The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-03-25
THE FAMILY SHOT DOWN
JEALOUS HUSBAND SLEW
HIS WIFE AND RELATIVES.
posed of, He Blew His own
Drains Out.

Richmond, Mo-, March 21.--A tragedy
resulting in the deatn OF five members of
one family is reported from Orrlck a
small village So miles southwest of here
b. Rainwater a FARMER, shot and killed
his Wife; his mother-in-law, Mrs. William
Artman; his brotber-in-law, James Thur
man. and his little stepdaughter. Fanny
Gentry. Then. after so nearly extermi-
nating the whole family, the murderer
blew off the top of his own head, dying
instantly.
The tragedy occurred at the home of
William Artman, father-in-law of the
murderer, five miles distant from the
town of Orricl. Mrs. Rainwater had re-
Gently left her husband, ana, with Fanny
Gentry, daughter by a former hus-
band, had sought shelter at the home OF
her parents. Rainwater is reported 20
have been msanely jealous of his wife,
and 1t is believed he visited the Artman
home with the express purpose of killing
the whole family.
Sheriff Green has left here for the scene
Of the tragedy.
The tragedy occurred before midnight
last night at the home OF William Art-
man, Sr, father-in-law of the murderer.
The two families lived n quarter Of 4
mile apart, on the bank of the Missouri
river, three miles south of Orrick.
A RemorseIess Fiend.
Last week Mrs. Artman was taken sick
and sent for heI daughter to come and
stay with her. Fanny Gentry. Mrs Rain
waters daughter by former husband,
went with her mother On Saturday eN-
cnlng Rainwater who has been alone at
home for several days. went over to the
Artman house to spend the night. Dur
ing the evening he went to church with
his younger brother-in-law, Johnnie Art
man, AMI upon their return he appeared
in good humor. At bedtime Ranwater
md
shoot some dogs that were barking out
side. Altman consenting, they took n
shotgun and revolver and went out.
They hal gone but so yards from the
house when Rainwater, who was walk
Ing behind the boy. eveled his shotgun
and shot Artman in the back. Leaving
the boy for dead, Ranwater returned to
the house, where all the other members
we're by this time In bed. In one room
Mr.. and Mrs Artman Mrs. Rainwater
and her daughter Fanny Gentry, and n
l0-year-old daughter of the Artmans wei
in bed
Entering the room and leveling his gun
at the aged Mrs. Artman, the murderer
shouted, Damn youi l have got you all
now"
Mrs. Artman threw up her hands as he
fred. The charge carried off all OF her
fingers and tore away one side of her
face. She was instantly killed.
Turning around he literally blew his
wife's head off with the other charge in
the shotgun. Then. drawing revolver.
the murderer fired two bullets Into the
body of Fanny Gentry, one passing
through ler lungs and the other entering
the brain. She, too, died instantly.
For some unknown reason Rainwator
spared the aged Mr.. Artman and the
young Artman girl. The murderer then
deliberately loaded both barrels OF the
shotgun and went out into the dooryard.
| There he encountered Johnnie Artman,
whom he had left for dead. The boy had
| crawled almost to the door. Rainwatcr
| killed him with another charge. Which
| tore away part of the boys head.
| The murderer completed his most hor-
| rlble crime by leaning up against a fence,
| and, with the charge of buckshot remain
| ing in the gun, blowing off the top of his
| head.
| The tragedy was not known until this
morning, when the aged Artman and MS
| little daughter, who were almost beside
themselves with grief and fright, called
in some neghbors who We're passing BY
| Rainwater had been considered Jealous
| of his wife and had frequently quareleo
with her, but there had been nothing II
| his conduct to warn the family of his
| p1urdprous Intentions