Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-04-25
TRAGEDY ON A FARM
IN PLYMOUTH COUNTY
John lessen Slain While Engaged
in a Fight With Three
Others.
NE is SHOT THROUGH The HEART
uenry stefrcn who Killed the Farmer
Was Aided by william Beaver and
Peter Pctcrson-Tho Three
Arc In Jail.

LeNlars. la. April 2S.-The Rowe
farm. eight miles east of this city. was
the scene of a fatal ARRAY Sunday aft
ernoon about 3 O'Clock. AS a result
John Jessen lies dead with Il ballet
through his heart and three men arc
in the Plymouth county Jail awaiting
developments.
The first intimation that crime had
been committed was when Henry Stef.
fen, well known young farmer. drove
into town about 5 O'Clock and inquired
for the coroner and the sheriff. To the
former he said:
man at my place 1t was in self de-
fensc."
Stcffen told his story to the coroner
and later to the sheriff, who, after
placing steffen in Jail. proceeded to-
gether to the scene of the tragedy.
John lessen met instant death prob
ably at the hands of Steffen. although
his hired man. Beaver, had some hand
in the affair.
Two Others Arrested.
Beaver and Peter Peterson were
brought into town late in the evening
and lodged In jail. The three prisoners
We're put in separate cells. 1t seems
from the statements made by them
that the murdered man was q hard
drinker and of a quarrelsome DISPOSE
ton. Henry Steffen is a young man
about 20 years of age and a single man
who rents the Rowe farm in Washing
ton township. For the past two years
Mr.. and Mrs lessen have made their
home there. the woman keeping house
for Mr.. Steffen. lessen was carpen.
n ,\
his trade. coming home at nights when
convenient and on Saturdays and Sum
days.
On Sunday morning last Steffen and
Beaver. who slept upstairs in the
house. heard the lessons quarreling IN
their room downstairs.
The men got up and took the wo-
mans part and hard words passed on
both sides. Later lessen hitched up a
horse and came to LeMars where he
spent several hours He returned
home about 2 o'clock in the afternoon
and on putting his horse away went UP
to the house and began quarreline
again with young Beaver. asking him
what business he had trying to drive
him out of the house and away from
his family. Peter Peterson son Of
neighboring farmer, was present to-
gether with Steffen. The talk became
heated and lessen Is reported to have
said
I'll make an end of this" at the
same time starting for his rooms The
prisoners claim they We're frightened
and rushed out of the house. thinking
Jessen was going after n weapon OF
some kind. Beaver stated that Steffen
told him to get a shotgun and shoot
lessen Beaver ran to an out building
h few rods east Of the house used in
summer as a kitchen and grabbed a
double barreled shotgun and dlscharg-
ed 1t at Jessen as the latter was coming
out of the kitchen door Of the house.
Shots Wore Inefeetivc.
Beaver failed to hit his man. who
Immediately closed in on him and |
wrested the weapon out of his hands |
Young Beaver ducked under Jessen's
srm and fed for shelter into the sum-
mer kitchen. In the meantime lessen
leveled the gun at Steffen who ran
around the corner of the house. The |
gun missed fire and lessen turning II
end for end. grabbed the barrels and
using the gun as a club tried to strike |
Steffen missing him, hitting the ground
breaking off the gun stock. He pursued
Steffen with the barrels in his hands
Steffen yelled to the others to bring
him the other gun. Peterson handed
him single barrel shotgun and Beav-
en- gave him cartridge he had in his
pocket. steffen while running inserted
and wheeling round discharged the
weapon at Jessen who was still in pur-
suit. lessen fell over instantly, the
shot going through his heart. Stehfen
then came to town and gave himself
up to the authorities.
Leaves Family.
The dead man formerly lived at Rem.
sen, where he was engaged in the saloon
business. He was native of Switzerland |
hut ho ha5 IL,
several years. He was about 40 years OF
age and leaves a wife and five children
the eldest a girl of about ii and the
youngest babe only few months old
1t liz stated that he spent all his earn
inss in liquor and habitually abused his |
wife and children and was Jealous of her |
and accused her of unfaithfulness. Stefren |
has always been regarded as steady |
industrious young farmer. Peterson and |
Will Beaver are both quite young men
the latter not being more than 20 years
of age. Beaver stated that he had worked |
for Steffen since November last and that |
Jensen and his wife had continual quar-.
rels since that time
Steffens mother resides on a farm mean |
by with another son. She is FRUSTRATED
by the tragedy. His other relatives live |
In this city.
N''stSi "''s' .itst7sA ny ms attorney, II |
Nj. Roseberry, for whom he sent after
being arrested, not to talk. Beaver re.
lated the incidents of the day In a
straightforward and truthful manner |
None of the young men appeared las,
night to realize the enormity of the |
crime and Its possible consequences
stefIen told the coroner that he was |
scared of his life and was sure that Jes.
SEP would have done for him if he had
not shot him.