Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-02-18
WAS SHE MURDERED?
Fl Tragedy OF Eighteen Hundred
Eilhtu-five Recalled.
Mark W. Townsend Arrested in Ritzville,Wash-
ington and Brought TO Grant county By
Sheriff Jas MoGonigai

recall the awful Tragedy thal occutieo
at Hurricane in the fall OF 1885. Mark
w Townsend shot and killed his wife
while she was at work about the house.
The bali entered the back of the head
and produced death almost instantly
Townsend admitted that he shot
his wife but claimed the shoot
inc was accidental that he was
cleaning his revolver and it went off
accidentlly with the terrible result
mentioned.
The community was greatly shock
ed over the affair and the findings Of
the coroner's inquest was looked for
with intense interest. Nothing devel-
oped however to disprove Townsend 5
claim of the accident and the matter
rested there until few weeks ago.
But Notwithstanding the absence OF
legal proceedings the case has been
rehearsed again and again by neigh
bors and acquaintances and ugly ru-
mors concerning Townsend and his
domestic + ,latious ever since. 1t has
been related that his wife was in the
way of his ambition to get better
education and to make money. that
Sygthe thought of rearing family was ex-
= tremelv hateful to him, that he was tv-
rannical and unkind to his wife and fam
ily and that his account Of the tragedy
was satisfactory and his actions at
ter the occurrence very suspicious.
There are not lacking friends though
that defend Mr.. Townsend and deny
the stories of his conduct and it was
due to the influences of these friends.
some of them prominent citizens, that
further investigation was not made at
the time of the killing Aass.
A few weeks ago gentleman nam
ed Hartsook from Washington came
to Lancaster to look up Townsend 5
history. After visiting the scene of
the tragedy, getting affidavits and adj
yislng with the district attorney a
warrant was sworn out for Townsend's
arrest in Boscobel, Hartsook being
\ the complaining witness.
The necessary steps for extradition
papers were taken and under sheriff
McGonigal set out at once for his man
, in Washington.
Subsequent events are well explain
ed by the following from the Spokes-
man-Review of Spokane Falls, Friday
morning issue:
STANDING upon the depot platform
at Ritzville, Adams county, yesterday
morning, when the east bound North
err Pacific overland pulled into the
station. was Mark w. Townsend. for
eight years resident of that county,
prominent in educational affairs, him
self teacher, then in Ritzville as a
member of the board for examination
of teachers applying for certificates.
"a stranger stepped from the train
aud handed his grip to hotel man.
An instant later his eye fell upon
Townsend. Here give me back that
grip he said to the hotel runner.
The stranger was sheriff McGonigal
of Grant county, Wisconsin. He was
returning from Olympia with papers
for the arrest and extradition of Town
send and he had come this long dis
lance to take Townsend back to Grant
county. there to stand trial for the
murder of his wife ten years ago, and
possibly to answer the charge of NAL
treating one of his children in a man
ner that afterwards caused its death.
Sheriff McGonigal stepped up to the
fugitive and said: Townsend. | want
you. have warrant for your ar
rest. Come aboard the train
I Townsend silently complied, the
tram pulled out on its long eastern
journey and the little group OF by
ISLANDERS were left to wonder.
..On the way between Ritzville and
/ Spokane Sheriff McGonigal explained
to Townsend the purpose OF his arrest
and the grave nature OF the crime that
is alleged against him.
Here is the story. as told Yesterday
to q Spokesman Review reporter bv
Attorney jill. Hartson.of Ritzville. the
man who discovered the clue to Town
\ sends past life. and who Went back
! to Wisconsin aud learned the story.
light years ago Townsend came
/ IS Adams county He was . teacher