r > v 10
' 1113 NORFOLK WKMKLY NI3\VS-,10imNAI , : FRIDAY. JANUARY IS. 1907.
DINNERS , DANCES AND LUNCHEONS -
EONS , PAST AND FUTURE.
PEOPLE COMING AND GOING
A Number of Pleasant Social Affairs
Have Been Given During the Week
Just Past and Several arc Calen
dared for the Coming Fortnight.
[ From Saturday's Dally. ]
Things social centered chiefly about
the beautiful homo of Mr. nntl Mrs. J.
K. Boas In Norfolk during the week
just past. On one afternoon of the
week Mrs. Boas entertained at n. lunch
eon nnd on Friday uvoning the home
was given over to u large dinner party.
Other than this series , the week \vns
not a rushing one. The calendar for
the next couple of weeks contains sev
eral events for which Invitations have
already been. Issued. The feature of
the coining week will be a dinner party
to bo given by Mr. and Mrs. D. Math-
owson on Thursday evening.
Pleasures of the Week.
Pretty nearly seventy guests en
joyed a charming dinner party given
by Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Boas at their
now home on Madison avenue Friday
evening. The dinner' was served In
five courses at small tables which were
distributed about the parlors. The
bostess was assisted by Miss Kathleen
Boas , Miss Lela Brush , Miss Mary OdI-
erne , Miss L/ols Gibson , Miss Luclle
Tracy , Miss Helen Maylard and Miss
Mellle Bridge. After the gentlemen
had finished their half hour's smoking ,
six-hand euchre was enjoyed during
the balance of the evening. Flvo of
the guests tied In the contest for first
prize among the ladles , Mrs. Durnhnm
winning on a cut. A pretty picture
was her souvenir. Dr. Bear won the
gentlemen's high score trophy on a
cut , receiving a pretty deck of play
ing cards. Mr. F. E. Davenport won
the shouting prize , a novelty booklet.
Ben Loucks very pleasantly enter
tained a few friends Wednesday even
Ing at the home of his brother E. L.
Lnucks. A very good musical program
consisting of violin solos by Mr.
Loucks and instrumental and vocal
solos by some of the guests , was ex
edited , alter which a three course sup
per was served. Mr. and Mrs. Jess
Loucks of Pllger were out of town
guests. Mr. Loucks , who has been in
Norfolk since . last spring and made
many friends , will leave for Oregon
next week.
On Wednesday afternoon Mrs. Boas
was hostess at a luncheon for forty-
seven friends. Tbe luncheon was dain
tily served in four courses , after which
the tables were cleared for euchre and
' flinch. The high score souvenir for
euchre went to Mrs. C. B. Greene , the
high score flinch souvenir to Mrs.
Sharpless and the shouting prize at
euchre was takes by Mrs. Mapes.
The .T.'N. club met with Miss Edna
Loucks on Thursday night , after a
cation of several weeks. The evening
was pleasantly passed with music and
conversation , after which refreshments
were served.
Mrs. W. H. Bntterfield entertained
the Kaffe Klatsch Thursday afternoon ,
and a very pleasant time was enjoyed
by all present.
Personal.
Mrs. W. H. Johnson will leave Tues
day for Denver , Col. , where Mr. John
son has now gone from Colorado
Springs. He has been in Colorado all
winter for his health , which Is very
much improved.
Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Butterfield will
go to California next week , probably
Wednesday , for the remainder of the
winter. They will be accompanied by
Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Butterfleld of
Chicago.
Mrs. Clias. E. Deuel of Chicago ,
daughter of Rev. J. C. S. Wellls of this
place , Is now In Bl Paso , Texas , for
the winter. She is accompanied by
her sister , Miss Louise Weills. .
G. Barnes of Sllverton , Col. , is a
gnest at the home of N. A. Rainbolt.
Mr. Barnes and Mr. Ralnbolt were for
merly partners at law in Iowa.
Coming Events.
Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Blakeman have
issued invitations to a dinner party
Tuesday evening , January 22.
