The San Francisco call., 1896-01-11
Fought the Pursuing Officers
Until His Life Paid the
Penalty.
SLEW AN AGED FATHER-IN-LAW
Was a Brutal Husband and Swore
Revenge Because His Wife Sc.
cured a Divorce.

BUFFALO, n. Y, Jan. 10.-At RANSOM
vile this afternoon Robert Clapsaddle, an
aged farmer, was brutally murdered by
his profigate son-in-law, George H. Smith,
ana three hours later posse meted out
swift justice to the assassin, riddling his
body with score of bullets
About three years ago Smith dissolute
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 Smiths di-
vorced wife married John de Clute, a
farmer, living about four miles from the
ClapsaddIe house. Smith swore revenge
upon old man Clapsaddle for alternating
his wife's affections, but about this time
be was convicted of perjury on swearing
falsely against Farmer John Moore, whom
he charged with smuggling Cinnamon,
and was sent to prison for a year.
AS he was taken from court he swore to
kill Clapsaddle when he regained his lib
erty. His term expired Novem Der l, and
since that time he has led vagrant's life.
Early this afternoon he went to the house
of his father-in-law, whom he found read
ing paper, and without q word of warn.
ing fired q bullet into his head, killing him
instantly.
The murderer then fed across the field
and the alarm being soon given a posse,
headed by Deputy Sheriff and Con-
stable, gathered and started in pursuit,
being increased by additions as the chase
proceeded until it numbered more than
threescore.
Smiths course lay in the direction OF
De CIute's house, the home of his divorced
wife, and the posse, fearing he meditated
further murder, hurried in the same direc-
ton. They had gone about two and q
half miles when Smith was sighted in the
distance about quarter of a mile from De
Clute'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
SmlIn HTSu u SliOb III his puISueTSt SDOQt-
ing, "The first man who follows me in
here will be killed" The posse sur
rounded the house, and Farmer Brown
came out and told them that Smith was
secreted in clothespress, which had a
window looking upon the yard. A rush
was made for this window, but Smith,
thrustlng his arm out of the opening, fired
another shot, which broke the arm oil
Elmer Clapsaddle, a relative of the mur-
dered man, and the crowd drew back.
Deputy Sheriff Wolf called upon the
murderer to surrender, but received no re-
sponse, and fearing that Smith was pre-
pairing for another attack he ordered the
posse to fire. Two score of rifles and shot
guns rang out and poured their contents
into the wall OF the house. The sound OF
falling body and a groan followed the
volley, and the posse on entering the house
found Smith on the floor, bleeding from q
dozen wounds and unconscious. He was