Las Vegas Daily Gazette

The Pennington Murder.
By Western Associated Press.
FRANKFORT, Kas., Feb. 9.—The evidence now shows clearly that the murderer of John Pennington and wife is a tramp hired by him the day the crime was committed. Never in the history of the county has there been such a diabolical deed. The body of the murdered man was found in the barn, where he had been at work, with two bullet holes in his head, while his brave wife, who had evidently come to his rescue, after hearing the fatal shots, was discovered in a mangled heap 30 yards away. The ghoul shot her in the face, and as that did not kill her, seized a spade and beat her brains out, and then dragged the body to the shed where it was found with the clothing torn to shreds and spattered with her own brains and blood. Over 500 men are now at the scene of the tragedy and others are scouring the country in search of the assassin. It is certain that if the murderer is captured Judge Lynch will officiate. A reward of $1,500 is offered—$500 by the state; $500 by the county, and $500 by the citizens of Frankfort—for the capture. The following is the description of the murderer: He is 18 or 20 years of age, light complexion, about 140 pounds, high cheek bones, dark overcoat, light mustache clipped short, brown hair, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, general hangdog appearance.