Mr. L. C. Mlttelstadt will entertain
the West Side Whist club next Tues
day evening.
Mr. and Mrs. D. Mathowson will give
a dinner party Thursday evening.
The Elks' annual ball will be given
Friday evening , January 25.
NELIGH SOCIETY.
Mrs. Chas. H. Kelsey Entertains Cook
Ing Demonstrations Next Week.
Nellgh , Neb. , Jan. 12. Special to
The News : One of the most pleasant
evening parties hold in Nellgh for
some time was given Wednesday at
the home of Mrs. Charles H. Kelsoy.
Progressive four-handed euchre was
the order of the evening , and in re
sponse to Invitations previously sent
out , twenty of the young ladles of the
city wore in attendance. Mrs. R. B
Skinner being the most fortunate in
the number of games won , was award
ed first prize. Dainty refreshments in
three courses wore served by the host
ess. Those present were : Mcsdames
lllce , Payne , VanKIrk , Jenkins , Du\U.
Whitney , Skinner , Hueklnglmm , H. L.
Lytlo. 10. M. llnll , Chna. Mellelc. W G.
llontlg , Lawson , M. J. Homlg , O. S.
llaiiBorVllllaniH , 11. JohtiKon ; Mlsson
> \my Mollck. Nina Ityini and Uoll King.
It Is through the onergles of the la-
lies of the Hubalyat club that Nollgh
ins the treat of having Mrs. Harriet
MacMurphy of Omaha to glvo a series
) f lectures and demonstrations of
cooking. The series will start next
Monday afternoon nt 2 o'clock In Gle-
seker's hall.
Raymer-Warner.
Atkinson , Neb. , Jan. 21. Special to
Tlio News : Married , at the pastor's
homo , Rev. Mr. Schmidt , Goo. R. Ray-
mer and Miss Gertie Warner. After
wards they went to the homo of the
! > rido's parents , some six miles In the
country , where a bountiful supper was
served to the bride and groom and
friends. The Raymer family as well
as the bride's people , being some of
the oldest settlers In Holt county , have
many friends to wish them well. Mr.
Haymor luvs rented the Denny Hunt
property , and will live In town.
NORTHERN NEBRASKA ASSOCIA
TION IN FIRST SESSION.
TO PETITION THE LEGISLATURE
State Lawmaklng Body Will be Asked
to Enact Law Providing For Pay
ment of Not Over $300 by County
Commissioners to Pursue a Thief.
[ From Saturday's Dally. ]
The North Nebraska Live Stock Pro
tective association , at Its first annual
meeting hold In the city hall at Nor
folk Saturday afternoon , passed a resolution
elution petitioning the Nebraska state
legislature to pass a law which will
allow county commissioners In any
county of the state to pay out not to
exceed $300 for the expense of an of
ficial In hunting down a horsethlef or
cattle-thief , and which also provides
that the state of Nebraska may offer
a suitable reward for the capture of
a horse or cattle thief. At the present
time the county commissioners can not
pay expenses of an olllclal engaged In
pursuing a horse or cattle thief , and
rewards are all county and not state
rewards.
There were thirty-five delegates pres
ent at the first annual meeting of the
association , and some of those present
were men who had lost horses by theft
during the past year. In fact some of
those present helped to organize the
antl-horscthief association after they
had lost animals of their own.
There were delegates present from
Norfolk , Winnetoon , Warnerville , Mad
ison , Crelghton , Verdlgre and Pllger.
The association at the present time
has the following number of members
in various auxilllary associations :
Norfolk 88 , Hosklns 40 , Winnetoon 37 ,
Warnerville 17 , Madison 17 , Crelghton
40 , Verdlgro 60.
At Pllger there is an Independent as
sociation , which does not belong to the
North Nebraska Live Stock Protective
association. There are seventy-six
members there and it was thought that
that organization would affiliate with
the chief association which now covers
the northern part of the state. Gal
Matheson and J. R. Case were here
from Pilger to attend the meeting and
make arrangements for the Pllger as
sociation to join the chief organiza
tion.
