The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-28
LYNCH LAW At THE NORTH
A Lawyer Shot bv Par
ties to a Suit.
THE AUTHORITIES DEFIED
BY Two Men Who Commit Deliberate
Murder Because They Lose a Case
In Court. and Assassinate the Oppos.
ing AttOrney-An Enraged POpulace
Surround Their Barricaded House
Determined on Revenge-The State
Militia Called Out

Bowling Green, O.. March 25.-E. II.
Westenhaver, of North Baltimore, one
of the best konwn attorneys in this
county, was murdered at Hoytsville
shortly after noon today. He was try
ing case against Paul and John Celt-
ner for attorney fees and when the
court adjourned at noon the brothers
demanded certain papers which he re-
fused to surrender. John Zeltner fired
at the attorney, who ran out Of do ors,
the ball striking Westenhaver in the
right side. Four more shots were fred
at him, but they did not take effect.
At the corner of the building Paul
Zeltner met him and fired two shots at
Westenhaver, one striking the leg and
the other going into his forehead.
Death resulted in ten minutes. After
the murder the Zeltners fed to their
homes at Hoyst corner, pursued by a
crowd of several hundred men. The
Zeltners stood boldly in their yard all
the afternoon, and defied arrest. There
was a frequent exchange of shots be-
tween the fugitives and the crowd at
long range and man named Witten-
myer, who crossed an open space was
killed.
Sheriff Kingsbury and a posse OF
deputies were soon on the scene, but
the fusillade of shots kept up by the
ZeltnerS prevented any effort being
made to capture them. Later in the
day the Zeltners retired within the
house, but without effect. The sheriff
then decided to call for the Bloomdale
Rifles. Meantime a guard was station
ed round the house. This evening a
neighbor of the Zeltners went into the
house under a flag of truce and tried
to induce them to surrender, but they
declined to do so before morning, fear
ing the mob. Every effort is to be
made to prevent lynching. This will
be difficult in view of the temper of
the people who are incensed, not only
by the killing of Westenhaver, but by
the death Of Wittenmyer who is re-
Spected citizen.
The sheriff will appeal to the COVER
nor for sufficient troops to protect the
Zeltners when they are in custody.
The Zeltners seem to have prepared
for the trouble, as they had sold their
farm, and bought a large quantity Of
ammunition only yesterday.
Columbus, O., March Ex-Governor
Bushnell was tonight appraised Of the
riot at Hoytsville and at once ordered
troops held in readiness for an emer-
gency. The news came in the following
dispatch to the adjutant general:
''Bloomdale, O., March 25
Just got telegram from sheriff Of
Wood county to report at Hoytsville
at once with as many men and ammu-
milton as possible. Will leave here
about 11:3O. Zeltner brothers shot and
killed Lawyer Westenhaver and have
barricaded themselves in their house
three miles from Hoytsville which is
now surrounded by hundreds of citi-
zens Of whom two or three have since
been shot. S. BRYANT,
Lieutenant Colonel"
The governor at once placed himself
in communication with Colonel Bry-
ant, and orders were sent to Colonel
Kuert, of the Second regiment, at Ken
ton, to be in readiness to proceed to
Hoyts Corners. Orders were also sent
to Captain James, of Toledo, to hold
the Toledo State volunteers in readiness.
The Bloomdale troops arrived at
Hoytsville late tonight and surrounded
the Zeltner house. AIT 1:30 o'clock this
morning the militia opened fire on the
house and there has been a continual
| fire on both sides. 1t is not yet known
whether any one has been killed