The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-26
DEFIED THE SHERIFF
TWO BROTHERS KILL AN ATvFOR
NEY AND REFUSE TO SUR
RENDER
STATE TROOPS ARE CALLED OUT
Murderers Barricade Their Home
and Shoot Down Those Who APP
prOach-SherifrsP Posse Unable to-
Effect Their Arrest-CaIls Upon
the Governor for Assistance-
Precautions Against Lynching.

the Governor for Assistance-
Precautions Against Lynching.
E. Westenhaver. Of North Baltimore, one
Of the best known attorneys in this coun-
ty, was murdered at Hoytsville today. He
was trying a case against Paul and John
Seltner, for attorneys fees, and when
court adjourned the brothers demanded
certain papers, which he refused to sur
render John Seltner fired at the attor-
ney, who ran out of doors, the ball strik-
ing Westenhaver in the right side. Four
more shots were fired at him, but they
did not take effect, At the corner of the
building Paul Seltner met him and fired
two shots at the attorney, one striking
the leg and the other going into his fore
head. Death resulted in a few minutes.
The Seltners mounted their horses and
rode out of town, loading their guns as
as they went. A posse was quickly form
ed, but the brothers have not been cap
tured.
The Bloomdale troops arrived at Hoyts-
Vile late tonight, and surrounded the
Zeltner house. At 1870 o'clock the militia
opened fire on the house. and there has
been continual fire on both sides. 1t is
not yet known whether any one has been
killed.
COLUMBUS, O., March 25.-A special
from Hoyt's Corner says:
After the murder the Seltners fled to
their home, pursued by a crowd Of sew
eral hundred men. The Seltners stood
boldly in their yard all the forenoon and
defied arrest. There was a frequent ex-
change of shots between the fugitives and
the crowd. at long range. and man
named Wittenmeyer, who crossed an
open space, was shot through the heart
and instantly killed.
Sheriff Kingsbury and posse Of depu--
ties were soon on the scene, but the fusil
lade of shots kept up by the Seltners pre-
vented any effort being made to capture
them.
Deputy Sheriff Roash, who took refuge
behind tree in the woods, was made a
special target, and three bullets grazed
the tree behind which he stood. Later in
the day the Seltners retired within the
house and barricaded It, A hundred
shots were fired into the house. without
effect The sheriff then decided to call
for the Bloomdale rifles, and in the mean
time a guard was stationed around the
house. Mrs. Seltner and her three chill
dren took refuge in the cellar. This even
ing a neighbor of the Seltners went into
the house under a flag Of truce and tried
to induce them to surrender but they de-
clined to do so before morning, fearing
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 Witten-
meyer, who was respected citizen. The
sheriff will appeal to the governor for
sufficient troops to protect the SeltnerS
when they are in custody.
The Seltners seem to have prepared for
the trouble, as they had sold their farm
and bought a large quantity Of ammuni-
ton only yesterday"
Gov. Bushnell was tonight apprised of
the riot at Hoyt's Corners, and at once
ordered troops held in readiness for an
emergency. The news came in the follow
ing dispatch to the adjutant general:
BLOOMDALE, O., March 25-Just got
telegram from sheriff of Wood county to
come to Hoyt's Corner with as many men
and as much ammunition as possible VIII
leave here about II: 80 D. m Seltners
brothers shot and killed Lawyer Westin-
haven and have barricaded themselves in
ner,- which is now surrounded by hun
dreds of citizens, of whom two or three
have since been shot.
Lieutenant Colonel Second Regiment.
The governor at once placed himself in
communication with Col. Bryant, and or
ders were sent to Col. Kuert, of the Sec
ond regiment, at Kenton, to be in readi-
ness to proceed to Hoyt's Corner Orders
were also sent to Capt. James, Of Toledo,
to hold the Toledo state volunteers in
readiness.
Hoyt's Corner is small town on the
3. & o. railroad, in the western part of
Wood county, and near the southern
boundary line.