The Nicodemus cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Graham County, Kan.) 1887-1888, 1888-04-06
A Husbands Fiendish Ac..

KANSAS CITY, Mo-, April 2-The Times
says: With his arms around her neck, E.
Settler, driver of sand wagon for Charles
| Evans, shot and mortally wounded his wife in
| their room over the saloon at the northeast
corner of Third and Walnut streets yesterday
morning. Then he fred two shots into his
own abdomen. Both were living at an early
hour this morning, but there is no hope of the
recovery of either. Mrs. Settlers former
husband was brother of Robert Tucker, the
wellknown horseman, who has now a string
of horses at New Orleans.
The circumsta noes attending the tragedy
are sensational in the extreme In Novem-
Der, 1886, Miss Mollie Lppincott come to
this city from Brookfeld, Mo-, to visit
her aunt, Mrs. S. B. Crisvell. She was
then only sixteen years of age and very
pretty. Her mother says that before she
came to Kansas City she had never
had beau, and was an sophisticated coun-
try girl In February, 1887, Mr.. CrswelI
bought out the Farmers hotel at Third and
Walnut streets, just across the street from the
scene of yesterday mornings tragedy. Miss
Mollie and her sister. Miss Mamie. also a
| comely girl, waited on the t able after Girls
we'll took charge OF the Farmers hotel There
| Frank Tucker salesman in Richards Il Con-
| overs hardware store, met and fell in love
| with Miss MOllie. Set2el was a rival of Tuck
| er, but the girl preferred the latter and in
| May they were married. Up TO this time
| Frank Tucker had not seen his brother Robert
| since they were boys together. Shortly after
the marriage they met and the meeting was
cordial one. When Settler heard of the mar
riage he left the city.
A short time after CriSwen took charge of
fhp E0rFO Onrc1 hot al NJ I ivDnf
the parents of Mrs. Tucker came to Kansas
City from Brookfeld and opened boarding
| house on Independence avenue. Mr.. Lippin-
| colt had been a carpenter and farmer near
Brookfeld and had saved considerable money.
| When they started the boarding house Mr..
| and Mrs. Tucker went to live with them. Mr..
Lippincott, however, did not prosper. He
| was taken sick and yesterday was the first
| time he was out OF bed since few weeks
after his arrival in Kansas City
In just three months and two days after
| his marriage Mr.. Tucker died, leaving his
wife in delicate condition and without mon
| ey, Mr.. Robert Tucker, however, promised TO
look alter her, and gave her $500 to start with.
AS soon as Settler learned that Mrs. Tucker
was widow he returned to this city and ur-
ged her to marry him. She at first refused
and told him her condition, but he was per-
sistent and she finally consented to marry
him, against the strenuous remonstranc of
her family. In just three months and two
days after her first husbands DEATH just the
length Of time she had been married to him.
she married Settler. She was then just IL
years of age, had been a wife, a widow. was
wife again, and was soon to become a
moth er
Things went from bad to worse with the
Lippencotts and about month ago they
were obliged to move to cheap quarters over
the saloon at Third and Walnut streets, Mr..
and Mrs Settler going with them. Two weeks
ago Mrs. Settler gave birth to the child of Mr..
Tucker. Mr.. and Mrs Lippincott and Mrs.
Criswell say that Settler at once conceived
violent dislike for the oh lid, and they were
afraid he would Kill it. They say that the
Lippincotts and Mr.. and Mrs. Seltzer had
been living up to this time on the money given
Mrs. Settler by Mr. Robert Tucker, and that
Settler had not been supporting his wife. A
few days ago Mr.. Robert Tucker sent Mrs.
Settler $50 from New Orleans In response to
letter written by Mrs. Settler. telling him of
the birth of his brothers. child, and that the
$500 he had given her was all spent. When
Settler heard of the receipt OF the $50 he de-
manded that it be given to him, saying that
he could take care Of his wife. She refused
and he threatened trouble.
Saturday night he took bottle of whisky
to his room with him, and after they were in
bed he began to abuse his wife. About |
O'Clock yesterday morning she left him and
went TO her mothers room. Between and
O'Clock he got up, went to Mr.. Evans stable
went back to his room. Shortly after 10
o'clock he asked his wife, who was
still with her mother, to get him a clean
shirt. Her parents urged her not to go to
her room alone with her husband, but she
finally consented to 20. As she stepped into
the hallway Settler put his arm around her
neck lovingly, and in this manner they walk
ed into his room. He closed the door and
then, again placing his left arm around her
neck, Settler drew a revolver with his right
ha Hal nut ha
men. Quick as fash be turned the revolver
on himself and fired two shots.
Otto LippincOtt n 13-Tear-old brother OF
Mrs. Settler, heard the shots and burst open
the door Mrs. Settler staggered out and in
TO her mothers room and Settler followed
lie reached the back porch and fell. Sergeant
Morgan and Officer Todhunter heard the shots
ran up stairs aud found Settler on the porch.
He was at once removed 10 the central station
and a physician summoned to attend Mrs
Settler. The wound was at once pronounced
fatal Settlers wounds were examined at
the central station by City Physician Sturde-
want and DR.. Ritter, who announced that his
discovery was impossible. The man was re-
moved to the city hospital
Last night the following note was found In
Settlers room, written with red ink on q
piece Of common letter paper:
TO whom ii may concern: The cause Of
this deed was Louis and Mrs. LIppincott She
parted me and my wife aud / could not stand
this T. SELLER
Mr.. and Mrs. LipIincott say that b7 Louis
SETTLER evidently meant Otto. Mrs Settlers
l3Year old brother. The LippincOtts and
Mrs Criswel unite In saving that Settler
had lived of the money given his wife bg Mr..
Robert Tucker and had contributed nothing
but two months rent - his wlfe's SUPPORT,
He only worked at intervals, they sas. and
was continually demanding money Satur-
day night he put a new lock on bis bedroom
door after bis vile had refused 10 turn over
the 80 sent bY Mr.. Robert Tucker, aud said
that there would Ice such trouble a. they ala
not dream Of They also say that Settler
was morose. surly fellow who made no
friends an1 refused 10 say anything Of his
past life further thar that bis mother live! in
Illinois
AZ the central station Settler sald he had
done the shooting because his wife's relatives
had estFaDged him and his wife
Dead shot While stealing Feed.
FAIRBCRY. SEB., March 3l-The dead holy
Of Dan G. DAVIS Was found TO-DAY near the