The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-09-21
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY
AT GARRETT.
Peter Meyers Kills John Lsnhart
and Mortally Wounds Hi.
chael Carney.
IS BARRIczDKD IN A HOUSE AND RE-
FUSES TO SURRENDER

49, - ~-----~@ -N-~---
The little town Of Garrett. this county,
was The scene Of terrible tragedy at 5
O'Clock yesterday afternoon. when Peter
Meyers emplied the contents of double
breech loading shotgun into the body OF
Michael Carney, and afterwards shot
john Lenhart. a deputy-consiable, blow
ing of the top of his head. Carney is
unconscious, and the attending physician
says he cannot survive throug hout the
night, while Lenhart's body, supposed
10 be cold in death, is lying in the house
where the murderer has taken refuge
and declares he viii kill any person who
comes within range of his gun. The
house in which Meyers is barricaded is
surrounded by an angry mob of citizens.
who say they viii lynch him when cap
tured, but up TO this hour none have
ventured to approach the building.
Sheriff NJ. Il. Hartzell left here at six
o'clock in response TO urgent appeals over
the phone for assistance, and upon his
arrival at Garrett will make an effort to
capture Meyers.
The double tragedy is the outcome OF
feud between Peter Meyers and his
father, Christian. Peters mother, who
died fogr months ago. was the owner of
two lots of ground on which there is a
good frame dwelling house and outbuild-
ings. Shortly before her death she made
a deed of the property to her son, but her
husband declined to affix his signature
to the instrument, and after his wife's
death he claimed life estate in the prop
erty. Yesterday afternoon Christian
Meyers, accompanied by Michael Carney
and Rudolph Baker, went TO the house
for the purpose of making some repairs
to the doors and windows. Baker and
the senior Meyers entered the building
and Carney remained outside. Suddenly
Baker called Look out ~ and an instant
afterwards Peter Meyers, who had been
lurking about the property, fired, the
charge of shot striking Carney in the
spine few inches above the hips. Car
ney dropped 10 the ground mortally
wounded. Turning to Baker the mur-
derer said, "You son of a b.; your
turn comes next" Then he fled to the
home of George Judy, where he has been
boarding, and where he is said to be at
this writing concealed in the cellar IF the
building and holding crowd Of several
hundred people at bay with his gun.
The senior Meyers and Baker carried
Carney to his home and notified Con-
stable Nelson Lenhart TO arrest the muir
derer. Constable Lenhart deputized his
brother John to go with him and make
the arrest. The moment they entered
house Meyers blazed away at them with
his gun, shooting John Lenhart in the
face. His brother declares that he was
killed instantly and died without utter
ing a word.
The report of the gun was heard by
nearly all the inhabitants of the town,
and news of the double murder flew like
wildfire. Men, women and children sur
rounded the building, bat all were afraid
to approach it.
Carney has wife and three small chill
dren. He is coal miner and is said to
have been steady. trustworthy citizen.
John Lenhart also worked in the mines
near Garrett He leaves wife and two
small children.
The murderer is twenty-seven years of
age and unmarried.
It is believed that Meyers premeditated
murder, for the reason that he borrowed
the gun with which be did the shooting
only yesterday from Merchant w. A.
Merrill's store. Mr.. Merrill was absent
from home, but when he returned from
Pittsburg. and learned that Meyers had
borrowed his gun he sent for it-knowing
of the bad blood existing between Meyers
and his father, but the weapon had al
ready done its bloody work.
Lenhart's body was recovered at 9
o'clock. His lower jaw was shot away
and death was instantaneous. Mrs. Judy,
" 1O was IA tnt Aohctf " a.
carried 10 the house of a neighbor.
Sheriff Hartzell arrived at Garr4t at
o'clock and as soon as he secures a war
rant for Meyers arrest will storm the
house.
Carney expired at 1890 o'clock.
Justice Hefliey arrived at Garrett at
1890 o'clock and issued a warrant for the
arrest of Meyers.
At Il:30 o'clock Sheriff Hartzell and
several members of his posse forced an
into the house but found no trace
of the murderer. They then went to the
scene of the first killing where Meyers
was found in the celler. He made an ef-
tort to shoot the Sheriff but dropped his
gun when Fred Dupont, of Company l,
showed his Springfield rifle in his face.
He was placed under arrest and while
being conducted 10 the hotel some one in
the crowd dealt the prisoner . fearful
blow on the head with the butt of a gun.
cutting a long cash in his head and rem
dering him unconscious. The murderer
will be brought TO Jail at an early hour
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