Among the prominent men present
from out of town were : Jo Meyers
and Charles Schwartz of Winnetoon ;
August Beemer , L. E. Barnhart and
L. E. Nellor of Hoskins ; J. R. Case
and Gal Matheson , Pllger ; George W ,
Losey , Battle Creek ; II. R. Rhodes and
G. W. Weber , Crelghton ; Albert Hall
and Nick Eberle , Verdlgre.
Officers of the association during the
past year , since the organization last
summer , were : Herman Buetow , Nor
folk , president ; Frank Strahn , Wayne ,
vice president ; D. B. Nellor , Hoskins ,
secretary ; A. L. Carter , Norfolk , treas
urer ; George Losey , Battle Creek , chief
captain.
It was decided to change the date of
annual meeting from the first Satur
day after the first Monday in January
to borne day each year between Christ
mas and New Year's , to bo selected by
the executive board , and It was the
sense of many members that this day
ought not to be either Saturday or Sun
day. The holiday week was selected
so that holiday rates on the railroads
could bo secured.
The meeting held last Saturday , at
which John Krantz was elected presi
dent , was for the local branch of the
association.
RAILROAD IS NEARLY THERE.
Gregory Is Anxiously Waiting the Toot
of the Engine.
Gregory , S. D. , Jan. 12. Special to
The News : J. Q. Loyd has purchased
lots In Gregory and begun the erection
of a hotel 50 by 80 , two stories. It will
bo heated by steam , have both cold and
hot water pipes and will bo first class
In every respect.
H. F. Slaughter lias purchased a
largo livery barn nnd will use It ex
clusively as a sale stable.
O. E. Flnstead sold his hotel yester
day to J. S. Booth of Dallas.
The ice harvest lias begun in ear
nest. The crop Is abundant and of ex
tra quality.
The railroad Is expected to land in
Gregory soon , as the big cut this side
of Burke Is nearly completed and then
they will have nothing to hinder them
and there will bo but five miles of
rails to lay.
PREPARING FOR A BIG TIME HERE
FEBRUARY 7.
MANY OTHER CAMPS TO ATTEND
The Festivities of the Day Will Include
a Street Parade In the Afternoon ,
and Meetings Afternoon and EvenIng -
Ing Many Visitors Expected.
The class adoption and grand rally
which la being planned by the Modern
Woodmen of America to bo held In
Norfolk Thursday , February 7 , will bo
one of the greatest fraternal events
over held In this city. Camim of Madi
son , Wayne , Winner , Tllden , Pierce ,
Ptlger , Stanton , Meadow Grove , llattlo
Creek , Foster \VliiHldo , Hoskins , War-
ncrvlHe and Emorlck will participate ,
each bringing a large class of candi
dates for adoption. At 2 o'clock a
street parade of uniformed teams ,
bands , visiting camps and candidates
will take place. Immediately after the
parade. Head Consul Hon. A. R. Talbot
and Supreme Organizer R. B. Johnson
of Lincoln will glvo addresses , in the
evening the secret work of the order
will bo exemplified. II is hoped to hold
these inootlngH In the Auditorium , and
they will bo If the building can bo
made ready for the public by that time.
On the following night a Modern Wood
man ball will bo held In Mnrquardt
hall.
hall.Local
Local members of the order propose
to make this an event long to bo re
membered. Visitors to the city will bo
given the glad hand and a good time.
In their efforts to entertain local Wood
men will bo given cordial assistance
by the business men of Norfolk. It
has been proposed and the proposition
is meeting with general favor that mer
chants make their special sales so that
they will bo on during the two days
that outside Woodmen arc here , giving
an Inducement for the visitors to bring
their wives with them , thus allowing
the ladies to trade in Norfolk while
the men attend the lodge festivities.
This plan will not only revert to the
good of the visitors but to local mer
chants as well , and will prove mutual
ly profitable.
A number of prizes will bo given.
