The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1891-05-01
A MURDEROUS MILLER.

week a man named Charles Denny, of this
city, attempted to shoot Mrs. Millie Smith,
daughter of Mr.. Adam Radir who resides a
short distance across the river. The cir
cumstances which led up to the attempted
murder are as follows: Mrs. Smith lives with |
her parents and has resided since her |
separation from her husband some years |
ago. Denny had been employed by |
Mr.. Radir on the farm until some months
since, when he accepted position in the
Corvallis Touring mills. For some time
Mrs. S. received the attentions of Denny
and subsequently refused to become his wife
Denny continued his visits, however, until
it BECAME necessary for her to renounce him
altogether. He became engaged to, and
married another lady who, soon afterward
obtained divorce from him. Denny then
desired to renew his attentions to Mrs.
Smith and for some time past has followed
her footsteps insidiously, importuned her
and subjected the unfortunate lady to much
humiliation by his actions. Mrs. S. had
repeatedly told Denny that did she desire to
marry him her relations to Smith would
prevent as she was not divorced.
On Thursday night as Mrs. S. was finish
ing work in the kitchen Denny appeared
at large open window and when she ap-
preached to entreat him to leave he grasped
her and drew her to the outside and carried
her to the road Meantime her screams at
tracted her father, who had retired, and a
farm hand named Hansen. The family were
unprepared for such turn of affairs but
Mr.. Radir seized an unloaded shotgun for
, which there was no ammunition: and with
!. Mr.. Hansen went to the rescue. Mr.. Ra-
: dir drew up the gun and commanded Denny
u to loose his grasp on his daughter, but in-
stead of complying, the villain placed Mrs.
Smith before him, drew a revolver himself
and ordered the rescuers to stand back.
Denny appeared to have the better of the
situation, and after many fruitless ell
deavors to induce him to surrender his prize,
the father started to this city for assistance.
II instructing the hired man to remain close to
r his Daughter.
It appeared to be the purpose of Denny
:. to bring Mrs. s. to this city, away from the
o influence and protection Of her father, when
r. he hoped that she, by threats or otherwise.
could be induced to marry him. During
"a the two hours succeeding the departure OF
, Mr. Radir Mrs. S. was carried and dragged
=, a distance of mile in the direction of Cor
- Wallis, she the while struggling to free her
self and imploring Hansen not to leave her.
Mr.. Radir first endeavored to secure the
assistance of Sheriff Mackay but that gen.
T tleman did not regard the case ID one in
which he could legally take action, the Of
- tense being committed in Linn county
:. MIR. Radir at length obtaiued other assist
- ance On the way to the scene it was de-
!, clded rather than risk tragedy, that
- tacit agreemen. be made that objections to
>, marriage be withdrawn in order to induce
i, Denny to allow the lady to remain at home
,, and that his arrest be made on the morrow.
! In pursuance of the plan the release of Mrs
- Smith was effected without difficulty, and
-. quiet reigned for the time being The next
chapter appears in the Albany Herald thus
. yesterday morning Mr.. Radir came te
this city to procure Denny's arrest. In thu
ry meantime Denny had come to Albany ano
s, had secured marriage license, James Muir
or ray being his witness He engaged justice
in Humphrey to perform the ceremony, ane
of agreed to meet him at Schmeer's livery sta
Bile to take him with team to Corvallis.
Mr.. Humphrey had gone to the stable
when Mr. Radir accompanied by his daugh
ter. and the hired man Hansen, drove up IL
te buggy He began talking about the cas-
Oh and thew went into the Office of the stable
While they were there Denny came III. IL
exhibited his marriage license, and tol'
Mrs. Smith to 90 with him. She refused
or to leave her father, when Denny seized he
oo and attempted to take her out of the office
Mr.. Humphrey and others prevented hin
. from doing this, when he stepped backward
and drawing revolver, fired at Mrs. Smith
As he did so James Wheeler, an employe il
the stable, seized his arm and the shot wen
+o. wild and struck the wall. The ball mar
81, rowly missed Justice Humphrey, as well a
the lady for whom it was intended. After
-, fierce tussle Denny was overpowered an
his led off to the Jail by Marshal Hoffman, bu
on in the encounter he struck Hansen severi
we severe blows over the head with his revo
Ue ora yer, which laid the scalp open to the skull
He also seized Mrs. Smith by the thros
and choked her until she was black In th
face and kicked at her most viciously.
"Denny was arraigned before Justis
. Humphrey The court having full know
edge of the murderous assault, declined
ey hear any witnesses, and very properly pla
J. ed his bonds at $4,000, and was inearcerate
in jail to await the action of the gran
20 jury"
ok
til NOTECETO SETTLE