Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-14
OLD MANS TRAGIC DEATH
Attempts Double Murder, Burns His Prop
erty and Says He is Poisoned
WAS MARRIED ABOUT A MONTH AGO
James Evans Dies After "a Night OF
Intense Pain-TaIks Nationally 90
the Last and Friends Scout
suggestion of Insanity.

KEARNEY, Neb., Dec. 13.-(special Tel
egram. by the death Of James Evans at
5 O'Clock this morning on Kilgore's island,
where he resided, a strange story of a pc
culiar, IL not eccentric, old man comes to
a tragic end.
Evans was about so years Of age and had
been for a long period a prominent citizen
of Buffalo county. IN November 4, 1901,
he decided all OF his property to Abraham
Swinyer, a young man about S6 years OF
age. On the same day an agreement was
entered into between Evans, Swinyer and
the ~latter's wife whereby Mr.. and Mrs.
S~winyer, in consideration Of the property
which had been decided them, were to pro-
vide for the old man during his life, care
for him in sickness, etc. They we're not
to cucumber or sell any of the property
during Evans life and were to live in a
house on the land about 200 yards from the
one occupied by the other party to the con-
tract.
On November s, 1902, deceased was mar
ried to Lucinda j. Arbuckle.
Laet night about 10 o'clock, according to
the story told by Mr.. Swinyer, Evans sent
for him, stating that he was sick. Swinyer
went over and talked to the old gentle
man for a few minutes, when, without
warming, the latter grabbed a shotgun and
fred at both Mrs. Evans and Swinyer.
Neither shot, however, took effect, and the
intended victims fed to the other house,
where they got Mrs. Swinyer and the
children and hurried to the home of neigh
bors. Swinyer then came to town and in
formed the sheriff OF the matter, stating
that as they were leaving the place they
looked back and saw that some OF the
buildings were burning.
The old man was found in the small
house upon a bed, struggling with neigh
bors, who sought to quiet him. He was
besmeared with blood, and his face wa
distorted with pain. Among those pres
ent were w. H. and John Kilgore. who
were the first upon the scene after the
flight OF Swinyer and the other fugitives,
They found the large house, two barns, two
niles of corn, several stacks Of hay and
\ all the outhouses either in flames or al
ready consumed. The Kilgore boys sue
ceeded In overpowering Evans to a certain
extent, and asked him what he meant
by such actions. He replied that he was
sorry that he could not burn up the land
also. and that the reason he had not
burned the small house was because he
saw a light in there and supposed the chill
dren were sleeping there.
Asked what he intended to do when he
had finished his incendiary work, he replied
that he intended to lay down in a wagon
box which he pointed to and die.
The old mans hands and arms had beer
badly lacerated by wires and other objects
and there was a terrible cash in his righi
wrist. He told John Kilgore that he hac
been poisoned and that when he died he
wanted the doctors to cut him open. Until
his death this morning Evans compliance
of intense pains and cramps in his bowels
and the muscles in his legs and arms
twitched and contracted systematically
At times he would go into fits, so that Il
was necessary to use great strength Il
hold him, but while not in these spasmi
he talked as nationally as usual and those
who were with him and knew him wei
scout the idea that he was insane
DR.. Miller on his way to the island THU
morning was met by neighbors. who in
formed him that Evans had died. They
stated, however, that an inquest was de-
sired and Coroner Switz was also notified
TO this effect. He accordingly went TO the
scene of the tragedy this afternoon for th'
purpose Of empaneling a jury and making
a thorough inquiry iLto the matter.