An ax-swinging fiend that had terrorized the Texas capital for weeks struck again on the night of May 5, 1885 leaving a mother’s dead body for her young children to find.

The rampage started with a slaying in Austin’s most affluent neighborhood on the day before New Year’s Eve 1884. The victim was Mollie Smith, a 25-year-old cook, who lived in the fine home of her wealthy employer.

Mollie and her companion Walter Spencer, who was staying the night, were sound asleep when someone ...