The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-12-29
Riddl.d with Bullets.

Steven Spellen, OF Du Bois, Pa, VINO
Wednesday night murdered Michael
Raher. was captured Thursday morning
affer keeping q posse Of officers at bay all
night. He fought until the last and did
not deser. his house until threat was
made to burn him out Even thon he
made dash for liberty and sought safety
in a deep water shan, from which place
be was dislodged by turning steam aud
hot water upon him. Forced 70 vacate
the shan. Spellen faced the officers and
returned shot for shot until he fell rid
died with buekshot and bullets.
Raher lived next door to Spellen'
Wednesday he called on Nora Spellen.
sister Of the murderer. The two men
had no harsh words before the shooting.
but there was a grudge between them on
account Of some trouble they had about
five months ago. While Raher and the
eirl were sitting in the front room togeth-
er, her brother Steven stepped in with
the gun in his hand and fired at Raher
at close range, killing him instantly. The
girl ran out OF the house. leaving there
HtI uEOlltI anu ltI Nn0 " - AZ
an upper room sick, and the dead body
Of ner lover. Spellen then dragged
Raher's body out of the house feet first.
He returned to the house and barred the
doors. Miss Spellen ran 10 the house of
another brother, Joseph Spellen, who
gave the alarm and notified the police of
what had occurred
a messenger WAS sent for men enough
to thoroughly guard the house. Fourteen
men were finally stationed about, and at
dawn Chief Blair broke open the door
and entered, taking several deputies
along. Spellen had retreated 10 the second
story and when Blair demanded that he
surrender he began shooting at him. He
fred three shots without effect, and the
officers warned him if he made further
resistance they would set fire to the house
and burn him out The desperate man
fired another shot at his puIsuers on the
stairs, and then made dash for liberty,
leaping through rear window and run
ming over the roof Of an adjacent apart
ment He shot at about everybody in
sight as he made his way out, and the fire
was returned. Spellen broke away in the
/ direction of the shsft of the city water
works. about 80 yards distant. He reach
ed the shaft and disappeared after firing
parting shot Several Of the officers
| followed and went down as far as the
| first landing.
Spellen answered their calls to surren-
/ der with challenges. An effort was made
TO steam him out by attaching hose to the
boiler in the power house, and as one of
the parties began peering about to learn
what effect the steam had on the situation
Spellen sent a bullet whistling past his
head. This created just enough surprise
10 allow him 10 escape TO the surface
/ again. He ran north from the shaft with
Chief Blair close 10 his heels, others fol-
! lowing in the chase. As the eeing as
sassin fouLd he was losing in the race he
/ wheeled and fired at Blair, who was with
/ in two yards of him. The ball but slight
/ ly wounded the officers shoulder. Then
/ Blair fired and those behind him did
| likewise. Spellen continued to shoot,
/ firing rapidly and scattering the crowd,
slightly wOunding two persons. Erastus
! Buterbaugh was hit in the right wrist
and A. L. Mott in the foot. The engage
ment was much more disastrous to Spell
len. He fell a few steps farther on with
his skin literally peppered with buck
shot, and balls from revolvers. He was
taken to Glegars undertaking rooms in
the custody of the officers and turned
over to the attention of two physicians.
Tonight the chances are against him.
Sasllen is a railroad fireman, about 26
years old and of surly disposition.