Zora Burns was born about 1861 in Missouri, USA. She was a servant and lived at St. Elmo near Vandalia, IL.
She was in the employment of Mr. Orrin A. Carpenter a well-to-do merchant in Lincoln, IL. She had left his employment and went home sometime before her murder. But she returned claiming he still owed her money. She left home on 12 Oct 1883 to go collect what Mr. Carpenter owed her. She did collect the money from him.
Her body was found Monday morning the 15th October, at the end of blind lane leading into one of the main streets of Lincoln, and about a mile from the town. She lay on the frozen ground, and she had been hit in the head and her throat was cut with two gashes from ear to ear.
Tracks of a buggy leading up to and turning around away from her body were noticed. The knife was at least three inches long according to the gashes on her throat.
There could of been a love affair between Mr. Carpenter and Zora, some love letters were found. The newspapers pushed this as well as the police.
Mr. Carpenter was arrested and was acquitted, but afterwards his life was in shambles he was run out of town as the residents all believed he was guilty. Zora's father shot at Mr. Carpenter after the trial, he missed and he was not arrested, the police felt sorry for him. Mr. Carpenter packed up and moved to the Dakota's.
Here's a couple newspaper articles:
Zora's Find-A-Grave memorial link is here, click and leave her some flowers if you wish. There's lot more details on her memorial page and more family information. Her father lost a wife and several children throughout his life, he was a wagon maker. So sad for him.
What are your thoughts, Do you think Mr. Carpenter was guilty? I am not sure myself. Why would he pay her then kill her. Why not kill her first. Leave some comments for discussion. Please click the follow button. Thank you for stopping by.
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