The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-03-29
MuRpERous BROTHERS


n Beaieging Party-F Finally Landed
In Jail.
Bowling Green, o., March 27.-De-
velopments since the capture of John
and Paul Zeltner in Wood county yes
terday indicate that they not only de-
liberated over the bloody defiance OF
law, but also prepared for it by having
a large stock of ammunition in their
residence two miles from Hoyt's Cor
ners.
f. H. Westenhauer, ex-solicitor of
North Baltimore, had been their attor-
ney in numerous cases and sued them
for his fees. The jury and witnesses
had been sworn on Saturday before
Justice Burgoon in the township house
at Hoyt's Corners, in Westenhaner's
suit to recover fees, when Paul Zeltner
demanded some papers Of Westenhauer
and attempted to take them from his
pocket John Zeltner then joined
in demanding the papers and imme-
diately fred the shot that killed West
enhauer. As the Zeltners had their
horses ready for mounting and escape,
it is thought that they mad arranged
to get Westenhauer into fight for the
purpose of "doing him." although they
did not give the victim time to make
any demonstrations towards them.
The Zeltners kept up their firing un-
til they mounted their horses and con-
tinued it as hundreds of citizens pur-
sued them for two miles to their resi-
dence. After they reached their house
they kept up constant firing the rest
of the day and night. They not only
went to the trial fully armed, but they
had ammunition at home for contin-
ued fusillades and still left large
stock on hand
While the feeling is intense around
murder of Westenhauer, it is equally
intense around Hoyt's Corners on ac-
count of the killing Of their neighbor,
Clarence Weidmeyer. who was with the
sheriff's posse Saturday night. When
Weidmeyer fell volley after volley was
poured into the crowd from the up
per story of the Zeltner house, and the
Zeltners knew they were firing on thei-
neighbors as well as on the sheriff
and his deputies.
Before the arrival of troops during
the night cannon used in shooting
oil tanks when they are on fire and a
quantity of nitro-glycerine had been
secured so there would have been
trouble after sunrise il the troops had
not arrived. The Zeltner brothers
and their families were no doubt saved
by the prompt arrival of the troops
under the orders of Gov. Bushnell.
The Bloomdale militia company
reached the neighborhood of the Zelt-
ner home at 1870 a. m. 1t found the
mob of citizens had pickets posted and
was opposing all approach to the
house. On challenge by the captain
Of the company reply in the nature Of
a volley from revolvers was sent.
The troops stood the firing from the
house and the enraged crowd and not
only captured the desperadoes. hut
also protected them from violence all
the way from the southern boundary
of this county to the Jail here, dis
tance of over 90 miles, with excitement
at the highest pitch all along the route
in connection with the participation oi
the two women and four children in
the Zeltner barricaded house, it is stat
ed as further proof of deliberation that
the Zeltners transferred their farms
and other property on Friday to Mrs
John Zeltner.
At $50 Sunday morning ex-Sherifi
Riggs, accompanied by neighbol
named Brown, started towards the
house. They walked the distance
alone. The Zeltners offered no re-
sistance to their approach and they
were admitted to the house.
Mr.. Riggs told them that the. malitif
was ready TO make an attack on The
house and that they would be CON
PEELED to surrender and that they hat
better give up peaceably. The Zelt
ners seemed not disposed at first 4
give up ard 81 iG that they 'elred TIT
mob which remained outside o
the mli,il lines. They tried % in'uet
Mr.. Riggc 10 accompany them ihrcugl
the timber, but he refused anl they
were told .llry wouid NOT be- mOiestct
If they gave IL their arms and accorl
panied nm to The Jail. Ate: hall al
hours talk they agreed.