The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1884-03-22
An Trate Father.

[ul a1fray occurred short distance from
this village to-day in which three men
were shot, two fatally and one seriously.
The affai~ grew out of love affair be-
tween Ezekiel Henry, young farmer,
and Mary Christerman, the pretty daugh-
ter of we'll known farmer living about
eight miles from here. Two years ago
Henry met Miss Christerman. For Il year
he continued to pay her attention, and
would have married her but for her
fathers opposition. A year ago he order
ed Henry to stop visiting his daughter. Up
to two weeks ago the relations of the two
people appeared to have been at an end,
but at that time the old farmer discovered
a boy in the act Of carrying note to his
daughter, in which Henry expressed HIM
self rather forcibly on the parents con-
duet and notifying his lady love that he
had completed preparations for their elope-
ment tomorrow. The enraged father
swore he would kill Henry if he ever
caught him, and went to his house in
search of him, but did not find him. Mr..
Chrlsterman
LECTURED HIS DAUGHTER,
and she promised obedience. This morn
ing the young lad; requested permission
10 60 ont for a walk, which the father
granted, but sent her young brother aged
IA, along with her as a precautionary
measure. They passed Henry on the lit
tie street running through the village, but
did not speak to him. The boy reported
the occurrence on his arrival home. The
old mans suspicious were lulled and his
vigilance relaxed somewhat. Early this
afternoon the young woman was missing.
Upon her fathers arrival home he Instant
~ discovered the cause. lie called OH two
Mayer and Isaac Svope to ac-
company him, and the trio started in pur-
suit. About ten miles from Goldmine
they came up to the elopng couple.
Christerman Immediately called out to
Henry to stop and give uD his daughter.
Henry laughed and lashed his horses into
Il gallop. The faster horses of Christer-
man made the race between the parties o
brief one. Driving alongside, Christer~
man sprang from the wagon and grasped
Henry's horses by the bride, bringing
them to short stop. He then began to
abuse Henry in the most violent terms.
At last Henry sprang from the wagon and
struck the old man in the face. Both men
then grabbed and fell to the ground.
Finally Henry broke loose, when Christer-
man fired his revolver point blank.
THE BULLET CRIED HENRY's FOREHEAD,
lntlicting slight wound. With an oath,
Henry pulled pistol and hastily discharg-
ed it at Christerman, the ball striking him
III the left leg. The old farmer fell, and
and as Henry turned around Mayer and
Swope jumped out of the wagon and ran
towards Henry, who then fired twice at
Mayer, striking him IN the shoulder and
the left side in close proximity to the heart
AS Mayer fell, Swoppe fired shot at
Henry which took effect in his left arm.
After firing, Swope turned and ran toward
The brush by the roadside, and as he did
20, Henry fired another shot striking
SWope in the back. Swope continued run
ming for a few yards, when Henry empti-
ed the last chamber Of his revolver, the
bullet taking effect in Swope's left should
er, and Swope fell among the brush.
Henry jumped into the carriage and drove
rapidly toward Lebanon. During the
Miss Christerman had jumped out
of the carriage and sprang TO the side Of
her wounded father, who cursed her and
attempted to drive her away The shots
and cries Of the wounded farmer soon
brought assistance and
THE FOUR ACTORS IN THE AFFRAN
were driven to Christerman's house. The
physician pronounced the injuries Of
OF Mayer and Swope as fatal. : Christer-
man s leg was broken. the bone having
oeen shattered by the pistol balls. Pur-
sun was at once instituted anA Henry WAS
captured while driving towards Lebanon
ana brought to Goldminc. At last ac-
counts SWope and Mayer were said to be
rapidly sinking. \ bitter feeling against
henry is spreading among the farming
population. Miss Christern,an is a tall,
nlce-looking girl of about 10 years. She
says her father had no right to interfere
IN their love affairs, and when told her
lover would in all probability be convicted
of murder, she went into Mysteries and
raVed like one insane. Mayer and Swope
are two rasnpcta h1a farmnrc