Popular.com

Zinc, Arkansas, November 21st, 1912.

Scouring the woods near Zinc, Arkansas,

there is tonight a posse of more than 100 officers and volunteers

searching for the slayer of Miss Ella Barham, 18 years old, whose dismembered body was found in the

road near her home at Zinc at an early hour this morning.

Miss Barham left her home yesterday afternoon riding a horse in route to the home

of Mrs. Bryant, a neighbor, and was seen about 11 o'clock passing the Killabrew home by members of

that family. The authorities believe her assailant pulled her from her pony as she was riding along the road,

and after the assault murdered her.

In the afternoon, the girl's pony, riderless and dragging its bridle, returned home.

At first, the family formed the impression that the girl had eloped to Harrison and anticipated

receiving word from her before nightfall.

When night came and no word was received, they grew alarmed and sent inquiries to Pleasant

Ridge, but their efforts to locate the girl proved futile.

When about four miles from the Barham home, they met a family of fox hunters who joined

in the search.

The fox hunters were attracted by an unusual braying of the hounds,

and coming up to the dogs they discovered that they had run into a drove of hogs.

Further examination disclosed several parts of a dismembered body scattered about.

The girl's legs had been cut off.

She had been decapitated, and her skull was crushed with a large rock.

...