The Commercial club of Norfolk offers
a cash prize of $30 to the camp bring
ing the largest delegation and a cash
prize of $20 to the camp bringing the
largest class of candidates. Head Con
mil Talbot will present the camp mak
ing the largest per cent , gain to Its
membership with a handsome piece of
paraphernalia. *
SATURDAY SIFTINGS.
Paul Partsch was over from Wayne
yesterday.
S. D. Wells came over from Madison
yesterday.
N. B. Lauinan was over from Wayne
yesterday.
H. A. Snyder of Anoka was In the
city yesterday.
C. B. Scott of O'Neill was In the
city Saturday.
H. L. Doughty returned from Lin
coln last night.
Albert Hall of Verdlgro was In the
city Saturday.
Geo. B. Chrlstoph returned from Lin
coln last night.
Ben Loucks has gone to his new
home In Oregon.
F. Lambert came down from Foster
Saturday morning.
Matt Miller of David City was in
Norfolk yesterday.
E. B. Sherman of Columbus was In
the city yesterday.
Mrs. Sanford Parker of O'Neill was
in the city Saturday.
S. O. Davles of Madison was a Nor
folk visitor yesterday.
James A. Weber of Crelghton was a
city visitor Saturday.
Rudolph Hobza of Schuyler was a
city visitor yesterday.
Herbert Rhodes was In the city Sat
urday from Creighton.
A. H. Viele left this morning for Chicago
cage on a business trip.
C. V. Carbaugh of Geddes , South Da >
kota , was In Norfolk on business Sat
urday.
Henry Schwartz of Wlnnotoon was
a city visitor Saturday.
Joseph Meyer of Winnetoon came
down Saturday morning.
Geo. Connany came down from Bone-
steel nSturday morning.
H. C. Gaucho came down from Win
netoon Saturday morning.
Harry Folken of Schuyler was a
Norfolk vlstor yesterday.
Nick Oberle of Verdlgro was In Nor
folk on business Saturday.
C. H. Sibley and A. J. Dunlevy of
Tilden came down last night.
Mrs. Ralph Boyd Is seriously ill at
her home on South Ninth street.
Adela Horn and son Maurice of Ne
llgh were Norfolk visitors Saturday.
Miss Mable Tanner has gone to Wls-
nor for a few days' visit with friends.
W. A. Stedman left at noon for Oma
ha where he will spend a few days
with his family.
Mrs. R. E. Kltterman and little
'daughter of Stanton came up yester
day to visit with Mrs. A. Peters.
Hurt Mapes went to Omaha Satur
day morning.
Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Nenow left at
noon for their new homo In Wisconsin.
George A. Brooks passed through
the city at noon enroute to his home
at Bazllle Mills.
Mrs. Ferdinand Haaso , went to Hos
kins at noon to visit her daughter , Mrs.
John Huobnor.
Roadmaster P. Stafford loft at noon
for a trip over the Northwestern road
between hero and Fremont.
Mr. McDolo of Lincoln arrived In
Norfolk nt noon with C. E. Greene to
spend Sunday at the Greene home.
ill * McDolo IH the father of Mrs
ireeiio.
The name of L. SeMnlotiH was uiiln
tenllonally omllled from the HH | of
now dlrcctorn for the ( 'Itl'/oiui National
Imnk.
General Suiterlntoudcnt C. C. Hughes
if the NorlhwoHtorn went to Omaha
it noon to Hpcnd Sunday. Mr. Ilugheit
lust recently returned from n trip lo
Culm.
A. D. Dillon passed through Iho city
it noon enrouto to bin homo at Oak-
ilale , where ho wont to upend Sunday ,
lie said that ho would return Monday
lo begin a campaign In behalf of the
A. 0. U. W. lodge In Norfolk. Mr. Dll-
on IH deputy grand ninnlcr workman
) f that order.
Goo. 11. Durton and family have
moved Into the house lately vacated
l > y the Wullci'Htudt family on North
Eleventh Hi root.
