Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1895-05-25
Old John Siers Shot and Killed
BY Mrs. Goddard.
THE RESULT or AN OLD FEUD
Siers' Erieni Used m Rifle Win pead,x
Ef fset On the Woman and Her
son-in-Law.

IN Idaho ami which has aroused intense
indigna tion in this community is the
sensation OF the hour.
| John siefs. familiarity known as
Buena," on account OF his deeds OF
Nalor ~ the famous battle of Buena
vista Is dead, with two bullet wounds
In his lack: NJ. r. Ward, one OF his as
sailants. Is probably fatally wounded
from Winchester bullets through the
s'ohac ?. ana Mrs. Goddard. who slew
sIefs, y In jail awaiting the action
OF the cofoner's jury, which is
now holding an inquest over Siers.
The tr2ublt is the outcome OF a feud
OF long standing. but was aggravated
oy a more recent disagreement about
SSo worth OF personal property which
Mrs. q Pddard and Siers claimed.
Ten Years ago the firm OF Schissler &
slers was rePuted to be the wealthiest
IN north Idaho. possessing lands, stock
ana mo ney ir great abundance and be-
ing influential in all public matters.
sehissltr died six years ago. the Joint
property OF the estate was settled up.
and am ong other property was a farm
at Wahh, IL miles from Lewiston. which
was sol for $4,000 to NJ. F. Ward. n
son-in-l law OF Mrs. Goddard. and SIers
was 20 be the beneficiary OF the sale
Ward fought the place on time and has
never been able to pay up. and recent
~ Fred W. Piper. a son of Judge Piper
OF Mofcow. was appointed receiver
pending settlement OF the claim.
Mrs. Goddard's brother. a Mr.. Mott.
who al 20 was a close friend OF Siers,
mas bean living on the Waha place for
some time and recently became III.
trouble arose between him and his sis
ter ana ne was put out of the house and
forced 20 take up quarters In the barn
Slers Wished To call on his friend and
10 scttl le up some other matters as ne
Intended 10 leave shortly for Montana.
and made an appointment TO meet Re
ceiver Piper at the waha place
Yesterday. in company with three
friends Siers drove 10 the farm. An
ucipating trouble, he took with him a
winchester rife and a revolver He
did NOT drive into the Enclosure about
the house and barn, but left his friends
IN the wagon on the road. Before GO
ing in Me leaned his Winchester against
the Zen Re. II was the intention OF Siers
10 visit MS sick friend In the barn, Re-
ceiver Piper not being on the ground
When fairly on the way TO the door,
Ward. who was ambushed. opened fire
on him with a revolver. SIers turned
10 face him and drew his own gun AS
he was endeavorinF 10 locate his con-
cealed Antagonist Mrs. Goddard, who
was also invisible at first. came up from
behind and fired two shots from her ra-
viewer into Siers' back, infiicting fatal
wounds. AS the dying man was sink
fHHE ~ h
began 10 club Siers over the head with
his revblver.
The fusilade happened 80 quickly
that Siers' friends in the road had no
time 10 interfere. but when Ward com
menced to club the wounded man one
of Them said To be a Mr.. Shorthill ran
10 the fence where the rifle was lean
ing and began to shoot at Siers' assail-
ants. His aim was deadly. Ward was
sent TO the earth with two bullets In his
stomach and the pistol hand of Mrs.
Goddard was shattered at the wrist.
This stopped a further attack on
Siers, but reinforcements for the God
dard faction came from an unexpected
quartet. Her 13-year-old son, perceiv-
ing the wounds inflicted on his mother,
rushed from the house armed with a
Winchester rifle and revolver and
chased Shorthill to the Lake house, n
summer resort three miles from the
scene pf the tragedy. where Shorthill
finally evaded him.
AS sbon as assistance could be had
the two wounded assailants of Siers
and q he body OF their victim were
brought TO town.
Ward has three bullet wounds In the
stomach, but IL Is not yet known how
serious they may be. nor is Il known
whether Mrs. Goddard will lose her
hand
a cotoner's jury Is now holding an in
quest on the body of Siers. The bullets
found fitted the pistol of Mrs.
Godda I'd and there is little doubt but
that sfle was the sole cause of his death.
Mr.. Mott, her brother. denounces the
AFFAIR as cold-blooded murder and
the nelghbors. and In fact the majority
of citizens. believe the same way.
Siers was unmarried and was sup
posed 10 be wealthy. having large cat
tie nthrests In Montana In addition to
the property about Lewiston.
Mrs. Goddard is a widow. her hus-
band having been dead some time, and
she and her son-in-law were conduct
ing the farm where the tragedy oc-
Cured.