The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-12-10
A DOUBLE TRAGEDY.
OUR VILLAGE STARTLED BY THE
NEWS OF MURDER AND
SUICIDE.
David HOke Shoots s. l.. Sage and
Then Takes His Own Life.

Inen IdkeS Ills OWn LlIe.
Monday afternoon, Dec. s, 1890, at fif.
teen mir utes of three o'clock word passed
swiftly along the streets that David Hoke
had shot his employer, Samuel l. Sage, a
grocery keeper in the Crosier building on
North Main street, and then taken his own
life. In very few minutes the street in
front oil the premises was blockaded with
people, all anxious to know the truth of
the report; but 1t proved to be too true.
MIR. Sage was found near the front en-.
trance on the floor in a dying condition,
with blood oozing from the left side of his
head where leaden ball had been sent
into his brain by the hand Of David Hoke.
In the ware room at the west end OF the
building was found the body of David
Hoke lying upon the floor dead, he having
shot himself, the ball entering the mouth
and leaving the head at the base of the
brain, which caused instant death. Mar
shal Williams guarded the door and ad-
mitted no one but those who had right
to enter. Drs. Smith, Rust and Hathaway
were summoned at once to aid the wound
ed man, but their verdict was that nothing
could be done for him and that death
would call him away in about three hours.
He was then carried to the residence of
his son-in-law, Mr.. Free Battle, on Me-
chanic street, where he died at 8:2O. The
remains of Mr.. Hoke were taken to his
late residence on Taylor street.
Although the streets were lined with
people from three o'clock until six every
thing was as quiet as though it were Sun.
day afternoon, when everybody was at
home. All went to the place and returned
feeling that It was a terrible crime that
had been enacted in our usually quiet viii
lage. Universal regret was expressed tina,
two OF our most peaceable citizens should
meet with such untimely deaths.
By six O'Clock people began to arrive
from the neighboring towns, and the
premises were visited until after nine
O'Clock.
THE CAUSE.
Monday evening was devoted to ascer.
tanning the real cause that brought abou,
such a state Of affairs, which is given a.
accurately as could be gathered. Marshal
Williams being the one who is general,
interviewed upon such matters, was invit
ed into our sanctum and made the follow
ing statement:
About five weeks ago | noticed thai
the business room of s. L. Sage wa
opened by Mr.. Hoke ready to receive Gus
TONERS by half past five O'Clock 10 tn,
morning. | paid no attention to II fo
a few mornings, but finally observed
that the principal customer was certain
woman who would leave the store will
well-filled baskets. informed Mr.. Sag,
OF the matter, but lie was slow tO move, a
he considered Mr. Hoke strictly honest
and thought that there must be some mis-
take; but he soon satisfied himsrlt tha
something was wrong. 1t was then ar
ranged to have person placed in position
In the building and watch the proceeding
of the early morning customers, and II wa
not only ascertained that he donated good
but sold goods for cash and did not &C
count tor 1t to Mr.. Sage"
What else toUk place at these morning
meetings will not be reported in this pa
per.
Several plans were suggested to com
pei Mr.. Hoke to settle with Mr.. Sage TO
the goods taken, and finally this one wa
selected. requested the woman WHIT
was seen at the grocery in the early morn
ing hours to appear before Mayor Coucl
Thursday evening, Dec. 4th, TO talk owe
matters. She at first scorned the idea, bu
finally put In an appearance. She saiC
that she had purchased goods at Mr.. Sage
store from Mr.. Hoke, and supposed tba
they were charged upon the books TO he
husband.
"This was the substance of the interview
which, of course threw no light upon lh,
case that would aid them In convictnJ
Mr.. Hoke OF crime in case he refused I,
settle. Saturday evening, Dec. 9th, wa
the time sci to confront Mr.. Hoke witt
the matter, which was done in the stor
after business hours in my presence. MI
Hoke at first denied every charge, bu
when matters we're LAID before him
backed up by proof, he decided TO max
clean breast Of the matter, which wa
done, and Monday evening, Dec. Slh, wa
selected for the time at which he shoul
settle with Mr. Sage, and II a satisfactor
settlement was not affected Mr.. Hok
was TO be placed under arrest Tuesda
, morning. Monday forenoon saw MI
Sage and he said that he had informe,
Mr.. Hoke what he would settle for, bu
, Mr.. Hoke thought It was too much to pa
as he never had taken halt that amount o
property and money; but Mr. Sage sal
} he was confident that he he'd and all h
! wanted was to be made whole. Mr., Hok
J had made special request Saturday even
ing that he be continued in Mr.. Sage's EN-
ploy until Monday evening, as leaving o.