Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20
SHOT Gun AS A PERSUADER
Story Told by John W. Miller of York
Concerning Note,
FORCED TO SIGN BY TWO DtSPiRADoeS
George kinEcn and William Win
ninEer Charged with Having Ex-
tortcd Money by threatening
the Complainant with Death.

YORK. Neb, Feb. 1s.-(Special)-G Gorge
Krgen and William Winninger the two men
who were arrested in Lincoln a few days
ago for the crime Of petit larceny, are in the
city Jail at this place. Their hearing was
today. While the complaint which is against
them is for stealing chickens, which they
seem to have done In wholesale way, more
serious charges will be instituted against
them, for a crime committed at this place
some nights ago. when they held up and
robbed John w. Miller Of this pace.
AS told by Miller, he received a note from
a woman. whose husband is now in the
county jail. Jonas Reynolds, to call at her
urgent business According to the story told
by him, he called one evening and was ad-
mitted by Mrs. Reynolds. While talking
with her there was loud rap and second
later the door was broken down and two
men stood before Miller, one having double
barrelled shotgun leveled at Miler's breast.
The command was given to throw up his
hards The two men were kingen and
Winninger. They bound him firmly, and he
was laid on the floor. Kingen told him that
he had but few minutes to live, for, as he
said they intended to blow the top of his
head of, and chuck his body under the ice
Of the creek" A creek runs close to the
of moral persuasion and tried to convince
them that they would gain nothing by that
kind of procedure. but they could have
what he had about him. They then proceeded
to search him, all the while abusing him
shamefully. They found some change and a
silver watch This did not suit them and
they insisted upon Miller giving them an
order for a team which he owned. Miller
declined to do this. While they were parley
ing Miller edged his way toward the stove
and kicked 1t over, hoping to attract atten-
tion from outsiders. However, this failed,
as he was Immediately covered with gun,
and ordered to lay quiet. At last a settle
ment was effected, Miller signing a note for
$500 in favor Of Kingen, which would be due
in September. Miller was then allowed to
depart, but forced to walk home, about half
a mile, without shoes or coat or vest
Before allowing him to go they made him
sv ear that he would never tell what they
had done, and made awful threats in the
event he did so.
For several years there has been hard
feelings between Miller and Kingen. Kingen
was iacarcerated in the county jail at one
time and escaped Miller discovered him
doing so and notified the jailer. Kingen was
captured and sent to the penitentiary for
the crime he was being held for, that of as
sault with attempt to kill Since his return
he has made frequent threats to get "even"
with Miller, and it is thought by many that
Miller's going to the house was all planned
prior to the robbery. Kingen had been in
the pententary but short time when he
was paroled to farmer of this county. He
had not been there but short time, how
ever, when he was shot and seriously
wounded by Frank Hazelett, his brother-in-
law He was tried for the crime. but ac-
Quilted. Winninger, the other man, has also
SET we'd a term in the penitentiary Tor holding
up man several years ago.