Chni'loti Vllorna piiRood through tin1
city at noon en route to Lynch on busl-
IIOHH. He IIIIH just li > ft Mercy hospital ,
Council DliiffH , where ho WIIH treated
for Htrangulatcd Inqulniil hernia ,
caused by being Hlruck with a runa
way team at Monowl recently. I lo IIIIH
been appointed senate clerk In the No-
hriiska leglHlaturo , Iho appointment
having been duo to Senator 1'hllllpH.
MI-H. C. A. Drown IB quite sick.
S. L. Miller , who has been quite
Hick with rhouninllHin , IH able lo be
up and around now , but Mrs. Miller IH
now sick In bed.
Nathaniel Smothers of Plorco IH
clerking In MI-H. Craft'H Htoro now.
Ho will run one of the delivery wag
ons after Monday.
The company's Ice house IH now half
full of Ice and George Stalcop IIIIH a
contract to fill the balance of the
hoiiHO , which will bo about Ilvo or six
hundred ( OUH , and he cxpectn to com
mence the work Monday.
The machinists In the shops hero
have JiiHt finlHhed a hot water plant ,
which hnH been shipped to West Point
to heat the company's pumping IIOIIHO
at that place.
Mrs. James Malsl Is visiting In
West Point for a few days.
Engineer Barney Caldwell reported
for work this morning after a few
weeks' lay-off.
A birthday party waH given In honor
of Marry Adams' eighth birthday last
night and all had a line time.
The workmen who are employed on
( ! KJ sewer ditch are again using dynii'
mlt.e to break the frozen ground.
Elinor Ciimmlngs Is on the sick lint.
Frank Clark Is In Iladar relieving
the depot agent there , who Is away
visiting.
The B. V. P. boys royally entertained
their girl friends with a party in the
Railroad hall Friday evening. A very
pleasant evening was spent by all pros
out. In the course of which the boys
served refreshments.
The W. C. T. U. will meet with
Mrs. Oxnam Tuesday afternoon at I !
o'clock. It will bo a mother's meeting.
A full attendance is desired.
Ralph Sutleff , who has been cashier
for B. A. Bullock , will leave Norfolk
and go Into business nt Hawnrden , la. ,
with his father , who lias purchased a
store there.
The funeral of Nell Bailey was held
Saturday afternoon at a late hour and
burial was In Prospect III11 cemetery.
The funeral service was conducted by
a resident minister.
A light fall of mist that was almost
a drizzle of rain , covered sidewalks
and streets with a thin coating of mols
turo which , freezing , became a thin
coating of ice. It was all that human
ity could do to keep Its feet.
C. B. Havlland has arrived from Chll-
llcothc , Mo. , to take the position of
manager in the Norfolk telegraph of
fice. Mr. Metcalfe , the former man
ager , left for his now position as man' '
ager in Grand Island.
Norfolk Democrat : S. S. Welpton
of Omaha , state agent of the Connect !
cut Insurance company , was In Nor
folk Wednesday and adjusted the loss
of Mrs. H. F. Barnhart , which occurred
by fire three weeks ago , paying loss In
full.
full.The
The Ladles Aid society of the Pres
byterlan church met with Mrs. Dalian-
tyno yesterday afternoon. They elect
ed the following officers for the ensu
ing year : Mrs. Salmon , president ;
Mrs. Weltz , first vice president ; Mrs.
Fricke , second vice president ; Mrs.
Dallantyno , secretary ; Mrs. Morgan ,
treasurer. Light refreshments were
served and a very pleasant time en
joyed.
Attorney Darnhardt , editor of the
Norfolk Democrat , says : "District
cou.-t adjourned Tuesday evening nnd
tills will no doubt be the last term of
court held by Judge Doyd In this conn
ty and Is about his last judicial net In
the district. It Is expected that ho
will soon resign and In March will as
sume Ills duties at Washington as con
gressman from the Third , to which
office ho was elected at the last fall
election. Judge Doyd Is now serving
his second term as district Judge of
the Ninth judicial district of Nebraska
and of him as Judge , wo have to say
that no man h is hold that position nnd
came nearer gK'ng universal satlsfnc
tlon than Judge Boyd. He has en
deared himself to the common people
and at each term of court seemed to
become more popular than at the last.
