Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-09-07
Killed With a Spade.

h 49, -
the annals of crime in the Black Hills,
was perpetrated near Belmore's ranch
on the Custer and Buffalo Gap stage
road, twelve miles southeast Of this city
on Tuesday, the 3rd inst.
The victim Of the dreadful tragedy.
Jules Daudet, a Belgian by birth, en-
ployed by the Black Hills Telephone
Company as foreman of the line re-
pairers, and aged about 92 years, was
noted for his high moral character and
industrious habits. He met his death
at the hands of William Butcher, a man
of about 80 years of age, who had re-
Gently been employed by the company
as a line repairer, and the circumstances
connected with the tragic event, as near
as could be learned are briefly as fol-
lows:
On Tuesday morning Butcher was
engaged sinking new holes, necessary
in Strengthening the line, and Daudet,
upon finding n of them located some
distance out of line, called his attention
TO it, and told him to sink another hole,
designating the place where he should
dig it. Butcher finding the ground hard
and somewhat difficult to dig, concluded
to select another spot where the ground
was softer. and after digging 1t, Dandet
insisted upon his digging a hole at the
point designated by him, whereupon
Butcher commenced abusing him,
call ing him all name Of vile names,
and insisting that it was only for the
reason that the ground was hard and
difficult to dig that he was directed 10
dig the hole at that particular place.
He kept up his abuse for some time,
Daudet in The meantime paying but
little attention to him, when he finally
raised a spade, which he held in his
hand, and at a time when Daudet was
off his guard, struck him with the fiat
side of it across the right temple, knock
ing him down. This occurred about 10
o'clock in the forenoon, and notwith-
standing the fact Of the blow leaying o
mark upon his temple, and not ever
breaking, or causing the slightest per-
ceptible abrasion of the skin, death
ensued in less than two hours.
After the dastardly deed had been
committed, the murderer expressed the
deepest regret for his unwarranted
violence, and declaring his ~intentinn to
90 Immediately to Custer for a physician,
he hurriedly fled, and has not since
been seen or heard of up to this writing,
After the deceased had received the
fatal blow he was taken to the residence
of Mr.. Belmore, where he received
every attention that kind and willing
hands could bestow, but without avail,
as he lever regained consciousness after
receiving the blow.
His remains were brought to this city
on Wednesday by Paul Rewman, Supt.
of the company, accompanied by Louis
Hamrin and L L. Bradford, employees
Of the company who were present when
the sad affair occurred. The burial took
place on Thursday at the Cemetery.
LATER.
After the above was put in type the
news of the capture Of Butcher at Del.
richs on Wednesday evening by the
sheriff of Fall River county reached this
Office. Sheriff Wood, Of this place,
when apprised of the murder, left for
the scene of the crime, and after follow
ing his trail far enough to satisfy him
self that the fugitive would cross the
railroad a short distance north OF
Oelrichs. proceeded to Buffalo Gap, and
notified the officers at Oelrichs, who, in
a very short time succeeded in captur-
ing him The prisoner was turned over
to Sheriff Wood, who brought him to
this place on Thursday, where he now
languishes in the county Jail where
he will have ample time to reflect over
his dismal situation, pending the trial
of his case at the next term Of the dis
trict court.