The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21
Otta(pa frsc Craoer.
OTTAWA. APRIL u. 1S56.
Atrocious Hurde. in Nebraska.


I'D inst, Of GEO. W. lIoL'isrER, formerly of
this city. The intelligence was the more
astounding, from the knowledge our people
had of the character of Mr.. ii. As young
man of high moral and even religious prln-
ciplc, stained by no single vice, and Of
peaceable, kind, and amaLlo disposition, it
seemed incredible that even on the frontier,
he should fall victim to rufan Violence
That no act Of lis could have provoked,
much less justified, such violence against
himself, was the forcgonc conclusion Of all,
even before reading the shocking details by
which such n conclusion is SO amply just-
fed The circumstances are thus briefly
given by the NebraslioB:
On the Sd inst. Gro. w. lloILlsrlr, while
engaged with party surveying at Bellevue
in this county, was Shot by Chas A. Henry.
Mr.. HOLSTER died in about twenty minutes
after receiving the wound.
1t seems that the party with which Mr..
HOLSTER was engaged in surveying, had
stopped to rest, and he was seated on the
ground when Henry armed with double
barrel gun, in company with a DIR. Butter
field who carried a large club or stake, ap-
preached. Some words in relation TO n land
claim, passed between Buttcrficld and IIol
lister, when Buttcriicld struck HOLSTER,
with the club which he carried, over the
shoulder, while the latter was yet seated
HOLSTER, Immediately arose. seized an axe
which was lying near by, raised it and adj
vanceda step towards Buttcrfcd who re-
treated several steps backward at that mo-
mcnt, Henry, who was not more than ten
feet from HOLSTER, but to whom he had not
yet spoken, exclaimed, "takc care, George ~
and at the same time raising the gun TO his
side fred the charge which was duck shot,
took effect in HOLSTERS abdomen. llollistcr
sunk to the ground cXclaiming "Oh God |
am dcad!'
Henry was Immediately arrested mud ia
ken before his Honor Chief Justice Fergu-
son, who had the prisoner promptly confin-
ed and guarded until legal investigation
could be had.
he following morning, coroner's in.
quest was held over the remains of Hollis
ter, which resulted in verdict that "the
deceased came to his death, in consequence
of a wound, inflicted by the discharge of n
gun, by the hand of Chas. A Henry"
The case was legally examined before
Judge Ferguson, and Henry was committed
to the charge Of Sheriff Peterson to await
his trial on the charge Of murder, at the
next term of the District Court of the LIST
Judicial District.
In consequence Of the great excitement
which at first prevailed, it was feared that
violence might be done the prisoner but we
are highly gratiicd that during the cxamin.
alton, perfect order was observed.
The evidence taken at the examination
proves that the shooting was not accidental.
Henry deliberately cooked his gun, and that
he shot Intentionally is shown by the fact
that the trigger of the gun was Every hard
to pull, aid, at the moment of pulling it,
his countcnance changed to an earnest, liyid
hue.
1t should also be mentioned that Mr..
HOLSTER had no personal interest or concern
in any claim controversy in reference to the
land he was surveying. lie was employed
by the Bellevue Company, and was survey.
ing the city plat for them
Mr.. llollstcr was native of Cato, Cayu
ga County, New York. At suitable age, ht
entered Yale College, where he graduated at
about the age Of 10. Some eight years ago
he came to this city, where, amid other oc
equations, he read law in the Office of hi,
brother, NJ. L. HOLSTER, Esq, until some
three years o, when he was employed a,
an operator in the telegraph Office, first in
this city, and subsequently transferred tC
Galena. Last September, in company with
brother, \. W. HOLSTER, Esq, he removed
TO Bellevue, Nebraska, where he resided un
I'll, by rullian hands, in the prime of youth
ful manhood, at the age of %, he was ruth
lcssly murdered
As a more fitting testimonial than any
thing We could say, to the high estimation il
which he was held in this community, W,
subjOn the proceedings of a meeting of tho
young men convened to give an expression
on the subject of his DEATH and Of the Ode
Fellows Lodge, of which he was member
on the same subject.
OTTAWA, April 1G, 1866.
At meeting Of the young men Of the Cit,
of Ottawa, Of friends and associates of Geo
w. HOLSTER now deccased-hcld Tucsda,
evening April 18th, 1Sj5-for the purpose
of expressing their sympathy with tn,
friends Oft the deceased, Oliver Cornell wa
called to the chair, and Edward l.. lIerricl
appointed secretary. Whereupon the fol
lowing preamble and resolutions were unan
imously adopted.
Whercds it has pleased Almighty God, il
the dispcnsation of his providence to tax
from us, in the vigor of his usefulness an
manhood, our much esteemed associate an
friend, George W. HOLSTER who departe
this life on the 3D. instant, at Bellevue, j
the Territory Of Nebraska, thcreupon
Hcsoired, That we, the young men of OF
tawa, deeply feel and regret the rrcparabl
loss we have sustained in the melanchol
death Of our respected companion.
ReSoirc3, That in the deceased We ha,
ever found a true and faithful friend, and a
agreeable companion, and that for his man
virtues, the integrity and uprightncss of h
life, and the estimabc qualities which cha
actcrizcd him, We cherish his memory wit
feelings OF the highest respect.
Reseire3, That we deeply and sincerity syn
pathizc with the afflicted relatives of the d
ceased, in the melancholy bercaveme
which they have sustained.
Resolrtd, That the Chairman Of this nee
ing transmit to the relations of the deccasc
copy Of these resolutions, as an cvidcn
of the high estimation in which the youl
men of this city held the deceased, and
token of their unaffected sorrow for his los
Resolrei, That the proceedings of ii
meeting be furnished to the newspapers
this city, for publication, and also to 4
newspapers of Omaha City and Belevr
Nebraska Territory
Whcreupon meeting adjourned
OLIVER CORNELL, Chairman
EDw, l.. llERRicH, Secretary.
At a regular meeting of Ottawa Lodge y
Al, |. o. q. f., held at their hall on Thu
day evening, April 10Th. 1856; the folio
ing preamble and resolutions were unar
mously adopted,
=.