Ho has the happy faculty of drawing
litigants and jurors to himself and ho
is very popular with officers of the
court. His rulings during the trial ol
cases were prompt , and decisive ami
were made In such manner as to coun
sel that he meant It. Ills decisions In
equity cases were broad and basec' '
upon equity Justice and common sense
and have most generally been afilrmed
by the supreme court Sometimes the
lawyers felt aggrieved at adverse nil
Ings. I did , and sometimes thought
and said unpleasant things. I did that
too ; but Frank Boyd was Judge Just
the same nnd wo know It"
TANTON COUNTY COMMISSION
ERS DISCUSS MURDER.
STORY OF THE OLD CRIME
Trouble Arose Between Chnrlcn Welln
and Dnvld Schurtcr In Stanton Coun
ty In 1073 and Wells Killed Schurtcr.
Now Confesses to Murder.
Htanton , Nob. , Jan. II ! . .Special to
I'ho NOWH : The Htnrlllng Information
hat ( MiarloH W. Wolln had boon nr-
outed al Suffolk , Virginia , and hud
onfoMsod that ho hail killed David
Schurler In Stallion county In 1X73 , WIIH
0 the people of tlilti vicinity of moro
ban ciiHiial IntoroHl.
ItWIH In IS7I that David Schurler ,
1 native of Hwlt/orhind. came to the
sluto of NobniHlmlth | IH ! wife , homo-
ileaded lilt ) uercH of hind , and creeled
lilii nod IIOIIHO on an elevation overlookIng -
Ing the Junction of the llutlerfly valley
rtllh the broiuler valley ol' the Klldmrn.
lust ncrosH the road to the HoiilhwoHt
iml just across ( lie main travelled road
0 Slanton wan Iho homestead of
( MinrloH W. Well * . The hitler In Iho
lai'lance of the day Inul a good start
mil WIIH eoinimnilUoly Hponhlng "well
Ixed. " The former wan a hard work-
tig man who know minioUilng of HOV-
rat trades but POHHCHHCI ! little ol' thin
world's goods.
Trouble Over Cow.
In the year 1872 Hcliurter purohiiHod
1 cow fioin Wells. One half of the
purchase prlco WIIH to bo paid In ciiHh
mil the balance was ( o bo worked out
In days' work by Schurtor. The cash
liad been paid , and only $11 of the
work remained unperformed. There
luul been Homo fooling created by do-
iniuidH made by Wells upon Sehurtor
for work at Union when his HorvlcoH
wore employed by others. Finally Joe
Stlbley , now a resident of Madison
county , and another person from the
Htuto of Ohio came to NchniHUu and
CDinmeneed working for WollH on bin
farm. II IH mild that on some oecaHloiiH
Wells made demands on Schurler to
perform work when ho was actually
engaged In working for other persons ,
In threshing and under clrcunmlnnccH
which rendered compliance ! with hlH
deniimdH Impossible on the part of
Schurler , and on Sdmi tor's falluro to
comply with his lequesl assorted the
right to claim the money valun for the
work that was performed. Ho also
claimed the right to retake the cow
from Schurtor's possession on which
there remained unpaid the sum of $11
which was to bo paid In work. Consid
erable feeling existed between the par
ties.
ties.On
On the 2lHt day of February 1872
Schurtor , while out with a neighbor
hunting rabbits , stated that Wells had
threatened to kill him if the $11 was
not paid in cash. This neighbor at the
time laughed nt his fears.
Advised to Shoot.
On the 22nd day of February 1873
Wells came to town and consulted his
lawyer , Mr. Clark , In refeicnco to the
matter , and was advised by Mr. Clark
In presence of S. S. Cnnfiold , the then
sheriff , to go to Scliurter's presence
and retake the cow ; that ho had Just
as much right to do it as an otllcor.
