Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-06-11
BRITISH HOLLOW MURDER.
TWO PERSONS SHOT oNE or THEM
DEAD

Schiifnlan Twice ana fAAtAs Aatti -
Bhndert
Historic British Hollow, jogging
peacefully along in her quiet valleg
between the rugged hills furnishes
tragedy that for all points of interest
has not been equaIed in this locality
for many wears. A mining town, hers
in early days were necessarily hardy
self-reliant people who bequeathed to
the present generation at least a few
characters who are war like on occa-
sions.
Last Thursday evening between
and s O'Clock men. women and child
rem turned out to hear the band play.
A respected citizen DR.. Hambitzer, /
was y years old on that day and he
was about to 90 on a two weeks visit
to his children in Milwaukee aud
Green Bay, Wis, and Houghton, Mich
Jean. Mrs. Hambitzer had organized
large party of surprise for her hus-
band. and owing to prominence IN
his profession and the friendships
formed in his long career as physician
the people generally made it an affair
Of their own and turned out to help
along the iollifcation, attired in holt
garments and with love and good will
Galore. Streets contiguous to the
sioctor's residence were filed with
ladies and children who stood in
groups or promenaded about casting
good-humored jokes and chatting
merrily with each other But there
are singing bees in the most beauti-
full blooms.
To the west OF Dr. Hambitzer's in
house owned by Mary Pedlar resided
John Webb with his three young
children. The companionable wife
and Kind mother Of the family died
something less than a year ago leay-
ing The duties Of her household 70 her
eldest daughter Mabel, aged 10 years
audit is said by some that the father
John has spent hours Of anguish at
the grave Of his lost Mile. However
shat may be, certain it is that John
Webb. who now languishes in jail
charged with murder, idolized and
was over indulgent with his three
motherless children. He worked hard
in the mines and brought to them all
his earnings. When he came home
at night and the little ones related to
him their childish tales of woe the
father ragged over wrongs done to
them and execrated his neighbors
whom he believed were leagued against
him for diabolical purposes, and as
time passed the list of people he hated
and who hated him grew longer and
and stronger.
A few rods farther to the west in
brick house belonging to Chas. Vim
cent resides j. w. Schiffman-called
by some persons Jake and by others
Jim Schiffman, and he personally
notified us that "Jim'' is correct and
as the simplicity of it is heartily en-
dorsed by the typesetter, we will use
the name Jim throughout this report
at the risk Of being severely criticized
by those who insist on having Jake
Mr.. schiffman is shoemaker by
trade, has canvassed for the Grant
County HERALD, just now works in
Potosi, has trim little wife and is the
father OF two pretty girls just appro-
aching the age OF long dresses. At
this writing he is laid up with the
grip and two ugly bullet wounds from
a revolver in the hands Of John Webb
Further on to the west and on the
same street resides Henry Blindert,
brother Of the store-keeper Peter
Blindert Henry has a large family
Of bright young children. Last
Thursday evening at little after 5
o'clock one of his children Lily, :
years old last February, was shot il
the forehead BY revolver in the
hands Of John Webb She lived about
one hour, dying at nearly 9 O'Clock
The funeral took place Saturday fore
noon At o'clock from the Catholic
church in DUTCH Hollow. Rev. Father
Pape conducting the services.
With view Of arriving at the facts
IN the case the editor Of the Herald
visited British Hollow Monday even
ing. and later talked with John Webb
at the Jail in Lancaster and herewith
presents interviews with some q the
Tie n-incinaI Mlrna..aa and the narI--