TERROR ENDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19994, 10 November 1927, Page 7

TERROR ENDS

STRANGLER TO DIE AMERICAN CRIMINAL BROUGHT TO BOOK. (Sun Cable) OTTAWA, Nov. 8. In cq<hection with Earle Nelson, who was sentenced to death for murdering two women, the police believe that they have ended the career of the so-called “Dark Strangler,’’ one of the most ruthless criminals in history. During 1926 the killer’s reign of terror extended through a dozen Pacific Coast cities. Early this year he turned across the Continent eastward. He was an adept at disguise, aged 37, and usually carried a suitcase with two changes of clothing. During the last year it has been definitely traced that he killed 16 women aged from 14 to 60, never robbing them, but invariably leaving behind evidence of his gorilla clutch. This year he killed five, including three near Winnipeg. The evidence showed that he killed Lola Cowan early in the forenoon, walked out of the city and begged a ride from a passing motorist. A tyre burst opposite a farm-house and while the motorist mended it Nelson walked leisurely in, found the farmer’s wife alone, strangeld her, threw the body under a bed, helped himself to dinner, and walked unconcernedly back to the motor-car. Nelson was a married man and was employed as a machinst. He had been in an insane asylum, but had escaped. He was kind to his wife, who had no suspicion of his fearful deeds.