Tradition has it that Clark also ad
vised him to shoot Schurter if it was
necessary to get the cow.
On his return homo ho stopped at
the home of his brother , Erie Wells ,
also a resident of Madison county , and
borrowed an old musket , took It home ,
cleaned nnd loaded It with liuckRhot
and then leaving the gun at his homo
went up to Scliurter's house to get the
cow. It is evident that Schurter re
fused to deliver the possession of the
cow. Wells says that Schurtor got his
rifle , a long barrelled gun of the squir
rel hunter typo and ran Wells off his
place. At any rale , Wells returned to
his house , grabbed up his gun and ,
notwithstanding the pleadings of Mrs.
Wells , went up to Schui tor's place
again.
Schurter Found Dead.
As to what followed no one save the
wife of Charles Wells , his daughter ,
and hlmsclf.knew. Schurter was found
liM dead within ten feet of his own
door. Ho had been shot through the
neck with a charge of buckshot. The
wound was about the size of a dollar
and extended almost through the neck ;
the backbone in the neck was shat
tered and the shot could be plainly felt
on the rear of the neck. The board
and throat were blackened and burned
with powder.
Wells at the time claimed that when
ho went up the first time Schurter mot
him with the rifle In his hands and
was going to shoot him ; that he , Wells ,
then returned to his house and got
his musket and went up and renewed
the altercation. That Schurtor stood
with his rifle muzzle down and had
commenced to raise It to shoot when
he , quicker than the murdered man ,
raised his musket like a Hash and fired
it full In the face of his opponent.
Wells thereupon went home , got on
his horse and rode north three miles
and a half to Stanton and gave himself
up to the sheriff , announcing that ho
had killed Schurtcr.
A coroner's Jury was empannoled
and their Investigations developed
facts In variance with Wells' story. It
was found that Schurter had kept this
rifle within his sod house. To keep it
In proper condition he had Inserted a
roll of paper which protruded some
two Inches from the bore. The gun
lay beside the dead body still contain
ing this roll of paper. It had never
boon removed from the muzzle. And
It did not seem probable that a man
who hrid gotten out his weapon when ,
according to Wells , ho first came up
[ without a Kim. nnd Inul run Well * off
liH place , and Mien waited until WollH
letiinied lo hlH iiwn Imiiio Homo folly
r Illiy rndH dlHlaiil and Inuo leinuliinil
III plain Might while Well * iHlinicd
carrying n KMII In hln own hand , HIOW !
Ing by every act that he WIIH coming
for hiiMlnoMH and would have failed lo
remove a plug from Iho inii//.lo of IllH
own gun. Tightly clenched In the
right hand of Iho mnidered man wan
a fur cup. Hehitrlor Hhol rlghl hand
ed ; he could not have handled hit )
rlllo with hln cap clenched In bin right
hand. The naliiro of the wound In the
neck precluded Iho Idea of hlH gniHp-
lug Iho cup nflei WollH had fired the
fatal idiot.
t
Could Have llnil No Gun.
The Inl'oionoo of Iho Jury which ox-
nnilncd Into the affair WIIH Hint Solnir-
lor had no gun In | IH ! bunds at Iho
lime the Inlnl Hhol WIIH Died and that
he had hern mnidorod In c.old blood.
And many of HIOHO proHoni were of Iho
belief thai Solnirlor had no rlllo what
ever III IllH pOHHOHHloll III the lllllO lllO
filial Hhol WIIH fired but thai WollH
iif'er ' Hhiioilng him went into the sod
house and brought out the rlllo and
laid It hcHldc the dead body , omitting
In bin excitement to remove Iho wad
ding I mm the nni//.lo of the Imnul.
Prisoner Encnpcs.
