Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-11-10
Arrested for Numbering a Widow, H
COnfeSSeS It,
ANDTHE EMURDER OF HER HUSBAND
The Crime for Which He Was
Arrested Was Most Brutal.
Beat the Woman Into Insensi-
bility, Outraged Her, and Threw
Her Supposedly Dead Body
Into a Well-The Cook Gang
Loose in Kansas Again-Head-
ing for Coffeyville.

FARGO, n. D., November 9.-N. j..
| Villars was brought to the Csss County
Jail to-day by Sheriff Eddy Of Stouts-
wtE his prisoner just in advance OF a
mob which was on its way TO take him
from jail and lynch him. On the way
/ here Villars confessed TO the horrible
crime with which he is charged. Tuesday
evening Villars went TOT the farm OF
Mrs. Fromer, in Montpelier township,
Stutsman county. Mrs. Fromer saw
him at the barn. and went out to see
what he wanted. When she ap-
preached Vilars knocked her down
with a club and beat her into insensi-
billty. He dragged her into the barn
and assaulted her, then threw her into
the well in the barn, set the barn on
| fire and left. The barn burned
to the ground, but Mrs. Fromer, who
who was still alive, escaped death in
the well. Toward morning she managed
to climb out of the we'll and got to the
house. Taking her children with her,
she crawled on her hands and knees TO
a neighbors two miles away. and died
after telling her story. Villars was cap
tured at ValleyCity and taken to James
town by Sheriff Stensboel. He Is one OF
the oldest farmer in Stutsman county
and has a highly respectable family. A
large mob gathered at Montpelier and
strted for jamestown TO lynch him, but
Sheriff Eddy heard Of their coming Ia
time to escape. Mllars to-
night confessed to another
crime. A month ago Mr.. Fromer,
husband OF the woman he murdered
mySteriouslY disappeared. Villars says
he killed Fromer, and that his body will
be found buried In pile OF manure
back OF the barn.
THE COOK GANG AT WoaK.
CoFFEYvILLE, KAN, November O.
Two of the Cook gang plundered the
town of Lsnapah, l. T., AND left bloody
trail behind them this afternoon. They
entered the towd in their character OF
bold bandits, without any attempt at
conceal ment, and terroriZed the citizens
until they had carried out their plans
of robbery. Z. E. Milton, a brave
young man who attempted TO stop them
with his gun when they were riding
away was buOb anu hlil0u IL
stantly. Another man whose name
cannot be learned tonight, is
reported TO have been seriously
wounded. Both Of the victims were
with a small force Of citizens who hast
lily armed themselves and attempted TO
prevent the escape of the bandits. Some
of the citizens claim to have recognized
them as Cherokee Bill and jim French,
we'll known lieutenants Of Bill Cook,
the leader OF the gang. The robbers
held up the proprietors Of two stores
and looted both places. They also
robbed the postoffice.
An effort was made to stop them, but
they were On horse back with drawn
pistols and were flying away before
their would-be captorS could make a
concentrated move. Melton was more
rash than the others and met death in
consequences.
A report says the bandits are headed
for CoffeyvilIe, which is only fifteen
miles from Linapsh. This place 10 the
scene Of many tragic ro0beres and the
police department with volunteers are
prepared to meet them in the same way
they met the Daltons two years ago
when almost the entire bsRd was wiped
ont,