Murder victim. A young life taken far too soon. His father, Peter Gunness died in December 1902, and Philip was born the following spring. May this beloved child rest in heavenly peace.
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FOUR DIE IN BLAZE
TRAGEDY ENACTED AT AN EARLY MORNING FIRE NEAR LAPORTE ON TUESDAY LAST.
Mrs. Belle Gunness and Children Victims of Flames and Woman's Suitor, Ray Lamphere Is Held by Police.
The removal of four charred bodies, blackened forms of three children huddled about that of the mother, as if for protection, the arrest of Ray Lamphere, formerly employed by Mrs. Belle Gunness, the victim, and the collapse of Lamphere at the jail, has caused excitement in Laporte that may at any moment break forth in mob violence.
Mrs. Gunnes [sic], who was a wealthy widow, lived on her farm near Laporte with her three children. At 4 o'clock Tuesday morning Joseph Maxwell, an employee of the place, was awakened by smoke.
Employe Fails in Rescue Effort.
He made every effort to secure the family, but failed. Late Tuesday afternoon the bodies of Mrs. Gunness and her three children, Myrtle, aged 11; Lucy, aged 9, and Philip, aged 5, were removed from the smoldering ruins.
There was a rumor that the home had been fired because of malice, and the police took up the story and began an investigation, which resulted in the arrest of Lamphere.
Accused Infatuated with Woman.
Lamphere had been employed on the farm . . . [missing type] . . . with Mrs. Guness.
Mrs. Gunness declared that the man annoyed her and filed proceedings to have him declared insane, but a jury found him sane.
Mrs. Gunness recently told neighbors she feared for her life, and yesterday brought valuable papers to town and placed them in a safety deposit vault.
Source: The Chesterton Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana; April 30, 1908; Volume 25, Number 5, Page 1, Column 2.
Murder victim. A young life taken far too soon. His father, Peter Gunness died in December 1902, and Philip was born the following spring. May this beloved child rest in heavenly peace.
-----------
FOUR DIE IN BLAZE
TRAGEDY ENACTED AT AN EARLY MORNING FIRE NEAR LAPORTE ON TUESDAY LAST.
Mrs. Belle Gunness and Children Victims of Flames and Woman's Suitor, Ray Lamphere Is Held by Police.
The removal of four charred bodies, blackened forms of three children huddled about that of the mother, as if for protection, the arrest of Ray Lamphere, formerly employed by Mrs. Belle Gunness, the victim, and the collapse of Lamphere at the jail, has caused excitement in Laporte that may at any moment break forth in mob violence.
Mrs. Gunnes [sic], who was a wealthy widow, lived on her farm near Laporte with her three children. At 4 o'clock Tuesday morning Joseph Maxwell, an employee of the place, was awakened by smoke.
Employe Fails in Rescue Effort.
He made every effort to secure the family, but failed. Late Tuesday afternoon the bodies of Mrs. Gunness and her three children, Myrtle, aged 11; Lucy, aged 9, and Philip, aged 5, were removed from the smoldering ruins.
There was a rumor that the home had been fired because of malice, and the police took up the story and began an investigation, which resulted in the arrest of Lamphere.
Accused Infatuated with Woman.
Lamphere had been employed on the farm . . . [missing type] . . . with Mrs. Guness.
Mrs. Gunness declared that the man annoyed her and filed proceedings to have him declared insane, but a jury found him sane.
Mrs. Gunness recently told neighbors she feared for her life, and yesterday brought valuable papers to town and placed them in a safety deposit vault.
Source: The Chesterton Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana; April 30, 1908; Volume 25, Number 5, Page 1, Column 2.
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