Following the corner'H Inquoul canio
a preliminary examination hoforo
County .luilgo Fred llelmerlck , now
dead. II liiHled nevenil dnyH. WollH
WIIH by order of thlH com I committed
lo Iho Fremont jail. llnbeiiH corpim
pioceedlngH followed. K. S. Ciinlleld
wan then Hherllf. SubpoeiiaH for wit-
IIOHMCH lo appear before the court and
toHlll'y were placed In ! IH ! ohnrgo for
Horvlee. A deputy Hherlff WIIH sworn
In to iiKHlnt him and to thin deputy he
turned over the custody of WollH. The
officer went to a dance and got drunk
and on bin return SherlfT Canfield
found bin prisoner mlsHlng.
At the next term of the dlntrlct court
held In this county by Hon. Samuel
Maxwell , a grand Jury duly ompiui-
noted and of which C. M. DeiiHinore ,
now of Eugene , Oregon , was foreman ,
returned an Indictment for murder In
the first degree. Strange to say , how
ever , the Indictment and all ( lien and
records of the preliminary examination
can not he found. The only list of
pei'HoiiH who were witnesses IH to bo
found In the proreedlngH of the county
comnilHHlonerH , allowing hills for wit-
IICHH I'OOH.
Alter the Hhootlng , si range to nay ,
the people of the community were
quickly aligned In two 1'iiclloiiH. The
one Hlrong HympiitlilzorH of Wells , the
other slrenuoiiH advocates of a rigid
prosecution. But notwithstanding a
reward of $200 WIIH offered for hlH ar
rest , return nnd conviction , WollH was
never apprehended. IllH wife and lit
tle child remained on hlH farm for
Koine years after the Hhootlng and then
disappeared , 'flic farm WIIH thereafter
Hold and a deed which purported to bo
duly executed by Wells and hlH wife
was placed on record , loiter Judge
Crawford , then presiding judge of the
district , entered an order directing the
case to bo prosecuted without delay
and that If possible Wells lie appre
hended.
Told Wife of Murder.
In 1878 Mrs. Schurler , the widow of
the murdered man , sold her farm , the
scene of the crime , to Stanton county
for a poor farm and returned to Eng
land where later she died In nn alms-
hoiiKo. At the time of the murder she
was In the city of Stanton and received
her first Information of the crime from
the mouth of Charles Wells as ho mot
her on the road , she returning to her
home , and ho on his way to town to
give himself up. Mrs. Schurter was ,
prior to her marriage to Schurter , an
English woman , nnd nt one time was
a domestic servant in the household of
Queen Victoria , of England.
Thirty-four years have passed since
the crime wa.s committed. Many of
those who were active In behalf of
Wells and also In behalf of the pros
ecution have passed away. It Is said
that Mrs. Wells is dead. The senti
ment as to what ought to be done Is
still divided. The board of county
commissioners in session hero today
took occasion to pass the following
resolution :
"Whereas , It is reported through the
columns of the public press that one
Charles Wells has been arrested nnd
now In custody In the state of Vir
ginia , and ( ho subject of his extradi
tion Is now under consideration by the
officers of this county , on the charge
of having murdered David Schurter In
February , 1873 ;
"Therefore bo It
"Resolved. That It is the sense of
this board , in view of the lapse of time
nnd the altered circumstances that
the extradition and trial of Charl
the extradition nnd trial of Charles
Wells would at the present time bo
Inexpedient and wo therefore request
that no proceedings In the matter bo
instituted. "
M. B. A. INSTALLATION.
Officers Take Places and a Fine Ban
quet Served.
The following officers were installed
Friday night at a meeting of the M.
D. A. lodge , hold in the Odd Fellows
hall :
Fred Krantz , preslrtent ; Mrs. Minnie
Ellenwood , vice president ; Geo. H.
Burton , secretary and treasurer ; F. A.
Dryant. physician ; Mrs. Gertrude Bain ,
conductor ; Gus Werner , watchman ;
G. Maas , sentry ; Mrs. J. A. Kelehor ,
chaplain.
After the Installation a banquet was
served and a general good tlmo enjoyed -
joyed by the largo crowd in attend-
ance. Some guests from out of town
wore expected but failed to get hero.
Try a News want ad. for results.
