Wednesday December 12, 1917 Waco Tribune-Herald
Heading: Lorena People believe watchman murdered and body placed on Katy track. Lorena, Texas
At first believing that his death was the result of an accident, citizens are now convinced that Mote Witt, night watchman at this place, whose badly mangled body was found on the Katy track about a mile north of here early this morning met with foul play. As soon as this theory was developed, communication was had with the sheriffs department at Waco and Sheriff S.S. Fleming together with Justice J.J. Padgett, came here at once and began an investigation.
The generally accepted belief now is that Mr. Witt was murdered and his body placed on the track. The head was severed from the trunk, the legs also being severed from the body. Portions of the corpse were scattered along the track for a distance of 200 yards.
In the discharge of his duties Mr. Witt used a watchman clock which was attached to a leather strap, suspended across his shoulders. The clock was found in a field near the Katy right of way and the belt which he wore around his waist and to which was fastened a scabbard for his pistol was found about half way between the track and the place where the clock was picked up. The strap and belt had been cut in two, presumably with a knife. The pistol had not been found up to noon today.
Burglary Frustrated:
One of the discoveries that induce the people of this community to believe that Mr. Witt was murdered is that someone endeavored last night to break into the general merchandise store of Evans and Westbrook. A pane of glass was removed from the back door, but entrance was not effected and it is thought that Mr. Witt may have come upon the parties as they were engaged in trying to enter the store.
Mr. Witt's clock was punched at one of the gins and it should have been punched at Royal Brothers store and at Westbrook's store. Those here who have given thought to the matter believe that Mr. Witt was hurrying to the Westbrook store, when he was attacked and killed.
A freight train passing through Lorena at 5:15 this morning is thought to have mangled the body of Mr. Witt. The Katy Flyer which usually passes Lorena about 3:50 o'clock was three hours late this morning. The local also passes through Lorena to Waco about 6:30 am.
Mr. Witt had been employed as night watchman in Lorena for little more than two months and he had lived at that place for six or seven years being engaged as a farmer. He was about 40 years old. Besides his wife and six children, he is survived by several brothers and sisters.
Thursday, December 13, 1917
Three suspects held in connection with murder in Lorena.
Mr. Witt was buried this morning in Lorena Cemetery.
Heading: Lorena People believe watchman murdered and body placed on Katy track. Lorena, Texas
At first believing that his death was the result of an accident, citizens are now convinced that Mote Witt, night watchman at this place, whose badly mangled body was found on the Katy track about a mile north of here early this morning met with foul play. As soon as this theory was developed, communication was had with the sheriffs department at Waco and Sheriff S.S. Fleming together with Justice J.J. Padgett, came here at once and began an investigation.
The generally accepted belief now is that Mr. Witt was murdered and his body placed on the track. The head was severed from the trunk, the legs also being severed from the body. Portions of the corpse were scattered along the track for a distance of 200 yards.
In the discharge of his duties Mr. Witt used a watchman clock which was attached to a leather strap, suspended across his shoulders. The clock was found in a field near the Katy right of way and the belt which he wore around his waist and to which was fastened a scabbard for his pistol was found about half way between the track and the place where the clock was picked up. The strap and belt had been cut in two, presumably with a knife. The pistol had not been found up to noon today.
Burglary Frustrated:
One of the discoveries that induce the people of this community to believe that Mr. Witt was murdered is that someone endeavored last night to break into the general merchandise store of Evans and Westbrook. A pane of glass was removed from the back door, but entrance was not effected and it is thought that Mr. Witt may have come upon the parties as they were engaged in trying to enter the store.
Mr. Witt's clock was punched at one of the gins and it should have been punched at Royal Brothers store and at Westbrook's store. Those here who have given thought to the matter believe that Mr. Witt was hurrying to the Westbrook store, when he was attacked and killed.
A freight train passing through Lorena at 5:15 this morning is thought to have mangled the body of Mr. Witt. The Katy Flyer which usually passes Lorena about 3:50 o'clock was three hours late this morning. The local also passes through Lorena to Waco about 6:30 am.
Mr. Witt had been employed as night watchman in Lorena for little more than two months and he had lived at that place for six or seven years being engaged as a farmer. He was about 40 years old. Besides his wife and six children, he is survived by several brothers and sisters.
Thursday, December 13, 1917
Three suspects held in connection with murder in Lorena.
Mr. Witt was buried this morning in Lorena Cemetery.
