Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1898-10-20
KILLING OF IRWIN LESNHI.
Particulars Of Shooting and Killing BY
Pfank COe.

Particulars Of Shooting and Killing BY
Frank COe.
In "Wednesday evenings mail from
Lincoln, the Roswell Register received
the following account OF the unfortunate
shooting ARRAY at Frank Gees farm on
the Ruidoso, Tuesday night, Oct. 4, which
resulted Ia the death Of irwin Lesnet:
Fort stanton, n A., Oct 81 suppose
ere this you have been apprised OF the
killing OF Irwin Lesnet by Frank COe
last tuesday night, at Goes ranch on the
RuidOso.
An kinds OF the widest rumors Of the
sad affair have been dating over this
county aud | presume they have reached
Roswell In the same way, and as both
parties are we'll known In Roswell. I will
Try TO give you an account Of the affair
~ nearly correct as possible, from one
who reached thu scene within an hour Of
thp shooting.
Young Lesnet had been strictly forbid
deu ~ come TO the place by Flank Zoe a
month before, for reasons best known to
himself. Yet, unheeding the warning,
young Lesnet Came n the night named
armed with Winchester and pistol with a
determination 10 carry his point at all
hazards, his purpose being 70 steal out
and spirit away heyUung daughter OF Mr.
COe. While Mr.. COe had been suspicious
and very yigiiAnt tor some time, he was
az pfai ed Oi danger on Tuesday evening
aud he kept a Close watch Of his premises
aud house until the moon came 40, about
10 o'clock. lie then went 10 bed, think
ipg there Was no lOnger any danger, that
night at least. He aud hts wife talked
iOr som time about the matter. Their
anxiety increasing the while, the mother
went to the girls room aud found her
bed vacant. Mr. Cle hastily dressed.
seized his gun aud ran 10 the barn 60 get
a horse aud follow, almost wild with rage
In being thus eyaded by the willy couple.
he had only budied his Cue MARI, Bird,
when he glanced out OF the east door Of
he barn and saw them coming toward
him In a fast walk. Lesnet had two
horses tied out, but In their haste he had
forgotten the girls saddle and they we're
returning to the barn Tor IL.
They had just passed through the cor
raj gate and separated. apparently four
or five feet, some twenty PAGES from the
barn door.
The moon was shining brightly by thi-
lime. Il was nov about 1890. COe
stepped quickly 10 the barn door and
called 10 Le-nst 20 hold up. Irwin, quick
az . flash, answered with his Winchester
which he carried in his hand, aud at
once whirled. COe shot as quick as he
could and caught him IA he turned
Irwin fell az he reached the gate, not
more than six feet, facing the barn In a
sitting posture. He threw another
cartridge into his gun but did not speak
or fire again. Irwin missed his mark but
killed the mare which Sir. COe had Just
btidled-she had followed him towards
the door.
When Lesnet fell, Mr.. Coe, 90 avoid his
shot stepped behind the door lamb, not
wanting 10 shoot any more, and watched
him a few seconds, until he settled down
backward.
The girl ran TO the house and Mr.. COe
went quickly 10 the orchard where Mr.
Dalton, a fruit peddler was camped. aud
rOusing the man told him TO 90 20 Irwin
quickly and help him 10 the house, II
still alive. When Dalton got near him
he called him by name two or three
times, but he lay very quiet.
The neigborhOOd was aroused at once
and before 3 o'clock the coroner ant
sheriff were sent for.
This Is the story Mr.. Coe told thI
nelghbors when they gathered in and 1
was corroborated by the girl, as TO tn
shOOting-the only part she saw. IN
vital point, OF course. except as TO thl
kind VI gun used by her father.
Ross COe, nephew OF Frank COe, wa
also arrested on Wednesday a. accessory
the charge OF murder being preferret
against Frank.
Mr.. COe was arrested on a charge o
murder and waived examination. Hi
bond was fixed At 100000. aud a salts
factory bond In that sun was made an
accepted Tuesday.