Telegram-herald., 1890-07-23
He HAD TO DO 1t.
Roadhouse Acknowledges Killing
Engineer Vandeyender.
re Claims that Ne Vas Forced 70 Do
So 20 Save ss1s Own Life-f's
Account Of the Struggle.
A sAr1I4 FoR LsFE

VAN wERT. o. July - The mys-
terry surrounding TIE horrible murder OF
Engineer Maaisoa Nandeyender has al
last been cleared away by confession
from Fireman Samuel R0aahouse. The
coroner commenced tie inquest Mon
day morning. All Of the testimony IN
troduced verified what has been stated
in former dispatches concerning the Ill
feeling between the men.
Road house, when he heard how
strong the evidence was against him,
was still confined to his bed and, after
few moments deliberation. said:
"Sheriff, | want 10 tell you something.
KILLED Vandeyender While he was
speaking his throat elogged and he ut
tered the last three words in husky
voice. He continued. after few mo-
ments:
.Ic.l il in selfdefense. He accused me q
informing the superintendent that he was
drunk at Devils Lake last week and, although
offered 10 prove 10 him that had not report
ed him, he refused TO believe mc, and had been
abusing me more or less since then.
Last Friday while were al
Franklin getting ready TO 90 out On
our run we had a quarrel ard came near ex-
changing blows. We were seen by several
railroad men, and IL is partially on this account
that ! decided 10 give up. When We reached
Enterprise he commented on me again
and said: D you. I'll ex you Van was
powerful and desperate. and 10 tell the
facts Of the case. i was afraid OF him.
After leaving Enterprise he repeated the
threat, and walked back 10 the tool box when
he wasn't looking and axed the hsnrl4 they
foand with the handle sticking out so / could
grasp it. ! then started back 10 my
seat in the cab. Just before i reached
II Van reached out his left arm and
dealt me terrible blow the left
side OF the head was staggered for
a moment and Just as 1 was about recovered
be raised his right hand from the throttle and
gave ne another terrible blow on the right side
OF the head. AS / had by this time turned
around 10 reach for the hammer, this blow, al
though fearful one, did not iniure me, al
though my head was cot.
"I jumped back grabbed the hammer, and
catching il with both hands raised H. and.
throwing all my weight on il, brought il
down on Vans head with all the force I
could muster. In the meantime we had been
watching each other like hawks and had
10 watch for q gooc chance. The first blow
did not appear 10 stun him and i showered
several more biovs-I don't remember how
maryland did not quit until he lay still.
on his side of the engine, where he was found.
] shut down the engine and kept a good lookout
ahead for danger. hardly realized what had
done until it was over with. At first / did
not know what 10 DO, so I lay down on the floor
OF the engine and ia the few minutes which
elapsed IL came 10 me 10 hI the story told
DR.. Woods. In coming into Van Vert leaned
out the passagewsy leading into the cab OF the
engine and saw that the Pittsburgh, Fort
Wayne Chicago track was clear and let the
engine go, deciding 20 wait until she
would run down and then let some one find u.s.
just as we had passed the depot Van raised his
head and again picked up the hammer and
dealt him another blow which opened his head
I felt the blood and brains spatter on my face.
That was all You know the rest"
The fact of Roadhouses confession
was kept quiet until he could be placed
in the county Jail, as it was feared that
should the news get out there would be
an attempt to lynch him, coming so soon
after the funeral of the murdered man.