Wednesday December 12, 1917 Waco Tribune-Herald
Heading: Lorena People believe watchman murdered and body placed on Katy track. Lorena, Texas
At first believing that his death was the result of an accident, citizens are now convinced that Mote Witt, night watchman at this place, whose badly mangled body was found on the Katy track about a mile north of here early this morning met with foul play. As soon as this theory was developed, communication was had with the sheriffs department at Waco and Sheriff S.S. Fleming together with Justice J.J. Padgett, came here at once and began an investigation.
The generally accepted belief now is that Mr. Witt was murdered and his body placed on the track. The head was severed from the trunk, the legs also being severed from the body. Portions of the corpse were scattered along the track for a distance of 200 yards.
In the discharge of his duties Mr. Witt used a watchman clock which was attached to a leather strap, suspended across his shoulders. The clock was found in a field near the Katy right of way and the belt which he wore around his waist and to which was fastened a scabbard for his pistol was found about half way between the track and the place where the clock was picked up. The strap and belt had been cut in two, presumably with a knife. The pistol had not been found up to noon today.
Burglary Frustrated:
One of the discoveries that induce the people of this community to believe that Mr. Witt was murdered is that someone endeavored last night to break into the general merchandise store of Evans and Westbrook. A pane of glass was removed from the back door, but entrance was not effected and it is thought that Mr. Witt may have come upon the parties as they were engaged in trying to enter the store.
Mr. Witt's clock was punched at one of the gins and it should have been punched at Royal Brothers store and at Westbrook's store. Those here who have given thought to the matter believe that Mr. Witt was hurrying to the Westbrook store, when he was attacked and killed.
A freight train passing through Lorena at 5:15 this morning is thought to have mangled the body of Mr. Witt. The Katy Flyer which usually passes Lorena about 3:50 o'clock was three hours late this morning. The local also passes through Lorena to Waco about 6:30 am.
Mr. Witt had been employed as night watchman in Lorena for little more than two months and he had lived at that place for six or seven years being engaged as a farmer. He was about 40 years old. Besides his wife and six children, he is survived by several brothers and sisters.
Thursday, December 13, 1917
Three suspects held in connection with murder in Lorena.
Mr. Witt was buried this morning in Lorena Cemetery.
Heading: Lorena People believe watchman murdered and body placed on Katy track. Lorena, Texas
At first believing that his death was the result of an accident, citizens are now convinced that Mote Witt, night watchman at this place, whose badly mangled body was found on the Katy track about a mile north of here early this morning met with foul play. As soon as this theory was developed, communication was had with the sheriffs department at Waco and Sheriff S.S. Fleming together with Justice J.J. Padgett, came here at once and began an investigation.
The generally accepted belief now is that Mr. Witt was murdered and his body placed on the track. The head was severed from the trunk, the legs also being severed from the body. Portions of the corpse were scattered along the track for a distance of 200 yards.
In the discharge of his duties Mr. Witt used a watchman clock which was attached to a leather strap, suspended across his shoulders. The clock was found in a field near the Katy right of way and the belt which he wore around his waist and to which was fastened a scabbard for his pistol was found about half way between the track and the place where the clock was picked up. The strap and belt had been cut in two, presumably with a knife. The pistol had not been found up to noon today.
Burglary Frustrated:
One of the discoveries that induce the people of this community to believe that Mr. Witt was murdered is that someone endeavored last night to break into the general merchandise store of Evans and Westbrook. A pane of glass was removed from the back door, but entrance was not effected and it is thought that Mr. Witt may have come upon the parties as they were engaged in trying to enter the store.
Mr. Witt's clock was punched at one of the gins and it should have been punched at Royal Brothers store and at Westbrook's store. Those here who have given thought to the matter believe that Mr. Witt was hurrying to the Westbrook store, when he was attacked and killed.
A freight train passing through Lorena at 5:15 this morning is thought to have mangled the body of Mr. Witt. The Katy Flyer which usually passes Lorena about 3:50 o'clock was three hours late this morning. The local also passes through Lorena to Waco about 6:30 am.
Mr. Witt had been employed as night watchman in Lorena for little more than two months and he had lived at that place for six or seven years being engaged as a farmer. He was about 40 years old. Besides his wife and six children, he is survived by several brothers and sisters.
Thursday, December 13, 1917
Three suspects held in connection with murder in Lorena.
Mr. Witt was buried this morning in Lorena Cemetery.
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