, 1890-11-29
A TERRIBLE AFFAIR,
Judge Bergman Shot Himself Yes.
terdaY Morning.
He Is Dangerously Hurt, But May
Recover.
The Sight of Both His Eyes Proba.
bly, forsyer Lost.

About five minutes after s O'Clock yes
terday morning, Probate Judge and
County Treasurer Isaac Bergman walked
into the Office of County Clerk Fredendall.
He advanced to the counter in his usual
manner and told Fredendall that he had
left the county warrant book in the clerks
Office Il short time before as he had
got through with it. Fredendall said he
had received the book all right and then
offered Judge Bergman some money
which he had received from a gentleman
living ir the northern part of the county
who wished to pay his taxes.
Never mind the money now" said
Bergman. give it to me sometime this
evening and l will attend to the matter"
By this time Fredendall had resumed
his seat at his desk with his side face to
Bergman and resumed his work. Berg
man bad both hands in his pockets and
showed no signs of excitement beyond a
reserve which has been noticed in his de-
meanor for some months past, to use the
language OF Mr.. Fredendall. After being
in the county clerks office for about three
minutes Judge Bergman started rather
impulsively toward the door but turned
sharply around just before he reached it.
Fredendall looked up from his work at the
same moment and inquired: rs there
anything more l can do for you Ike2"
NO" he SAID rather slowly, Il guess
there is nothing"
He then quickly opened the door, went
out and closed it, walked across the hall
to the door of his own office and entering,
let down the catch OF the spring lock.
Scarcely half a minute later there was a
loud report. Deputy Sheriff Thomasson,
who was at the safe in the Office adjoining
the county treasurer's. heard it and so did
County Clerk Fredendall, who was at
work just across the hall. Neither gave
the matter a second thought for they took
it for granted that it was the flap at one
end of the counter in Judge Bergman's
Office, which had fallen and made the
noise. Almost Immediately thereafter
there was a second report. followed by a
third. Deputy Sheriff Thomasson,
County Clerk Fredendall and Mr.. Lean
ing, one OF his assistants, ran out at the
same instant.
At the same moment a bullet came
crashing through the panel Of the second
door along the hallway, and. being de-
hected upward, lodged IN the plaster be-
side the casing OF the county clerk door.
The three men were naturally greatly ex-
cited. They hastily tried both office
doors. and falling to gain admisslon-as
they were both locked-Thomasson rushed
outside and peered into the south window.
Bergman was inside the high counter in
the Office, and was bent forward toward
the safe, SO that only the top Of his head
was visible. From the movement of his
head he seemed to be Juggling at some
thing in his Lands. Thomasson tried to
raise the window, but failing, rushed to
n of the west side windows, but had
barely reached it when the fifth shot was
fired. Bergman Immediately fell forward
on the floor.
In the meantime both Fredendall and
Leaning we're vainly trying to force the
doors. When the fifth shot went off
Leaning rushed against one of the panels
with Tremendous force and shattered it.
He then inserted his hand and pulling
back the spring lock opened the door.
The three men hastily entered the room.
Judge Bergman lay almost directly III
front of one of the west windows and
inside the counter. He was bleeding
profusely and was already surrounded by
a pool which seemed to contain several
quarts Of blood. The Judge was perfectly
conscious. His face was horribly dis
figured. Several times he called his wife
He then asked some water which
Tbomasson hastily brought him. This
be drank with apparent feverishness and
added a request hat the blood be wiped
out of his eyes. He complained OF its
being chilly and the window was shut
down In consequence.
FredendAll ran hastily for a doctor. In
the meantime a croEd began to rapidly
collect. A stretcher was hastily in
provised aud the body OF ihe sufferer vas
placed upon it. He was taken home by
Luke voorhees,. Ira FredendSA, u. w.
Whitcomb, Pitt Covert and Henry
Altman. A messenger was sent in ad
vance to notify Mrs. Bergman. That lady
was seated at breakfast with her ssn-in-
law Mr.. Frank A. Kemp, of Omaha.
How the Deed Was Done.
When Judge Bergman was first found