Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-07-12
SHOTGUN SALVATION.
Invoked By Beeiown Husband In Defense OF His
Hearthstone and Its Idols.
When it rains it pours.

| When 1T rains 1t pours.
Hardly is enc homicide cleared off the
decks before another appears to take
its place. The latest affair in this line
comes from Beetown, and is another
evidence of the force and power of the
shotgun argument, especially when the
disputant has the drop on his opponent.
The shotgun in this case was held by
Edward f. Evans, well-known cit
izen of Beetown and justice of the peace
in that village, who, on Saturday eve-
ming last, about six o'clock. shot and
fatally wounded John Sturmer, as the
latter was attempting to enter Evans
premises.
The provoking causes which led up
to the shooting make a long story and
date back some four years ago. About
that time rumor had it that Sturmer
and Mrs. Evans were more friendly
than was permissible under the rules
and regulations of good society. There
was no evidence adduced to justify this
rumor aside from the evident infat-
uation of Sturmer for the lady, whose
company he sought whenever oppor-
tunity afforded. His persistent visits,
however. aroused the suspicious of
Evans, who, at that time, was mining,
and lived a short distance from BeetowD.
He met Sturmer at the door one evening
and forbade his visits. In answer
Sturmer drew revolver and fired two
shots at the suspicious husband, one
shot taking effect in his thigh and
making severe wound, from which he
has been a sufferer up to the present
time.
For this Sturner was arrested and
lodged in Jail in this city. May 10,
1879 he was, on his own application,
brought before Judge McGonigal and
sentenced to four years at hard labor
in the states prison at Waupun. His
term was out last May but by good
behavior he made time in the prison
and was released in February. Since
then his time has been passed partly at
Beetown and partly in other portions
OF the county. Recently he came back
and falling into old drinking habits his
old infatuation returned, even if it had
ever left him, and he began following
Mrs. Evans about endeavoring to
gain an interview. The lady on her
part managed to keep out OF bis way,
apparently anxious that her reputation
should not be touched second time
by the breath of suspicion.
Matters went on IN this way until
Saturday when Sturmer expressed him
self to his friends as determined to 90
up to the house land have it out"
Those to whom he confided the deter
mination tried to get him to give it up,
fearing the consequences. But Stur-
mer persisted in his intention. IL
would seem as if he had himself
some murderous designs, or anticipat-
ed the result of his attempt, for he re-
marked to a friend whom he called up
to take drink with him, that he had
only an hour to live. About six o clock
he started for Evans. He walked back
and forth before the house several times
and then turned and entered the gate.
As he did so, Evans appeared at the
door of the house, with shotgun in
his hand, and ordered hith not to come
any further. To this warning, Sturmer
paid no attention, but kept on, when
Evans leveled his gun and fired. The
charge was mixture of duck-shot and
buck-shot, and took effect in the head
and face of Sturmer At the time, the
latter had birch club or staff in his
hand, which steadied him for moment,
when he fell over backwards without
word. Friends came to his assistance,
and picked him up. In his pocket was
found a pistol, which led some to sup
pose that his intention was to kill both
himself and the woman, if he had sue
ceeded in entering. He was carried to
the home of his parents, short distance
from Beetown. Examination showed
that one buck-shot had stuck in the fore
head, one in the cheek near the inside
corner of the eye. and one had pene-
trated the chin. From the appearances
of the head and face of Sturmer II
would seem as if the main portion of
the charge had passed over his head.
Evans Immediately gave himself up
10 await the result of Sturmer' injuries,
which were supposed to be fatal. Up
TO the present time, his death, although
hourly expected, is still unannounced.
Public sympathy is entirely with
Evans, in the affair, and some of the
best nen in the town stand ready to 90
on his bail bond, as soon as an exami-
nation can be held. The sympathy is
deeper, as Sturmers past life has been
anything but quiet and law-abidlng.
His family are among the most respect
able and quiet citizens of the town, but
the wounded man appears to have been
the black sheep of the flock, whose past
lawlessness led many to anticipate the
recent outcome long before it occurred
Bloomington.
| The base ball club of this place was