The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-01-13
AVENGE THE MURDER.
Niagara County Farmers Mete
Out Swift Justice.
DEsPERADO's CAREER CUT SHORT.

after Fouily Numbering His Fsther-in- Law
the Villain Takes Flight. Pursued by .
Number OF Farmers-when Cornered
He Refuses To Surrender and After Fir.
lag into the Crowd several Times He Is
Riddled with Bullets
BUFFALO. n. Y. Jan 10 Late Friday
afternoon posse OF seventy-iive promi-
nent Niagara county farmers cornered In
form house and shot 10 death George II.
Smith, an ex-convict, who had murdered
his father-in-law three hours before.
Smiths victim was Robert Clapsaddle, a
farmer, who lived about mile south OF
the village of Ransomville He was 6s
years old and well known and respected
In the community Fourteen years ago
Clapsaddles eldest daughter nearly broke
his heart by marrying Smith, who was
then an incorporate, ne'er-do.well. She
had been attracted by his handsome bear
Ing and loft nome To join him. About
three years ago Smiths brutal ways caused
his wife TO obtain separation. Smith
believed it was by the influences Of her
father that his wife had taken this course
and he swore to be rcvcnged on him
smith sent tn Prison.
A year aud half ago the divorced wife
married John DeClute a farmer living
about four miles from Clapsaddle's house.
Her son, i2 years old, went to stay with
his grandfather Early last winter Smith
made desperate attempt to revenge him
self upon John Moore a prominent Ran
somyille man. who had incurred his en-
nifty He charged Moore with carrying
on the business of smuggling Cinnamon
into the United States at the Canadian
border Moore was tried and proved in
nocent. Ills accuser was convicted Of
perjury and sentenced TO serve year In
prison.
As he left the room with the sheriff,
Smith shook his fist mt his father-in- law,
and told him he would kill him when his
time was up. At / O'Clock Friday after
noon Smith called again at the Clapsad-
die house The old man was I'm the par
lor reading, and near him sat his young
est daughter smiths son was In an.
other part of The house. Smith sneaked
into the room aud was not seen by Miss
cl.sHeads s'SNAaaiil he had drawn revolver.
an time. -. AT lis ntly.
Of the rs,0'ycSl1 ycSl1apsaaals fell ~ ming was not
\ dying Instantly, neross the asr.inIaw's head
house and a1, S a posse s'.'s-'' =. ..
n ~as given AZ HnT rom peSahing. hnt I :,
Hail a mile a, a tsy 5ursucrs but #
tb. ~; WAS overt..se'hlf called out to ii
SIX, ss"S,l,@ mnen he saw hisN Nssrrender himseI M q
ruynoSny tired ont a ab0uTf every.I ,
~ ',,,irc to helt Hns xE-l.s-sa
~ ,d ,,S drew bls, ana as i isoc,hea : !.
So 10 say something / remarked | !
at it was very impertinent and that .
Ieasbt to Know ecvoTvsr ,siiiH ran toward
Browns house AZ the door he stopped
and fired shot AT his pursuers.
''The first man who follows me diesi''
he yelled.
Dashing past Brown. who had opened
the door, the murderer ran into the house
and locked himself in a clothes press.
This closet had window looking upon
the yard, and on learning this tho posse
went toward IT, One Of the posse told
Smith 20 surrender The assassin poked
his head out of the window and fired his
revolver into the posse.
The Killing of smith.
One shot passed through the wrist Of
young Elmer Clapsaddle, distant rela-
tive OF Smiths victim There were n score
of shotguns and rifles In the crowd and
they wore leyeled at the window and the
wall beneath It,
"Hold onl" cried Wolf. Well take him
alive If possible Come out Smith, and
guarantee you protection"
There was no reply in words. The muz-
sle Of the murdcror's pistol crept over the |
windowsill.
"Fire!" yelled Wolf.
The contents Of twenty guns and q |
dozen pistols went through the thin |
board siding IL was punctured like a
porous plaster There was a groan and |
the sound OF a falling body. The posse
rushed into the house and burst open the /
closet door. Smith was lying on the floor,
bis body riddled with bullets. When they /
picked up the murderer's dead body forty |
cartridges fell from his pocket He had
been armed for long fight