The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-08
WIFE SHOT In COLD BLOOD.
WIDRIG, TIE MURDERER, cAU6HT
AFTER A LONG PURSUIT..

AnEry NeiEhhoru Declare That TAey WIN
Lynoh Hiu-The UsproVeked Crime OF a
WORTHLESS Hnsbnnd ia Erie County-Ane,
killing his WIZ ne Fired at Ror visitsr.
BUFFALO. Aug. T.-warren widris, a WORTH
l IS wife-beating resident OF the town Of Spring.
VILE. Erie county, shot and instantly killed hia
wife at ll:3o last night. The crime was com
mitted in the presence Of Miss Eta Ware, who
had called at tho widrig farmhouse to see
her pet dog, which Mrs. Widrig was keeping
for her. After numbering his wife widriR
tired a parting shot at Miss Ware, and
escaped. The bullet grazed the young woman's
wrist. Miss C~randall, who was in a buggy OUT
on the road awaiting the coming Of Miss Ware.
drove to the village and raised the alarm.
Physicians and other citizens went to the
WidriR house. where they found the dead body
In n pool OF blood on the kitchen floor.
News OF the crime spread rapidly, and soon
tho house was surrounded by hundreds Of
citizens. They formed into armed posses and
began a systematic search OF all the roads lead
ing from tho village. The deputy sheriff sworo
in all the men he could and armed them. He
ala this partly to help In the hunt for the mnrS
derer and partly to prevent l%ynching, which the
angry mob declared would be done II widrig
fell into their hands. All night and through
tho day the posses followed each trail. and the
longer the search continued the more eager b.
ann ID men TOT the OlOOd OF N1urlg. TO-ntRhe
1t Is reported that he has been located In a
heavy piece of timberland back OF Rireville, q
small hamlet in Cataraugus county. about seven
miles from Springvillc. Armed men have sur
rounded the woods. and they declare that IL
idris is there they will take him. dead or
alive. Sheriff Lamy, n brother OF State Senator
Laniy. is in personal command OF the deputies.
but he will have a hard time to keep the muir
derer from u quick death at the END or a rope IL
the enraHed mtn OF Springville get sight of him.
,,Widrtgs crime was brutal amt unpruvoked.
Mrs. Widrig was respected BY all tn. villagers.
While he was despised and detested TOR his many
alleged crimes. He has con lessed 10 arson, az.
sault. larceny. and burglary. He is a big. buriy
tough, and last spring he was convicted OF wife
beating and ent TO the pen for sixty days. A
release after he had served a few DAYS of Inc
sentence. His wife had not lived with him since
When ,Widrig returned from the pen to
SprinSrt,ie h confessed to having burned Sow
eral oaris. some OF his own to gain the insur-
for, revenge. lie also declared that he had
stolen chickens. committed assaults. ami had
to restore all in bis power ard then stand trial
on account OF the burned buildings and the
stolen chickens, His reformation was thoughs
While Miss Ware was talking with Mrs.
Mldris last night the dog barked and the
The door was pushed in and a large man stepped
into the room. With an oath he pulled the
trigger OF the revolver he carried in his right
hred the remaining bullets at the PROSTATE
form. Miss Ware started to run to the next
room and then tried TO climb through n window.
The man went outside and fired a parting shot
Through the window al Miss Ware.
Miss Wares description of the murderer
tallies exactly with that OF widrig, except that
she, said he was smooth shaven. II was learned
today that Widrig had his bushy beard re-
novel two days ago. He is missing from his
usual haunts. and the posses are certain that
the man they are ,hasing is Widrig. 1t is said
mat ne was seen riding through the town of
Eiicottville at 1 o'clock this morning. lashing Q
WORKOUT horse, hut as the nurue WAS not
known OF there AT the time he was not stopped.
Every deputy sheriff In the county is on tho
trail. and Widrig cannot remain at large much
longer.
THE MURDERER CAPTURED.
BUFFALO. Aug. s.-Sheriff LaIny of Erie
county captured Widrig near the village Ct
Machias, n. ", Just before Midnight.