Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-11
A NOES REVENGE.
The Community Rids Itself of Bad Chara cter Who Had Murdered His Father
 in-LaW.


 vile this afternoon Robert Clapsaddle, an aged farmer was brutally murdered by his profigate son-in-law, G. H. Smith, and three hours later a posse meted out swift justice to the assassin, riddllng his body with a score of bullets.
 About three years ago Smiths absolute habits and brutality caused his wife to obtain a separation from him. Smith nursed the idea that Clapsaddle had in- duced his daughter to make this move. and just after the separation proceedings were begun he beat the old farmer in a brutal manner. He was sent to prison three times for this and other offenses, but the terms of his confinement were short About eighteen months ago Mrs. Smith married John DeClute, a farmer living about four miles from the Clap saddle house. Smith swore revenge upon old man Clapsaddle for alternating his wife's affections, but about this time he was convicted of perjury in swearing falsely against Farmer John Moore, whom he charged with smuggling China men. and was sent to prison for year. As he was taken from the court room he swore to kill Clapsaddle when he re- gained his liberty. His term expired November 1, and since that time he has lived a vagrant's life. Early this after noon he went to the house of his father
 
 and, without word of warning, fired a bullet into his head, killing him in- stantly. The murderer then fled across the fields, and the alarm being soon giv- en. a posse, headed by a deputy sheriff and a constable, gathered and started in pursuit. being followed by additions as the chase proceeded until it numbered over three score. Smiths course lay in the direction of DeClute's house, the home of his divorced wife, and the posse, fearing that he meditated further mur- ders hurried in the same direction They had gone about two and one-half miles when Smith was sighted in the distance about quarter of mile from DeClute's house. When the hunted murderer saw the posse closing in upon him he changed his direction and sped toward the house of a farmer named Brown, which he reached just as the posse came up.
 Turning in the doorway of the house Smith fired shot at his pursuers, shout ing: "The first man who follows me in here will be killed"
 The posse surrounded the house and Farmer Brown came out and told them Smith was secreted in a clothes press which had window looking upon the yard. A rush was made for this window, but Smith, thrusting his arm out of the opening fired another shot, which broke the arm of Elmer Clapsaddle, a relative of the murdered man. and the crowd drew back.
 Deputy Sheriff Wolf called upon the murderer to surrender, but received no response, and fearing that Smith was preparing for another attack, he ordered the posse to fire. Two score of rifles and shotguns rang out their reports and poured their contents into the wall of the house. The sound of a falling body and a groan followed the volley and the posse, entering the house, found Smith on the floor bleeding from dozen wounds and unconscious. He was brought to Ransomville, where he died late tonight
 Farmer Clapsaddle was one of the most respected men in Niagara county.