The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-13
COTTON FIELD TRAGEDY.
L,msun Gerken Shot to Death BY
Henry WeIlman.
,ouBLH WAS OF LONG STANDING.
L.reu Had Pcrsecuted Wellmnn's
n.ughter and Threatened 10
Annihilate the Family.

at a5 years old. had been shot and killed
Henry Wellmann, about so years of age.
al, known farmer Of the Wiede settle
mt in the postoaks, about seven miles
rtheast Of Brennan, but as no indict-
mt had been sworn out names were
,,tted in the brief dispatch sent The Post
St night.
The first person to bring the news was
ellmann himself, who came in town to
reuder. He did not surrender. however.
4 returned home and was arrested later
"a brought to town, where he spent the
eht Mt the Pennington hotel in the GUS
Nv of Messrs. Joe Check and w. l..
II was after o'clock when other parties
rived for Justice w. r. Ewing to go out
Id hold an inquest.
Gerken was found dead in the cotton field
Mrs. s. A. Williams farm, Just beyond
ennis Taylors place, about twelve miles
prtheast of Brennan. Near by lay cot
IN sack partly filled with the fleecy
aple.
The body was examined and several holes
Fere found two in the head one in the
de and others in the back. The holes were
pnarently about the size of an ordinary
lad pencil, but whether made with buck
hot or bullets from a small caliber gun
pistol the justice was unable to deter
pine. The clothing was powder burned
here one of the bullets entered at the
ide and seemed to have been almost set
u fire by "a weapon discharged at close
ange. Gerken was quite dead. Justice
living found that he came to his death
rom gunshot wounds inflicted by Henry
Hellmann.
1t was about o'clock in the afternoon
I November II. while Gerken was picking
otton In the field and had his cotton sack
i his side when Wellmann and his son in
buggy drove up to the blacksmith shop
i the roadside at the edge of the field.
he old man got down out Of the buggy
ind going over to where Gerken was, he
poke to him, according to Wellmann's
5tatement, and asked him what he YVES
pad at him about, Gerken replied: "Be-
PAUSE you made complaint against me and
I'm going to Kill you,' and started at Well
pam. The old man says that then he
red with shotgun. and when Gerken
Parted TO run he followed him UP and
ired several shots at him with a pistol,
fliiing MIN. Wellmann says he was not in
pearch of Gerken at the time he saw him
(n the field, but was going to see a click
pMn named Seeker. He disclaims that he
fven knew Gerken was on the Williams
place, but when he saw him he thought
Pc could have quiet talk with him and
Pdlust their difficulties peaceably He says
Pc Knew Gerken usually went armed and
Ehen Gerken started towards him with the
[en.afK That he was going to kill him,
Pc ilred as he thought in self-defense.
Inc trouble between Wellmann and Ger
zen mas been brewing for more than two
FEARS and Wellmann once before shot Ger
zen wounding him in the leg and laying
nln UP for several menths
IL was in the fall of 1896. Gerken had
peeh paving court to Louisa, n daughter of
Msr. Wellmann. The father objected and
Lhe young lady tried to discourage Gerken
put she, 1t is stated, was afraid of him
lnu permitted his attention from fear
,atner than affection. Gerken was finally
oroidden by Wellmann to visit his house
y u speak to his daughter This angered
.erRen and he swure revenge. One night
~ 4, december. 1895, Gerken shot twice into
y ~, ,e'iinaii mousse This was December s
t Id on Christmas day he again rode into
me yard which surrounds Wellmann's resi-
renee and was ordered away by Wellmann:
70 went OIL little piece and fred off his
'mWA. Wellmann. who was at home, re-
W neu the nre wounding Gerken as above
ua,eu. The bone was either Clipped or
'lohen and Gerlken was confined to his
'eo LOT months. As soon as he was able
get about again he resumed his atten-
= 10 MISS Wellmann, which now took
ne FORM Of persecution He wrote her
threatening and improper letters. An effort
vas "a made by Wellmann to have him han
Iieu by the United States for sending such
.asers through the mails and the matter
,as submitted to the postoffice authorities.
~. hOdhing ever came Of It,
- complaint was made against Wellmann
narglng him with assault with intent to
u uei Ierken and on December 26, 1895,
\ waved examination and was admitted
pail to await tho action of the grand
ury' No indictment was returned by the
rand Jury. - NV
u a,uthen continued to make threats against
aei, III. and his family. About month
o. o. "eiimahn made complaint against Ger
~ charging him with threatening to take
10 NE OF human being. Gerken was
,a.so ana on October 26 waived exam
r@.on and his bond was fixed AIT 500 to
~. ~ before the county court. He made
oona Wednesday and was released from
lstody. Wellmann came TO town Thurs
~ ana learned that Gerken was not In
bove stated. w. 30
~, me'imann appeared before the justice
oure friday and was admitted to tenn
D.ary baii in the sum of $4,000 to appear |
d n; examining trial Tuesday. Noyem5er l6. !
as pcndsmen are Frank Dobert, =. Wer- !,
=. M, zoe Geick and VIM. Wehmeyer.
an ne young lady, Miss Louisa Wellmann,
i'h whom Gerken was In love. is engaged |
De married 10 another. The wedding |
' a. SCI Tor some time next month Il is |
~, ~, Gerken had threatened to kill not |
~, rs weiimann, but the young lady, har in |
'nueu' and then kill himself.
CHURCH SoCIABLE.
me congregation of st. Peters Epis- /
pa church met at the Exchange Hotel |
l',Ors Thursday night for the purpose OF |
wing church social and giving the con-
esat'on chance to get acquainted with
: new members who have recently Joined
!. church or been added TO the congrega- |
~ uy some OF the male members getting |
lied IN other places and thereby in |
vasihg the membership. there being four |
, ,as,e OF this kind on the list Ct invited |
,o ore rector, Rev. G. E. Lloyd. made