HORRORS MULTIPLY

Tom murrell, wife and son murdered.

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The Son Shot Down in the Field --- Crews Still at Large

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T. B. Murrell and wife, Anna, and son Morgan Murrell, their grown son, were all murdered by Jack Crews yesterday morning.  Such in brief is the horrible tale of blood that we have to record from Cooke county.

G.W. Howell and Mr. Coons of Callisburg came into the city early yesterday morning and brought the astounding news that T.B. Murrell had been shot and dangerously wounded and his wife shot dead just after daylight by Jack Crews, a man who had been working for Murrell several years. 

Sheriff Ware, George Womack, Dick Blackburn, Constable John Pierce and County Attorney Rogers left at one for Callisburg.  Hon. Jesse Murrell also hurried to the stricken home of his brother.  The people on the streets became excited and eagerly sought for further information.  About noon a man came in with a note from Jesse Murrell saying that Tom, Anna and Morgan were all murdered.

Morgan Murrell and his brother, Len, were working on their father’s farm on Red river, near Coesfield.  From what we can gather Crews had gone to Murrell’s house near Callisburg and was lying in wait for him at the barn.  When Murrell came out, just before sunrise, to feed his stock, Crews shot him.  Mrs. Murrell ran to her husband and he shot her dead.

He then took what money Murrell had in his pockets, saddled the best horse in the barn and made off.  He went to the farm on the river and shot Morgan Murrell dead. 

The sheriff’s posse is in close pursuit, but at this writing no news has been received from them.  Crews crossed the river and of course the officers are close after him.  He is armed with a splendid Winchester rifle and a good 41 Colt’s six-shooter.  If the officers come up with him, we fear that some of them will be killed. 

Crews is desperate and will not be taken if he can avoid it.  Crews was in the city Wednesday and borrowed a Winchester from Link Stapleton, the miller at the Lone Star mills.  Mr. Stapleton says Crews is a splendid shot.  He stated that he wanted the gun to go hunting with.

Those who know Crews say he was always regarded as a mild, harmless fellow.  Is a small man, sandy haired, beard cropped close and about forty years old. 

Late in the evening Sheriff Ware came in to make arrangements for continuing the pursuit.  He left pursuing parties in the territory.  About forty determined men are scouring the country and telegrams have been sent in every direction. 

The sheriff informed us that Crews tied his horse under the bank of the river and went into the field where Morgan Murrell was ploughing.  A young man who was working in the field says he heard talking and on looking around saw Morgan holding his hands up and heard him say “Don’t shoot me, Mr. Crews.”  Just then the gun fired and Morgan fell dead. 

Tom Murrell lived a while and told the people that Crews had threatened to kill his sons and begged that some one be sent to notify them of the danger.  A young man rode rapidly to the farm to warn the young men of  their danger.  He got to the house and just as he started down to the field, he saw a puff of smoke, heard the gun fire and saw Morgan fall. 

The murderer then crossed the river and turned west.  The sheriff divided the pursuers into four squads, one in charge of George Womack, another with John Pierce, a third with Dick Blackburn and the fourth in charge of a citizen. 

Crews has a brother living on Red river in Montague county and it is thought he is making his way there.  But ere this Sheriff Ware, or some trusty man under his direction, is there and the murderer will run into a trap if he goes there.  The sheriff, knowing how desperate the murderous demon must be, has given orders to the men not to take any chances if they come up with him.

If he can be caught Pat Ware will get him.   He remarked to us: “I am going to catch that man.”  The whole county was shocked at the terrible deed, and if he is caught he will be lynched if the officers are not on the lookout. 

Tom Murrell was a good, honest, law-abiding, thrifty citizen, and had many friends.  Crews was a shiftless and apparently harmless fellow, but he must have had a sleeping devil in him and when it was aroused, he went wild.  We learn that a few days ago he and Morgan had a sharp quarrel, but did not come to blows.  So far as we can learn he and the Elder Murrell had not been involved in any difficulty further than that Mr. Murrell had discharged him.