Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-31
A MIDNIGHT FIGHT.
A Woman Shot During Desperate
Struggle Between Three Men
NOW IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION
The Affair Occurs at q Lonesome Spot
Upon the Crest of Hill.
PICTURESQUE GLENFIELD'S SENSATION

PICTURESQUE GLENFIELD'S SENSATION
Glenfeld has a sensation and everybody
there is talking of it. Mrs. Elizabeth
Richie was shot and seriously wounded last
Tuesday night upon the hill farm of
Adolph Bingley during desperate strug-
gle between the farmer and two male mem-
bers of the Richie family over q jug of cider.
Two versions of the affair are e1tant, but
the more reputable people of the pictur-
esque little village are disposed to credit
the story told by the farmer.
Adolph A. Bingley, a German of some
ffty-four years, resides alone with his wife
upon his farm which lies on the west of one
OF the many hills adjacent to Glenfeld. The
farm is some fifteen minutes walk from the
nearest house. Mrs. Bingley is sixty-fve
years of age and quite active For several
years the old couple have lived in the lone
illness of their lofty home and by frugal
management have productive orchard and
rich farm. One of the principal means
of the Bingley couple is their orchard
which yields many barrels of cider
per year. A large cellar near the quaint
little home of the twain is stored with an
cient casks that have held gallons upon
gsllons OF choice cider during the last sew
eral years. Quietude and loneliness are
the features of the Bingley farm, as it is sur
rounded with the solitude of a wood of
dense growth. 1t was here, far away from
assistance of any kind, out of hearing and
out of sight. that the trouble of last
Tuesday night occurred with such
dire results. According to Bing-
ley the following is the correct
version of the affair as obtained BY Dis
PATCH man through the kindness of John
G. Benzenhoeffer, q prominent citizen of
Glenfeld.
Tho Status Of tho Story.
Last year Jacob Richie incurred debt of
So 60 to Adolph Bingley, which was al
lowed to run on without comment by Bing-
ley. Tuesday morning last Hugh Richie,
with his brother Jacob and the latter's son
Samuel, went to the Norris farm,
half mile from the Biugley place,
to harvest hay on shares. The contract
was made by Jacob Richie and the brother
Hugh was to be given q part of the share
obtained by Jacob. The trio, with Frank
Zeigmeyer, an employe of Jacob Richie,
started for home with their part of the hay,
about $50 or 6 o'clock. As they passed the
farm OF Bingley a quarrel over some trivial
matter arose and the entire party became
involved. The event made considerable
noise and Farmer Bingley came up on
the high road to amicably settle
the matter, if possible. The appear
ance of Bingley had but little effect, and
still quarreling the men started down the
hill to Bingley's barn to pay the debt of
last years incursion. While throwing the
hay into the barn, Bingley was struck by
the pitchfork of Samuel Richie and slightly
wounded upon the forehead. He paid no
attention to this, however, as the men had
been drinking, and Bingley did not hold the
man responsible for his act
Bineley Treats tho Mon.
After the hay was unloaded Bingley was
called upon to treat with some of his cider
and produced quart bottle, as the day was
excessively warm and the men exhausted.
The cider disposed of, Jacob Richie and
Frank Zeigmeyer started home with the
team Of horses and the remainder of the
hay. Hugh Richie and his nephew Sam re-
mained at the Bingley farm and induced
Bingley to produce more cider. The day
faded and short time later the Richie men
became more or less intoxicated Soon they
demanded more cider, and owing to their
condition Bingley refused them. Immedi-
ately they became greatly incensed and
violently demanded the liquor. Bingley
went into the house thinking the men
would 60 home, and he and his wife
prepared to retire The men, very
angry, proceeded to the house and began
pounding upon the door, and with most
vituperative words demanded more liquor.
Owing to the late hour, the intense dark
ness Of the night and the loneliness of the
place, Bingley began to fear for the life of
himself and wife, as the threats of the men
were against the entire Bingley family,
which consisted of the two old people. He,
men from the door.
Binsley Fired at the Intruders.
They refused, and to frighten them Bing-
With cries of fury the two powerful fel-
lows threw themselves upon Bingley and
Wrestling the fowling piece from his hands
broke it into q half dozen pieces.
About that time Mrs. Richie appeared with
her 7-year-old son and endeavored to pacify |
the men. They retreated, but threatened |
to burn the barn and house. Bingley, to
see they did not work any mischief, fol- |
lowed them for a few yards, and then they |
began stoning the old man and his |
wife. The latter was struck upon the left
knee and an ugly wound made
Sam Richie, hearing the old
lady's scream for help, became
infuriated and seized upon the old man and
beat him with large, heavy stone upon the
shoulder and head, and stabbed him twice
in the left arm with large penknife.
Finally escaping, Bingley ran back to the
house and secured an old musket that has
been used for years against the natural
enemy of the farmer-the hawks. Armed
with this he again ordered the men from
his premises They, greatly augered, set
again upon him, notwithstanding
his weak condition from the
loss of blood he had suffered and muttering
attempted to wrest the gun away from him.
He exerted himself to the utmost and tried
% hold the weapon when it suddenly went
IF and Mrs. Richie, who had been trying to
eparate them, received the full charge in
Ter neck and fell to the ground with q
cream.
Ths Assassins Lent Their Aid.
The unexpected outcome partially So
,ered the two Richie men and all three
prang to the wounded woman's assistance.
vas summoned and dressed the wound of
# lantern. She was subsequently re-
moved to her cabin home half mile
istant upon the Glenield highway, where
he now lies in serious if not dangerous
This story was told through an inter-
'reter to The DISPATCH man by Bingley
nd his wife and in corrohoratiou the des- |