Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-12-21

luSly TlSkeu tuelr lives LOT the SaIeCy OF
the people, we think it shame for any
one to censure them. Sheriff Christen
is also abused for having four men with
him, but remember that when he asked
for volunteers from about $50 men in
Highlandville, who knew Kjerland,
not one would 60, and that it is custo-
mary to search for such character as
Kjerland with posse of from so to 100
men. These five men alone forced
Kjerland to commit suicide, thus saw
ing the county large sum of money,
and are entitled to the thanks of every
citizen. Wonder how many of these
"kickers" would go if asked? Several
parties were asked to go before Mizener
and Olson were called upon, but re-
fused, and we believe it was a wise
plan to call upon these men who could
be trusted with this daring undertake
ing.
1t is amusing to read the reports
of the tragedy in the daily papers. The
following from the Cedar Rapids Ga
qette is decidedly funny when COM
pared with the facts
DEcoRAH, Iowa, Dec. IL. John Tilland
and Lars Aarhmer have been for years
neighboring farmers in the prosperous agri-
cultural region fifteen miles northeast Of this
town. Now Aarhmer lies dead at his home,
liac cortnnalv onA v,arha M a.
tally wounded at the Tilland home, and
Tilland, a fugitive from justice, is in hiding
in the big woods near the home of the two
families, while on the outskirts of the timber,
gathered in angry groups, are the residents
for miles around who only await an oppor-
tunity to wreak vengeance upon Tilland for
the shooting of his wife and Aarhmer, in case
they are able to catch him. II the temper of
Tilland's pursuers remains the same his only
safety will lie in escaping detection, or in his
arrest by the sheriff and his deputies before
his enraged neighbors lay hands upon him.
The peaceful community is terribly wrought
up over the tragedy Of yesterday. The full
story of the causes which led to the tragedy
have not been told here. From the excited
messengers who have reached this place
some Of the PARTICULARS have been obtained.
Tilland and Aarhmer were comparatively
near neighbors. Both were prosperous
farmers and both were married. 1t is
thought that for some time Tilland has been
jealous of the attentions he supposed Aarh-
mer has been paying his wife. He has been
moody and respondent.
Yesterday morning, brooding, IL is believed,
over the supposed wrongs, Tilland took his
shotgun and started from home. He went
directly TO the farm of Aarhmer, whom he
found in a field, and shot him dead without a
word. Tilland then returned to his home
and shot his wife. as he supposed fatally.
After shooting the woman he fled. She did
not die and was able to give the alarm. The
shooting occurred between 10 and IL O'Clock.
Tilland started directly to what Is known as
the Big Woods, heavy timber along the Tur-
key river. He was tracked into the woods by
nefghbors who were hastily summoned. All
the afternoon parties secured the timber, but
could find no trace of Tiland. When twi-
light came on further search in the timber
seemed useless, but the parties spent the night
in patrolling the edges nearest to Tilland's
home. An alarm has been sent TO all sur.
rounding towns. and northeastern Iowa will
be thoroughly secured for the murderer to
day. Opinion is strongly against Tilland. and
IL is not thought he had sufficient reason fol
his murderous deed. Mis-. Tilland may re.
cover.