The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1888-08-02
SHOCKING TRAGEDY.
A Man at Wahpeton, Dakota. Kills . Young Lady,
and Il Summarily Lynched.

bihUCkAN6 THAGEDIs
A Man at Wahpeton, Dakota, Kills . Young Lady,
and Is %Summarily Lynched.
Miss Mollie Korbell, Of Wahpeton, Dakota,
was murdered by deputy sheriff 8. s. Elmer.
The victim was a respected domestic in Sheriff
Miller's family and was entrusted with the
management OF the household during the
family's temporary absence, and at the time OF
the murder had just given the prisoners in the
jail their supper. Elmer and other employees
OF the sheriff boarded with him, and after
supper Elmer asked the deceased if she in
tended going out. She replied that if she felt
like it. she would do so. At this Elmer pulled
his revolver and shot her three times-in the
arm, below the ear and in the neck. The
murderer Immediately gave himself up to In
other deputy sheriff, who locked him in a
cell. A great crowd soon gathered and be-
gan to prepare ropes and to break into the
jail. The police were active, md under di.
rection of the mayor several men were ar.
rested and locked up. The latter belonged to
the fire department, and some fremen rang
department gathered, and the mob made q
rush for the city hall to tear it down.
A masked mob of 100 determined men then
overpowered Sheriff Miller and Deputy Bronte
through the cages and tool the murderer
out. Themob was we'll organized and headed
by r~esolute men of Whapeton atd Brecken-
ridge. The sheriff offered all the physical
resistance his 260 pound afforded, but did
not attempt to shoot or fight because
the mob were all his friends and said the life
of the murderer not worth the life of q friend.
After the hanging the mob quietly dispersed,
and the hundreds Of men and women who
witnessed the hanging went home satisfied.
Elmer said he did not know why he killed the
CIR, and wassorry thath he had done SO. When
aaka6 II wished IN nrav no said ttNo
Miss korbel was ~twenty-one years old and
was highly respected by all who knew her.
Elmer had never kept company with her,
and had no claim t. her attention, and why
he should murder the girl is a mystery.
The murderer came from Massachusetts, to
Minnesota in 1862 and enlisted at Fort
Smelling. He has been about Wahpe-
good character, though frequently
exhibiting q weakness for strong
drink; but he was sober when the murder
was committed. He formerly lived in Fargo
and is we'll known throughout the county.
Six years ago he was employed by John
Haggart, sheriff of Gass county and served
as deputy sheriff. Previous to his arrival
at Fargo he had been deputy sheriff at
Rochester, MINI. He was given to drink
ing, more or less, and four years ago Mr.,
Haggart discharged him. BE remained a
while longer and then went to James B.
Powers Helendale stock farm. From there
he went to Wahpet"n, and hos since acted
as deputy under Sheriff Miller.
NoTHE ACCOUNT.
The Bohemian farmers began to gather in
town towards night. After some consulta-
ton it was decided to use strategy, and the
Bohemians~ withdrew. In the middle of tho
jail reused the whole town. All the citizens,
and those of Breckenridge us we'll. repaired
to the scene. About the Jail was gathered
q mob of about seventy-fve masked men.
They made q rush for the Jail, but at the
command of Sheriff Miller they halted. 1t
was only for a moment, however. They sur
rounded the sheriff and his twelve deputies,
and firmly, though without harsh treat
ment, hustled them to one side.
With crowbars and sledge hammers
they then attacked the cell of the prisoner.
The wonderful nerve of the murderer was
admired even by the most desperate of his
lynchers. Elmer sat on his cot in his cell
and watched the progress made by the work.
ers who were battering down the cell doors,
as if he doubted their skill in such work. Not
a word escaped his lips, but when the third
steel door that separated him from the mob
fell he too up and presented his head for
the moose to be slipped over. When the mob
left the jail. Elmer clasped the rope with both
hands to keep from being jerked down and
uppeotIeu peEIeCuly COOl. hlUeE tdVluS Zig
court yard, the mob quickened it's pace and
was 0 in q swift race for the bridge.
The Immense crowd pressed closely about
the running prisoner when one partially
tripped him and Elmer said: Don't do
that boys, I've got the worst Of the deal
now When the mob stepped on the bridge
and the rope had been thrown over astringer,
Elmer was asked if he had anything to say.
mo, l guess not" he replied. "Why did you
kill the girl7" vas asked. II did it in the
heat OF passion" he said. Elmer was asked
ifhe wanted to send any word to relatives, or
the mob ifthey wanted to tie his hands in
front or behind bis back. They were tied be-
hind bis back. care you ready" was asked.
Yes" said Elmer "hoist away" The hor-
rid deed was done; blood atoned for blood.
The body was cut down at 4 o'clock by the
oroner. The parents of the murdered girl
watched every movement Of the lynchers
with delight.