Murder At Pontiac

Mrs. Elizabeth Maddock, an old woman, was murdered Saturday night last on one of the principal streets of Pontiac. The tragedy took place near the center of the third ward and but a short distance from the glare of the electric light. Near the north end of Douglas street and not over a hundred feet of the new stone bridge, lived Ephraim and Elizabeth Maddock, age 69 and 63, respectively. They were poor, respectable, frugal citizens, who had lived there for nearly a half century, Saturday night they left their home to purchase groceries and other necessaries of life, stopping at the barracks of the salvation army of which they are both members and at the home of their son Ephraim, who lives but a short distance from them. When they were about ready to depart the old lady discovered she had forgotten the bread. Her husband wanted to get it, but she declared "NO, I'll get it,"and started back. It was then 9:30 o'clock. Her husband went home to build a fire. Mrs Maddock went to TOynton's Bakery, a distance of about seven blocks and purchased the bread. She there met her daughter, Mrs. McHarness. It was about 10:15 when the old lady bade her daughter good night and started for home. At 10:30 William Hatz, a neighbor and James Nelly, engineer at Pratt's laundry, discovered the prostrate form of the old lady stretched across the walk in front of a house on Huron street, about 200 feet from Union street, and the same distance from the electric light, life was extinct. Mrs. Maddock was badly bruised and her skull was crushed in front. Undertaker Kelly discovered to the left of center and back of her head, a wound three inches across, crushing the skull sufficient to cause death. It was also discovered that her pocketbook, containing $5 or $6 was gone, and it is supposed that she was murdered for money. Sheriff Killam called a jury. they viewed the scene of the murder, which was covered with blood, and that the body and adjourned to Thursday. There is little if any doubt that someone saw the money displayed by the old lady, sometime during the evening. Three times she opened her purse, one at Webb's meat market, again at the salvation army, and at Toynton's bakery. Mr. Toynton says that no suspicious characters were in the store at the time she hade the purchase, but it quite certain that she was followed from there. The instrument that the assassin used must have been a heavy one judging from the terrible results produced. The officers have been very diligent but there is not the slightest clue to work from. Sheriff Killam was advised by a colored man to watch Harry Wect, a colored boy about 18 years old, who has just returned from Ionia, where he has been serving a term for robbery. He called at the house of Mrs. West, grandmother of Harry. Monday, and inquired for Harry, who put in an appearance shortly afterwards. When asked what time he got home Saturday night, he said about 6:30 or 7 o'clock. He was then taken in charge by the officers and is in jail. It is claimed on authority that he was seen with another colored man looking into the bakery wehn Mrs. Maddock purchased the bread, and was in the vicinity of where the crime was committed, and again about 11 o'clock in a saloon spending money for drinks. His grandmother when asked wat time Harry had come in Saturday night, she said she could not tell, but about 9 o'clock, she thought. west has always been known as a tough character. At a meeting of the Pontiac common council Monday night it was authorized that $200 be placed in the hands of the sheriff, and that $300 be offered as a reward for evidence that will lead to the conviction of the parties that murdered the poor lady. Pontiac - Nov 27, Harry West and James Brown, who were arrested MOnday for the murder of Mrs.Ephraim Maddock were taken before Justice Michael F Lillis this afternoon at 4 o'clock. Owing to the prosecuting attorney being unable to attend to their preliminary examination now, the hearing was adjourned for one week. In view of the serious nature of the crime. Justice Lillis said he could not accept bail, so they were conducted back to jail by Sheriff Kellam. There are no new developments in the case, and unless the officers are keeping back something for the examination, or new and important evidence appears, it will be a hard matter to tell what the outcome may be.