Last Friday the sad news came from Geddes, South Dakota, that Miss Blanch Signall, well known here, and a granddaughter of Mrs. Ed Signall, had been murdered and her charred remains found in the ruins of an elevator. Mrs. Signall and sons, James and Phillip, and daughter, Nellie, immediately left for Geddes, South Dakota, to attend the funeral which was the largest ever held in that section. The deceased was a girl of noble character and was to be married in June. The following taken from a Sioux City paper explains the conditions of the terrible tragedy.

Although some people cling to the belief that the double tragedy here night before last was a case of murder and suicide, the great majority believe that it was a case of double murder, and many people believe that the activity of Mr. Menzie in promoting the farmer's co-operative idea and his bitter opposition to the line concerns had something to do with inspiring the crime.

Menzie stood high in the community and Miss Signall, his stenographer, who was killed, has always been above suspicion.

There was a hole in the skull of Miss Signall corresponding to a hammer which laid by her side. The feet and hands of both of the people were tied together with wires. Indications are that both were killed before the fire was set. In fact, the first arrivals at the fire declare that the flames had not yet reached the office when they got there. The fire started in the lumberyard.

The firemen were holding a dance in the opera house when the fire alarm was sounded. Earlier in the evening the Catholic ladies gave a supper and Miss Signal was to have waited on the table. Telephone calls to the office failed to get a response, and the front door of the office was found locked by first arrivals at the scene of the fire.

Two years ago January the elevator of the same company was destroyed by fire, and last winter a portion of the business section was burned, entailing a loss of $40,000. This fire was undoubtedly at incendiary origin.

It is now declared that Miss Signall had frequently received threatening letters in connection with her position as bookkeeper for the company.

William Menzie was known throughout the country as a big-hearted generous man. His only enemies were those he had been fighting. He recently started an agitation which resulted in the indictment of several lumber dealers on an antitrust charge.

It was the custom of the officers of the company to take the evening mail to the office after supper and answer it the same day. The perpetrators of the crime even took advantage of this fact to make their attack.

Examination by the doctors of the body of William Menzie, manager of the farmer's lumber yard, which burned here Thursday night, discloses a bullet hole through the head of about 32-caliber; entering on the right side and penetrating the brain, lodging on the left side. The pistol, which had been kept in the office for protection, was found in the ruins at a spot immediately beneath where his body laid. One exploded shell was found in the gun and another shot seemed to have broken the gun barrel off. The bullet taken from the body is of the same size and type used in the gun found.

No money was taken from Menzie's body. Two five-dollar gold pieces and a wallet with a bill in it were found in his clothing and where the body laid.

The authorities are still working hard on the case and still clinging to the murder theory.