The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-03
THE CULPRITCAUGHT
Arrest of the Man Who Shot
BlOOmstran.
THE WIFE's SAD NARRATIVE.


Taylor Stark. the Falls City grocer, who
shot and killed NeIs Bloomstran, the
father of his sweetheart, Chesty Bloom
stran. last Monday, was captured by
Sheriff Woolery and posse yesterday
morning, and he is now safe in the county
Jail. The people of Falls City are very bit
ter against the murderer, and the coroner's
jury brought in q verdict finding that
Bloomstran came to his death at the
hands. of Stark and that the killing was
''unprovoked and premeditated.
When found by the sheriff, Stark gave
himself up without lighting. On the jour
ney to Seattle he was vivacious and cheer
full. He had not heard of the coroner's
verdict, but said that he would come out
all right; that Bloomstran fired at him
first and that he fired back in self-defense.
This statement conflicts with those given
by the Bloomstran family.
Sheriff Woolery left for Falls City
Wednesday morning, with Deputies Nc
Donald, Wells and Johnston. He was
Joined at Gilman by Deputy J. ]. Jolly.
Coroner Horton accompanied the sheriff
from Seattle and the party arrived at
Falls City about noon the same day, and
the inquest was held at the farm of
an hour and o half later. The coroner
impaneled the following jury: S. E.
Likes, William Goldmeye-, James Fores-
man, r. L. King, Charles D. Going and
E. r. Barnes. After hearing the testi-
mony they brought in the following
verdict:
We, the coroners Jury cmpanelled and sworn
to diligently inquire into the cause OF the death
stray xvho az D.I0 Txro
day at his residence in King county, do find:
That said Nels Bloomstran came to his death by
gunshOt wounds inflicted by one Taylor Stark
and we find that the killing was unprOyoked
and premeditated
Mrs. Bloomst tran witnessed the killing
of her husband, and she related to the jury
how it came about. She said:
''Stark has been paying attention to my
stepdaughter, Chesty. II years old. We
objected to his coming to the house any
more. Monday Chesty went to town, and
the same morning she returned with
Stark. Stark said he wanted to see my
husband and myself alone. He said
he wanted to talk about Chesty.
My husband said he would not
talk to him, that he couldn't have the
girl, that she was not old enough. He
said when Chesty got old enough he did
not care whom she married. Then Stark
turned to me and said: What have you
to say2' said concurred with my hus-
band. He then turned to Chesty and
said: Come on He took her by the
hand and went out. My husband followed
and tried to take the girl away from him.
About 200 yards from the house he fired
shot in the air to frighten Stark. Stark
then pulled revolver and shot twice. NY
husband threw up his hands and reeled
against fence. As he fell to the ground
heard him say:
oh, my God, my God'
Sand that was all. Stark took Chesty
and went right on to town with her."
The testimony of the rest of the family
was virtually the same, except that of the
girl, Chesty. who was the cause of the
trouble. She seemed to suffer no renorse,
and testified as freely one way as she did
Che other. contradicting herself many
Times. The sheriff said that Bloom
stran was highly respected, and was con-
sidered the leading citizen about the
town.
Bloomstran's remains were buried last
evening.
As soon as the verdict was rendered
Sheriff Woolery started out to lind the
murderer. He learned that he was in hid
ing at place about three miles northeast
Of Falls Ny, and Wednesday night he
secretly went out there and made the cap
ture. Sheriff Woolery says the people of
the town are incensed at the justice of the
peace. DR.. Lansing, and his constable be-
cause they made no effort to apprehend
the murderer Both have excuses, how
ever. DIR. Lansing said no one made a
complaint. and therefore he could not is
sue warrant; and when chided for not
making the arres. the constable would
say: "How could arrest him without
warrant?" Although Sheriff Woolery
was not supplied with warrant he got his
man and took him to Jail.
Stark would no talk when seen by re-
porters last evening. He said he might
talk later. Mr. J. H. Lewis has been re-
tanned TO defend him.
Fell Into . Cattle Guard.
An accident which resulted in serious in
uries TO one of the visitors at the opening