The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-04
LIFE IN MINNESOTA.
Watching for Horse Thieves, and shooting n
Neishbor.

On Friday OF last week Coroner Nichols
held al lnque't over the dead body OF the late
John A. howard. at the residence OF the de-
nsed, IN the Town OF Marion.
John Msvhew. the young man who shot Mr..
Howard. was the first witness sworn. He con-
tossed he shot the decei sed At the time aud
place named bv US last week. lie further stated
that while ON his way to Rochester the evening
previous, he was nailed by a couple OF men who
sprang from the brush at the roadside and told
him TO STOP as they wished to talk with him.
lie did not stop, but came on TO the city, the
grounds. lie thought they meditated some
crime. When he returned home he took AN
other route. Arriving at Mr.. Howdrd's. ne
called Arlington, son OF this deceased. and re-
quested nm TO 20 with him TO his-witness's-
no was afraid their horses would be stolen. Ar
lincton went with witness TO MIR. Mayhew's. and
went into the house. They saw strangers there.
witness advised hts father not To lot the stran-
gers stay over night AS he thought they IN
Tended % co mint some theft. Witness and Ar
lngton then went to Mr.. Mayhew's barn, wit
ness being arme1 with Spencer rifle. They in
tended 10 81 In the Darn over night TO
watch for horre tnitves. After being there
short time. Arlington suggested that they re-
move tire horses to M, fathers barn. aud that
they moth 90 there and stay. ~ there was mo
room aud greaer convenience for them than IN
Mr. Mathew barn. Accordingly the boys took
Mr. Mayhews two horses to MIR. Howard's barn.
and then prepared themselves a place To sleep
on some straw near the horses. They closed the
door and sat neck yoke against IL To keep IL
shut. the boys lying down on some straw within
Few Feet OF the door. About Il o'clock. the
boys beng about half asleep, the neck yoke was
pushed away and tue door opened. Witness
saw no person nor heard any one speak, but
supposed that horse thieves were coming into
the harm. Witness then was much excited. and,
raising to his knee, pointed his gun toward the
place where the door opened and fred. Mr..
Howaru's feet were just WITHIN the door. and as
he was shot ne fell out ward. As soon a. he had
fired. witness pat mis- head out OF the door and
called "a loud as he could for Mr. Howard.
when Arlington came out OF the door he i'd,
called for Mr.. Howard, tho LATER said, What
did you shoot me to1T' MIR. Howard laid where
two hours. The wound Inflicted on Sir. Howard
oy the shot Fred 10y witness caused his death.
that no and Mr.. Howard had lived nelghbors six
or seven years aud tht they were always good
friends no misunderstanding or difficulty had
ever arisen between them. neither had they ever
had any unkind words with eacn other.
Arlington How ri. a son OF the deceased. and
vino was VITA Mayhew In tns barn. wss sworn.
ana hi, testimony corroO Grated the sta. emonts
OF tho previous witness 30 lar as they were
within his knowledge.
MIRA. Melvna l.. Howard, widow OF the de-
ceased, being worn, coIro grated the testimony
or john Mhyhew 50 far as the facts were within
husband did not blame John Mayhew Tor any
thing that he bad done excepting that he did
not tell him that he was going to put his horses
Ia his (Mr Howard's) barn. aud he blamed his
own son as much as ho did John. Young MAY
hew manifesto the greatest grief aud agony
1or what bad occu red and the witness, Mrs.
Howard, believed he was Innocent of any inten.
ton TO inJure her hu band She had been ac-
quainted wiki John Mayhem for six or ss7en
years, aud during that time he had sustained
good character.
he testimony being given to the jury that
BODY rendered their verdict IN accordance there
with, the verdict coslng as follows:
That said John r.. Mathew. on hearing and seeing the
doOf opened, supporting tnat some persons about
TO steal sad horses nnl without seeing any person
hearing voice instantly nrcd his spncer rifle the
place where the uOOr openrh ~ which tue shot took
effect In the right side Of the SAID deceased,
coming out a, ns lett shoulder, by which ne inflicted
mortar wOund and that the said wound was not given
ielonOuHY or with malice eorcthUught or with cuba.
Die careiessness, but Was accidental.
Thus closes the scene OF this terrible tragedy.
strong man, III the maturity OF manhOou, has
been suddenly stricken down. a loving house.
hold depiived Of the compaulOnship. protec-
ton ana guidance OF an endeared husband and
father, and tue community sustains the loss OF
an upright and estimable citizen, while the rash
aud thouIhtless perpetrator OF tue terrible deed,
though not adJudged gullty before the law
must carry with him, Tor all time, the heart,
crushing memories OF bis misguided decd. We
only add IN II this sad event shall tend 10
diminish the too common aud careless use Of
firearms. the sacrifice, though fraught with 50
deep and bitter sorrow, will not have been made
In vain.