Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1900-06-28
SHOT In HIS
OWN HOME
Joseph Mu6RCh the Victim of
a DdStdrdIg Assault.

A rather sensational shooting affair
was enacted on the Muench farm three
miles southwest OF Lancaster Monday
morning at about o'clock. The vic
tim is Joseph Muench. lad twenty
/ one years old, and by whom the bov
was assaulted is as vet mystery to
the officers who have been al work on
the case.
1t was first rumored in the city
early Monday morning that a murder
had been committed in cold blood;
that young Muench had been called
from the house and cruelty shot to
pieces. All manner of excitement
this produced, but later reports failed
20 verify the sensational rumor and
investigation threw light on the affair
to be of much less consequence.
A Herald representative visited the
scene of the supposed conflict early in
the day. The Muench homestead is
situated a short distance to the left of
the main thoroughfare taken in going
mon two-story frame house with the
usual number of log barns, sheds and
outbuildings. Henry Belscamper is
the nearest neighbor, residing on the
ridge above on the main road. Mrs.
Muench is grass widow, having Sc
cured a divorce sometime since from
her husband who was rather dissolute
and hard drinker. He is now in
Iowa. With Mrs. Muench live the
children four or five in number. rang
ing in age from Joseph the Oldest
now at home, to a little tad OF about
eight summers. The particulars con-
corning the affair were related to us
at length and we will give briefly
herewith the facts in the case as near
~ in conformity with existing cir
cumstances aS possible:
Joseph Muench occupied sleeping
apartments in the upper portion Of
the abode. Monday morning ut about
1 a. m. he was awakened and rather
startled by the lusty barking OF the
family dog at the rear of the house.
This was also followed by stealthv
movements he did not understand and
he forthwith arose, partially dressed,
and proceeded down stairs to investi-
gate. He passed through the house
to the rear door and opened it, As he
did so two pair Of hands grasped his
arms very unceremoniously and
dragged him from the room. His as
Sailants were two in number and their
identity was concealed behind hand
kerchiefs or masks tied securely about
their faces. He struggled to rain
freedom and managed to grab hold of
a chair that stood conveniently by
with which he proceeded to defend
himself. The blows inflicted were OF
such consequence that one OF the
marauders became weary Of The COM
bat and left him, stepping a few PAGES
away The other fellow struggled to
secure possession Of the chair with
which young Maench was pummel-
inc them 50 effectively but was
foiicd ~ ht- attempt, to accomplish
th, design The larger OF the two
a,.ailani- hondrewa revolver from
his pocket lereied il - Mueaeh tad
tUicc pulledihe trigger the weapon
however moi being discharged \
thlrd etlu-t was more successful ami
i shot ran9 out on the morning air.
The barred was aimed SguarcIy Il the
victims breast But blow from the
chair striking ne would-bc murderer
simultaneously On the arm altered
the program and the deadly bullet
took Il downward course striking
Muench in the calf OF the leg, passing
completely through il.
Muench had ali this while been call
ing loudly for help and the members Of
the family within were thoroughly
aroused. The pistol shot increased
their alarm and while they knew a.
sistance should be given to the son
and brother their exceeding fright
overcame them After firing the shot
the evil doors darted away up through
an orchard 1T the right and oven an
adjacent hill, Muench following them
for short distance a. fast a. his
wounded limb would allow. all the
while calling for hi brother to come
and bring the gun. Exhausted from
loss Of blood he finally had to give upI
tba nDeauaI contest and Shnk f0 the
ground in a faint. In the meantime
the mother. brothers and sisters an
ally mustered up courage enough to
leave the house and went to his aid
Revived by water, the victim related
the story Of the attack and an alarm
was hurriedly given. The young
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