Nebraska palladium. [volume] (Bellevieu City, Neb.) 1854-1855, 1855-04-11
MURDER OF HOLLIsrER.

OF ~NlOienceS ana IS no more. lie was q
young man Of the highest responsibility
a graduate Of Gale College, and abou'
twenty five years Of age. Mr.. II. stud
jed law at Ottowa, H., and gave promise
Of distinction in his profession.
At The time Of his death, he in coinpa-
ny with -four men was engaged in the
service Of the bellevue Associate ion, 4"
making a survey Of that portion Of their
town site lying contiguous 10 DR.. Butter
fields claim, on the Pappillon, about one
half mile distant, in a northeast direction
from bis house. Mr.. HOLSTER with his
company were seated on the ground, wait
ing for n Of the company 10 return from
the creek with SOM u'uter. While witt
ing, they saw two men approaching them
from the direction Of the house, they
were walking on a ridge, some considera-
bly, elevated above themselves. Before
approaching near enough 10 be distinctly
recognized, they disappeared behind the
ridge, and remained out OF sight for sew
nral minutes, when they re-appeare1 and
approached sufficiently near TO be recog-
nized, it was found that one was DIR. b.
with a club or stick in his hand, accom-
panied by CHARLES A. HESEr, armed
with a double barrel shot gun.
DR.. Butterield on approaching the place
where the surveyors were resting, com
planned Of their ,respassing upon his
claim, and ordered them 10 discontinue
their Operations. IN unpleasant con-
yersation ensued, resulting in angry looks
and words-whippings were threatened,
and finally commenced with a blow from
DR.. b. upon Mr.. Hollister-whereupcn
he picked up an axe, and approached DR..
b., who retreated from the threatened
blow. At this stage Of the matter. Henry
was heard TO cock his gun, and almost in
Simultaneous with a warning 10 Mr.. Hol-
lister to stake care" discharged its con-
tents at Mr.. HOLSTER. The charge en-
tered the abdomen just above the hip, from
which his bowels Immediately protruded.
After a brief exclamation uttered after
the shot, Mr.. II. sank down and died
within tweniy-one minutes. At this crit
ical juncture, the chief surveyor, Mr..
Gustave Seegar, had the presence of
mind and nerve, TO seize the criminal,
and take him to Chief Justice Ferguson,
for safe keeping. The Judge ordered
the prisoner into an out building, provid-
ing a suitable guard, within, and sentinels
without.
The, examination took place the day
succeeding the murder, April fourth, be-
fore His Honor, Chief Justice Ferguson.
The witnesses were Of the most respec-
table character, and deta led the transac-
tion with minuteness ans great apparent
conscientiousness.
The evidence was such as 10 lead 10
the commitment Of the prisoner for trial al
Tie June term Of The Supreme Court.
HCw The CASE LOOKS TO Us.
After a critical examination Of the evil
dence respecting the death Of Mr.. Hollis
ter, il appears 10 be a murder for which
not the slightest reason can be produced.
LIST. Mr.. HOLSTER and his party were
n the employ Of the bellevue Associa-
ton" engaged in the execution Of their
orders, and had any reason for an attack
existed, il should have been made upon
tile principals and not upon the agent. If
they were doing the will Of The princi-
pie party, 1T was responsible, and not
them.
I'd. Granting that the party were re-
sponsible, there was no cause for an at
tack upon them, even if they were actual
~ trespassing OF a claim that did not be-
long to them. They had no power to re-
move the land, TO %injure IFS properties, or
10 deprive the legal claimant Of the right
Of pre-emption. In fac, No power TO in
lure the claimant, whose assault led to
the blood shed, with which we have been
disgraeed.
81. The deceased was the assaulted
sarty, and fell in defence of himself and
lis friends. DR.. BHterield was the as
%ssilant, and the occasion # not tie Prin-
eiPal agent in the death of the unfortunate
HOLSTER. His blood was spilled in con-
sequences Of that attack, and is ctargeable
10 thai ssource.
9Th. DIR. Butterheld armed with a stake
or stick, accompanied by C. A. Henry,
also armed with a double barelled shot
cum. easae about half q mile 10 where Hol-
lister and hls company were at work and
made threats of violanee, and struck HOl-
lister with his stick. who in raising an
LII ,lsfs,,ce fell Ly a shot made