Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-12-29
A Broken-Hearted Family.
A Shocking Tragedy.

after 10 O'Clock, by N. l.. Dnkes, a
leading lawyer and member elect OF |
the legislature. The cause of the |
tragedy is unknown, but rumor says it
grew out of the alleged fact that Dukes
had been intimate with Capt. Nuts
eldest drughter, and that at the time OF
the killing the captain was demanding
justice for the girl.
Capt. Mutt arrived at his home in
this place on Saturday evenings train.
He seemed about as usual, and none
of his friends suspected that there was
wrong. Sunday morning he
called, in company with young rela-
tive named Craft, on his nephew,
Clark Breckenridge, cashier of the
Peoples National bank of Fayette
county. They went to Breckenridge's
bank across the street and transacted
some business. Mutt then requested Craft
to 60 to the hotel and wait iur him, rs
he wished to converse privately with
Breckenridge. A short time aftelward
Breckenridge and his uncle, Mutt, came ;!
out of the bank and walked across the
street to the Jennings house and asked
for Mr.. Dukes. They were shown to
his room. Mutt entered, Brec kenridge
remaining outside. A scuth e ensued
and Breckenridge entered. He found
the two men struggling together He
threw himself between them and en-
deavored to separate them. A man
down stairs named Feathers, son-in-
law OF the landlord, hearing the noise,
ran up to see what was the matter.
He found Breckenridge holding Mutt,
and at once seized Dukes and succeed
ed in rushing him into a corner of the
room. Just at this moment Dukes
raised his revolver and fired at Captain
Mutt. The bullet entered just below
the left eye and pierced the brain.
Capt. Mutt fell into tle arms Of Breck-
enridge and expired in a few
minutes, never speaking after
he was shot. After the fatal shot was
fired Mr.. Feathers succeeded mot, how
ever, without struggle, in getting the
revolver ont nf Dukes's hands. Dukes
then put on his coat, and, without turn
ing or looking at any one, walked swift
ly down the bsck street to the Jail and
gave himself up to the sheriff. He did
not tell the sheriff what he had done,
merely remarking that there had beel
trouble down street.
sKEFCH OF THE DECEASED.
Captain Mutt was about forty-throe
years of age and native of this county.
He was member of the Fayette coun-
ty bar and of the Pennsylvania Hlstor-
ical Society. He was widely known as
man of education and Of good liter
ary attainments He became cashier
of the National Bank of Fayette coun-
ty IN 1873 and was made cashier Of the
state treasury under General S. NJ.
Bailey upon the latter's election as
state treasurer in November, 1881.
Since Captain Mutt went to Harrisburg
| he had purchased an interest in the
Harrisburg Telegraph, to which he ex
| pected to devote his energies after the
expiration of General Balley's term.
n. l.. Dukes is native of Ohio but
came to this county early i'll life. He is
a graduate of Princeton college and a
lawyer of good standing in Fayette
county. At the last election he was
chosen one of the democratic represen-
tatives from this county to the slate
legislature AID vas preparing to go to
Harrisburg at the opening of the
session in a few days. He i5 thirty
three years old. The whole com
munity is plunged into state of pro-
found grief over the tragedy.
LATER REPORTS.
UNIoNTowN, Pa. Dec. 2S-The killing
| of Captain Mutt, the state treasurer, by
legislator named Dukes, is still the
town talk. The facts in the case are
still mystery. Dukes remains silent.
When approached by reporters, he ap-
peared dogged and refused to make a
statement Miss Lizzie Mutt, daugh-
| ter of the deceased, is erciente, but it is
said that Dukes is innocent OF that
| crime. Dukes has been paying attcn-
ton to Miss Mutt for some months,
against the wishes OF her father,
and anonymous letters nave
been sent her rejecting upon her
good name. Not long ago
one of these letters was dropped
at the gate of the Mutt mansion. One
theory is that some person vino wished
to gain Miss Nuts affections, dropped
the letter to displace Dukes. When
asked about the letters, he said ne had
nothing TO do with them.
Mrs. Mutt is in such condition that
her life is despaired of. The daughter
is also much prostrated. Ii is said that
Breckenridge has possession of the let
tiers. Dukes passed restless night,
and is quite repentent and wishes thai
he had been shot. Some say that he
purchased the weapon five weeks ago.
The rumors rejecting upon Mics Nuts
character are Offset by the fact that
hitherto she has borne an unblemished
reputation and was regarded as a pure
girl. Her position in society was oi
the highest. Dukes claims he received
threatening letters from Mutt, and
from what can be learned expected 8
visit from the state treasurer and pre-
pared for the worst.
PITT1BURG, Pa, Dec. 26.-Tne Chron
icle's Uniontown, Pa, special, says thai
the cause of the shooting OF Capt. Nut
by Hon. U. L. Duke, was the refusa
of the latter to marry Nutt's daughter
after running her. The affair created 9
profound sensation, and is the one
theme of conversation. Members d
the bar of Fayette county met thi:
morniBg and passed resolutions of con.
dolence. The funeral Of Capt Nut
took place at one O'Clock this after
noon, and was attended by 3 company
of the tenth regiment, members of the
bar, the grand army and masonic fra
ternity, who had charge of the buria
exercises. Banks and all places o.
business closed. The condition Of Mrs
Mutt is regarded as critical. Great fear,
are also entertained for the daughter
life anf reason, and application will be
made tomorrow for Dukes release or
bail.
II A LYycEISG THREATENED.
i PrTTsBURG, Dec. 26.-A later dispatch
says sc intense feeling against Dukes
has developed in the last "a hours
| t. L.. nloarl.- oh0wr, the