The record-union., 1892-11-21
Special to the REcoRD-Ux1ox.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.
CHICAGO, Nov. 20-Criminal annals in
this city record no more horrible crime,
nor one accompanied by more sensational
details, than that which brought death
into home this morning. Herman
Siegler, German, living with his wife
and three children at the residence of his
wites parents, Henry and Caroline Silas.
at 123 North Pauline street, shot his
father-in-law and mother-in-law, in
stantly killing each. The next victim
was his wife, but she was only slightly
wounded. Before the police were able to
disarm and arrest him he was wounded
in the right side by bullet from police
mans revolver, and removed to the
County Hospital
This morning Siegler told his wife he
intended to go hunting and went to his
brothers residence to borrow a shotgun,
which he secured, together with fifteen
cartridges, and returned to his own resi-
dence. He first placed the gun in a small
closet in the kitchen but removed it al
most Immediately and went into the par
lor with the weapon. The weapon terri
fed Siegier's little son and his screams
brought Mrs. Silas. and as she entered
the room Siegler attempted to elevate the
gun as though to shoot her. She rushed
up to him, threw her arms about his
neck and tried to take the gun from him.
keep away, God is with me-" shouted
SiegIer, as he pushed the aged woman
violently aside. Then pointing the gun
against her left breast he fired, and she
sank to the floor dead.
Mrs. Siegler, hearing the shot, ran out,
calling for assistance, and taking her
children with her as she passed through
the hall. Putting them in care of friends
she returned to the house, and as she
entered her husband fired again. Some
of the bullets struck her. One entered
the right ear, another the left arm. and
another in the right breast. None OF the
wounds are fatal.
The commotion aroused Mr.. SiIas, and
as he descended the stairs Siegler met
him, and raising the gun, which he had
reloaded, fired. Silas raised his arm to
protect his face and it received the full
charge. The flesh was torn from the
bone and number of shot entered the
right side. 1t is believed that Siegler
discharged the other barrel ofthe weapon
in his tather-in-law's face, as a portion Of
the latter's neck and right cheek was
torn away.
The shooting occurred while a large
congregation was leaving a church close
by, and soon large crowd surrounded
the house, and call was sent for the DO
lice. Officers soon arrived and entered
the front door OF the house, finding the
dead body of Mr.. Silas. Siegler was
standing in the dining-room, and as he
saw the officers he raised his gun, but did
not fire, for they hurriedly backed out.
Siegler followed closely, and when he
reached the door threw it open wide. The
people who had collected fell back. and as
Officer Simonson drew a revolver he
ordered Siegler to surrender. The reply
was a shot from the gun, which, fortu-
nately, went high, injuring no one. Simon
son returned the fire, and Siegier stag
gered back with a bullet in his right side.
Other officers arrived by this time and
an advance was made on the house. They
tried to force open the door, which Siegler
locked when he staggered back, and We're
greeted with a discharge from the gun.
Officer Donahue received slight wound
in the face. All was then quiet for a few
moments, when Siegler opened the door
and came out, still holding the gun, and
started up Pauline street apparently in 4
daZed condition.
The officers Immediately seized him
and had difficulty in placing him in
patrol wagon near by, as the crowd was
thoroughly iniuriated, and one man
made a vicious attempt to strike the
prisoner. Threats Of violence was heard
on every hand, and a number of revolv-
ers were drawn by citizens, whose actions
indicated that they were anxious to pun
ish the murderer without waiting the
course Of the law. Repeatedly Siegler
was struck, but at last he was placed in
the wagon and the horses whipped into
gallop. He was driven to the West Chi
cago avenue station, and at once taken
into Captain Ripley's private office.
There he made a statement, which was
brief, iucoherent and indicative of in
sanity. He said:
This morning 1 went to my brothers.
house to get a gun, as was told by our
Lord to go and get it. The Lord safd to
me, To-day is the day of judgment, and
you've got to be there | brought tho
gun home, and my mother-in-law, who
is witch, said to me, You've got to die
and l said PHI not go where you want to
send me. / shot her, and the old man
came down stairs and l was confused. 1
fired at the old man, and then went out
on the steps and the patrol wagon came
up. Then | was confused altogether. L
have been sick, and have had trouble"
Siegler's wound did not seem to pain
him, but ii bled profusely, and it was
thought best to send him to the County
Hospital, where the Doctors announced
that the wound was not fatal.
The tragedy took place while service
was being held in an adjoining church,
and the shots created such excitement
that it seemed for moment as though
there would be frightful panic among
the congregation.
This evening Siegler again talked of
the shooting, saying: "Why did l kill
them? Why, because was told to do it.
A message came from above and / could
not refuse to obey il. 1 came from Ger
many, and there the spirits used to tell
me what to do. 1 only did what the
spirits told me, and when l get out of
here there is going to be another big
fOb