Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-26
MURDERERS At BAY,
They Are BaTTicaded in Their
Home and Defy Arrest
LAWYER THEIR FIRST VICTIM
Then They Shot Respected Citizen In
Crowd About Their House.
RATTLE WITH STATE TROOPS.
Compnny of Military Opens Fire on
the Fugitives and the shots Are
MISUNDERSTANDING Firing mt
Last Accounts
a BATTLE WITH STATE TROOPS.

BOWLING GREEN, o., March Oh.
Westenhaver of North Baltimore, one
of the best-known attorneys in this coun-
ty was murdered at Hoytsville shorty
after noon to-day. He was trying a
case against Paul and John Zeltner, Tor
attorneys fees, and when court ADJOURNED
at noon the brothers demanded certain
papers. which he refused to surrender.
John Zeltner fired at the attorney who
ran out OF doors. the ball striking West
enhaver in the right side. Four more
shots were fred at him, but they did not
take effect. At the corner of the build
ing Paul Zeltner met him, and fired two
shots at him, one striking leg and the
other going into the forehead. Death
then resulted in 10 minutes.
SECOND MAN KILLED.
After the murder the Zeltners fled 10
their home, at Hoyt's Corners, pursued
By crowd Of several hundred men. The
Zeltners stood boldly in their yard all the
afternoon and deied arrest. There was
an exchange of shots between the fugi-
tives and the crowd at long range. and
an open space, was killed.
Sheriff Kingsburg and posse of depu-
ties were soon on the scene, but the
fussillade of shots kept up by the Zelt-
ners prevented any effort being made to
capture them.
THEIR HOUSE A FORT.
Later in the day the Zeltners retired
within the house and barricaded it. a
hundred shots were fired into the house,
but without effect. The Sheriff then de-
cided to call for the Bloomdale Rifles
Meantime, guard was stationed around
the house. This evening a neighbor Of
the Zeltners went into the house, under
a flag of truce, and tried 10 induce them
| TO surrender, but they declined to do so
| before morning. fearing the mob
LYNCHING THREATENED.
Every effort is to be made to prevent a
| lynching. This will be difficult, in view
| OF the temper Of the people, who are
| incensed not only by the killing Of West
| enhaver. but by the death Of Witten-
mver. who was a respected citizen.
The Sheriff will appeal TO the Governor
! for sufficient troops 10 protect the Ielt-
| ners when they shall be taken into GUS
| tody.
HAD PREPARED FOR TROUBLE.
The Zeltners seem to have prepared for
the trouble as they had sold their farm
and bought a large quantity Of ammuni-
| ton only yesterday.
| TROOPS HELD IN READINESS.
| COLUMBUS, o., March Ex-Governor
| Bushnell was tonight apprised of the riot
| at louisville and at once ordered troops
! held In readiness for an emergency. The
| news came I'm the following dispatch 10
| the Adjutant-General:
| "Bloomdale. o. March &.-Just got tele-
| gram from Sheriff of Wood county TO re-
| mort at HOytsville at once with as many
| mon and as much ammunition as possible
| VIII leave here about ll:3o u. NJ. Zeltnei
| brothers shot and killed Lawyer weston
| hover and have barrcaded themselves In
| their house three miles from LOUISVILLE
| which is now surrounded by hundreds OF
| citizens. Of whom two or three have since
(signedI "E. S. BRYANT.
sTieutenant- Colonel Second Regiment"
The Governor at once placed himself II
communication with Colonel Bryant, ant
orders were sent TO Colonel Kuert. OF th'
| second REGIMENT at Kenton, TO be II
readiness TO proceed to Hoyts Corners.
orders were also sent to Captain James
| of Toledo. to hold the Toledo State Volun
teers in readiness.
| RATTLE WITH TROOPS.
March 2G.-3 A. M.-The Bloomdal
troops arrived at Hoytsville late tonight
and surrounded the Zeltners' house at 3
o'clock this morning. The militia opene'
fire on the house. and there has been
continual fire on both sides 1t is not we
known whether any one has been killed.