Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-12
EDITOR KILLS A MAN
Charles H, Harris Shoots Prominent
stockman Dead,
TROUBLE OVER A PUBLISHED ARTICLE
j. Fl, Blenkiron Of Atkinson Neb, is the
Unfortunate Victim.
SHOOTING OCCURS IN AN ALTERATION
Deadly Shot is Fired with an Ordinary Old
Horse Pistol.
HARRIS AT ONCE GIVES HIMSELF UP
HARRIS At ONCE GIVES HIMSELF UP
Coroner's Jury Investigates the Case
and Finds that the Deed Was
Done simply in Self
Defense.

BELDEN. Neb., Dec. 11.-(Special Tele.
grant, II Benkiron, a resident Of At
kinson, Neb.. and prominent stockman, was
shot and almost instantly killed last even
ing by Charles II. Harris, editor of the
Beden News. The trouble originated over
/ an article published in the News Saturday
and to which BlenlSiron took exception.
The men became involved in an alterca-
tlon about the matter in the News Office and
a fight ensued
The bullet entered Blenkiron's breast just
above the heart and he only lived few
minutes. Harris at once went to Harrington,
Neb., and gave himself up to the authorities.
He says he committed the deed in self-de-
tense.
Both men are very well known in this
section. Harris also runs a paper at Ran
dolph, Neb, and is considered to be a quiet,
peaceable man. Blenkiron owns large inter
ests around Belden and comes here fire.
quenty in connection with his business af-
fairs.
Another Version.
LAUREL, Neb.. Dec 11.-(Special Tee-
gram.)-Last night Editor Charles S. Harris
OF the Belden News shot and almost in
stantly killed J. Ii. Blenkiron o, Atkin-
soE, a stockman who has large ntereets
in this county and well known throughout
SdsltlU 4NtDldsh LIN lIOuDlu uIOSG over
thu article which Harris published in the
News relative to scme trouble which Blenl-
iron had few days previous with the Bel
den banr.
When the article came out in the News
Blenkirou became enraged and went to the
printing office and demanded that Harris
retrac: Thia thu editor refused to do.
Blenkiron Ia supposed to have started for
Harris, who told him to stand back or he
would shoot him. The assailant told Harris
to shoot.
Upon his coming still closer Harris said:
"DoI't you come step farther or I'll shoot
YOU"
Blenkiron said: Shoot am not afraid
o. your gun
Tommy, the 11-year- old son of W. +.
Sieland. merchant of Belden, was in
room back of the printing office and heard
thu fracas. II Ia supposed that Blenkron
! advanced toward Harris after utterng his
last sentence, because a pistol shot was
heard instantly and Blenkiron walked out on
the street about twenty feet and dropped
dead. Mrs. Chrie Larson and others saw
! the shot fired. They were across the street.
Harris went Immediately to a farmers
placi abou; mile distant from town, bor-
rowed a pony and rode to Harrington and
CAV, himself UP ia the authorities. Public
The funeral of the dead man will be held at
Randolph at p. m. tomorrow
Verdict of Coroner's Jury.
HARRINGTON, Neb., Dec. 1l.-(Special
Teegram.)-At the coroner's inquest held
this evening over the body of Hark Blenk-
iron, who was shot last night at Belden by
Editor Harris, it was found that the shoot
| ing was done in selfdefense.
The real trouble which led up to the
shooting occurred the middle of the week
when Blenkiron had trouble with the Belden
bank over overdraft and tried to close
up the institution. The editor wrote up
| the affair in his paper and to this Blenkiron
took offense and undertook to have it re-
| tracted.
There was no one present when the shoot
| ing took place but Harris and Blenkiron.
Harris was seen at the county Jail this
evening. While he was not disposed to
talk very much yet he seemed cheerful
and confident that the public, when ac
! quainted with the facts, would justify the
shooting on the grounds of self defense.
The sheriff has the revolver which was
used in the shooting. 1t was an od-fash
ioned horse pistol. The Blenklrons are
among the wealthiest families in this part
OF the state and will fight the case to the
bitter end. The preliminary hearing will
probably occur Friday before the county
iudpp