to her father. The husband has been living on Bean creek about 11 miles northeast of Mexico. Sunday was one of the allotted times for the husband to see
his children. They were to be taken to a neighbor's named John Blankenbaker, where Green was to come and see them. The mother, as usual, dressed them in their best clothes and sent them over to see their papa. They were to go from Blankenbaker's to Sunday school. Instead of this they went to Heaven. Green staid Saturday night at Wm Roberts' and slept with his brother John Green, or rather staid in the same bed with him; but John testifies that George did not sleep much that night,, or any other night, but has been very restless, and has often acted strangely. No one ever heard George make any threats, except that he would kill John Asbury, of whom he appeared to be jealous, and he also often said he did not propose for Maj. Bybee to raise his children, for they would not. be well thought of. Sunday morning he did not eat any breakfast, but told the folks he was going to see his children for the last time, as he was going to Texas Monday. He rode over to Blankenbaker's and arrived there about 8 a.m., and waited for the children to come over. He appeared quite morose and nervous.
When the children arrived he took them both in his lap, and kissed and caressed them for an hour. They then told him they must go to Sunday school. Green went out to the fence, as they thought to put the children up on the horses for Mr. Blankenbaker to take away. They all went out to the fence. Mr. Blankenbaker started to get on his horse to receive the children, when he heard the report of a pistol, and, turning around, he saw that Green had shot his daughter Edith, aged six years. She was on her stomach crying, and trying to crawl away from her father. Green immediately shot his son Baxter, aged 3 years, who also fell on the ground. He then turned and shot his daughter again, this time in the back, as
she lay on the ground, writhing in agony, lie then shot his son again, this time in the stomach, the first time in the breast. He then, proceeded to reload his pistol, which was a large horse pistol, 18 inches long, carrying two balls to the barrell, and told Blankenbaker to go and tell Bybee that he had killed Edith and Baxter and was going to shoot himself. He then, mounted his horse and rode away.
Mrs. B. ran out and took the children in the house. They lived about 10 minutes, but could not speak. The little baby's clothing had caught fire from the powder, and she put it out with a bucket of water; They had not stopped breathing when she got them in the house, but immediately expired.
Green rode at break-neck speed southeast. He met with Hendrix and told him he had killed his children and was going to shoot himself. Hendrix did not believe him. He rode on and just before he got to j Frank Goddard's he passed his brother "John Green and Mr. Willingham. ; He was riding fast. He got about 300 yards ahead, when he stopped his horse, dismounted, took off the saddle, bridle and his coat. He stood in the middle of the road and called lout to his brother and Mr. W. "come on boys." He then took his pistol from his belt and put the barrel in his mouth and fired. He fell over in the road, and lived about 30 minutes, but never spoke or opened his eyes. In a few moments parties with guns and rifles arrived on horseback looking for him and were much surprised that he had shot himself, and saved them what they had evidently started out to do.
When we arrived at the scene about an hour later, the coroner summoned the following jury : W. Roberts, C. Coil, J. Bybee, O. Kunkle, Win. Bryerly, J. Dowcll.
The jury brought in a verdict to the effect that George A. Green had shot himself, from which wound he came to his death. The body was turned over to Mr. John Green, who had it interred Monday. The whole country was excited and a large number of persons were present. We at once drove over to Mr. Blankenbaker's where the children were, and found a large crowd also present there.
The following jury was then summoned : Iv. M. White, clerk; W. R. Dudley, foreman; J. Spotswood, Tom Hendrix, L M. Hendrix, Wm. Pratt. This jury brought in a verdict that the children came to their death from pistol shots from the hand of their father, George A. Green. The children were laying side by side on the bed, clad in their Sunday school clothes, and were even more beautiful in death than in life. Their faces were not at all marred, but were in perfect repose. They looked as though they even in death remmembered their inhuman father's last caresses. The mother, who only lived half a mile away, was in bed prostrated, with two physicians attending her. She received the terrible news suddenly and unexpectedly, and it came near killing her. The doctors thought they would keep life in her, but the great danger is that she will lose her mind under this terrible tripple calamity.
Saturday night, several times during the night, Geo. A. Green cried and sobbed, and did not sleep at all. Sunday morning before going to meet his children he had a long crying spell and said he would go and see his children and then leave for Texas. He was very much incensed a few weeks since, when Bybee would not let him take the children to his mother's. He went to town and got a copy of the court record, which stated that he could see his children twice a month. He has been in a worse humor since this with Bybee than before. In our opinion Green was not in his right mind, for we don't think any sane man could act as he did. After he had shot his children there was apparently no alternative left except suicide.
Nothing short of a clear proof of insanity could have saved him from the gallows. He was about 30 years old, and a farmer with a good face and not a bad reputation. In his pocket was found pictures of his wife and two children; also a scrap of writing, which was as follows:
“Consult with your Maker and ask forgiveness. I have asked forgiveness. We can't be friends on earth, but will be in Heaved." There was no date to this, and, perhaps, no point. When writing it he was evidently thinking of his wife, whom he dearly loved.
Family troubles should always be discouraged instead of fostered and cultivated, as the troubles in this family evidently were. An unhappy marriage was the cause of this great trouble, which has already resulted in two murders and one
suicide in a single day; Lessons should lie learned and warnings taken from jail such terrible results. We have given the correct facts in this case after close and careful investigation, and we hope it will be many years before we again have such sad news to chronicle.
Provided by: State Hisorical Society of Missouri; Columbia, MO
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