The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1893-02-10
DousLE TRAGEDY.


Mr.. Herman Hecker arrived in Albany
horseback, from near Scio, at about z 80
this morning, and hunted up Coroner
Farrell in time for that gentleman to
leave on the O'Clock o. p. train for the
scene OF one OF the worst tragedies ever
occurring in Linn county. A DRMocRAT
man saw Mr.. Hecker and obtained from
him the following particulars;
Otto Serfiing, well known all over Linn
county, resides about three miles this
side OF Scio. In June, 1891, his wife
died. About six months afterwards he
was married to Mrs Lydia Johnson, in
Portland, MFR Serfiing being her third
husband. They do not seem to have
gotten along very well together. Mrs
Serfiing made q number OF trips to Port
land, and only recently returned from q
several weeks trip there. and the indica-
tions were had decided to leave Sertiing
permanently, having packed her trunk
yesterday probably ior that purpose
Last night party was held at the resi-
dence Of Mr. Fred Mespelt. Mr. Serfing
went early in the evening, walking, and
later Mrs SeTfiing and q son and daughter
OF Mr. Serfiing, in hack. Three other
sons were also present. When Mrs Ser
fling entered Mr. Serfiing was playing
cards with Mr. Hecksr and two others.
He arose, went and whispered something
to his wife, and then went out and 10 his
home. This was before O'Clock in the
evening. Mrs Serfling remained until
about 2 80 this morning when she re-
turned home with two or three oi the
sons, son and daughter remaining at
the party, whore dancing was in progress.
Whils lamp was being lighted in the
sitting room Mrs Serfiing went into the
bedroom. A FIRE was burning, but there
was no light except that from bright
morning, it being clear at the time. Ser
fling was waiting, sitting in . chair. and
had evidently been there all night. A
hired girl was also in the house. With
out warning, before Mrs Serfiing had
taken on her veil, he shot his wife with
revolver, hitting her just under the
nose, and then shot himself under the
ear. Three shots were fired In all. Both
died probably instantly. Neighbors and
those attending the party were called in.
All was confusion when Mr Hecker left
the place.
A young man, whom Mrs Serfing
claimed was a nephew, there, but in al
oauy c3tu Was - eous AasE4 WAtli kslCA1s
and probably caused some trouble At
one time Mrs Serfiing and the young
man were in Albany and tried TO get
rooms TO open an intelligence Office, hay-
ing been IN the business before. but il
seems made up with Serfiing again. Par
ties posted in reference 10 the marital
affairs OF the couple, say Mrs Serfling
was undoubtedly trying TO get all OF Ser
fiing's money possible, and several let
ters in Albany show that she wanted
SlC00 TO help pay an indebtedness on
some Portland Heights property. She
also wanted . house and lot in her name
in Albany. Serfiing objected, though he
gave her several hundred dollars. He
was in Albany about q month ago and
bad his will drawn, leaving his property
to his children. He remarked at the
time that he proposed to kill himself on
account OF his troubles with his wife,
whom, with all her desertioas Of him. he
sesws 10 have thought great deal oi, a.
abe was Q shrewd, nice LOOKING woman.
Both were about fifty years OF age.