That night, John Morgan bunked with Jimmy. Around four in the morning on November 3rd, 1897, both arose and John followed the young man out to the hog pen to feed. It is there the carnage began. John picked up a hatchet at the tiny pig sty and beat Jimmy to death. He then returned to the house to find the two sisters cooking breakfast while their mother was tidying up her bedroom. Immediately, he struck Alice with the hatchet and then turned to Matilda and hit her twice with the same weapon, killing her. Believing both women were dead, John Morgan proceeded to the bedroom and burst through the door, where he eventually also murdered Chloe after a brutal battle that ended at the front door. Alice, however, was able to escape by hiding in a pile of wood and the hen house while her sister screamed desperately for her to return and grab the gun to stop Morgan. So injured was Alice she could do no more than continue her flight and call for help at the nearby neighbor’s home.

John Morgan was hung in December for his crime. No true motive to the murders could be found, although John’s wife had complained to neighbors that for about 6 months, he had appeared depressed and talked and hummed to himself. Alice lived to the age of 75. However, for years people have sworn they see the ghost of a young woman running along Grasslick Road and they also hear screams. They claim it is the ghost of Alice running for her life. The screams, they are those of her mother, half-brother, and sister crying for her to help them.