Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-02-12
Frank Fennel, a Coachman in the EN-.
pIoy of Or. Adams, 5rutally Muir
ders the Hired Girl.
FENNEl COMMITS SUICIDE
The Murdered Girl Was Shot Five
Times and Was Dead When
Found by Mrs. Adams.

Great Falls, Feb. Frank Fennel.
a coachman, shot and instantly kill.
ed Annie Johnson about noon today.
and then reloaded his weapon and
planted bullet in his own brain. He
is dead. Both victims were employees
of DR.. f. ]. Adams, at whose residence
the tragedy took place. Fenncl. who
had been drunk recently and neglect
ing his work, blamed the girl because
his employers complained of his mat
tontion to his duties. They quarrel
ed last evening. Later Fennel went
IT, the theater and saw the Neill COM
pany In the play of Barbara Frie-
tchie." This morning he armed him
self with revolver and razor, called
the girl out on to the back porch.
fired five shots at her. four taking eff.
feet in her head and one striking her
left wrist Then cody walked TO a
chicken house nearby and planted a
bullet in his own brain. causing a IA
tai wound. So far as has been ascer.
tanned no enc saw the shooting.
Mrs. Adams. who was at home at
the time of the tragedy, said: Annie
Johnson had been employed as a do
nestle by us nearly a year. and was
the best girl | ever had. Fennel had
been employed as a man of all work
since October last. His chief duties
have been to care for horses and the
furnace. Recently he has been neg.
lecting his work, and naturally we
have complained. He became angry
at the girl, thinking she had told on
him. which was not true. Yesterday
he was not here all day and she had
to tend the fires. Last night they
quarreled In the kitchen. Later told
her not to say anything to him, but
when he was quarrefsome to ignore
him. She said. I am afraid of him
He gets so angry | fear he will harm
me-
About IL o'clock this morning a
man was here working on the piano
Miss Baker was with me in the front
part of the house. Four rooms away
Annie was preparing luncheon. Ear,
lier had noticed she was happy and
singing at her work. heard nc
sound of quarreling or loud words
but thought I heard a pistol shot.
spoke of 1t, and after a little while
started for the kitchen. When
reached that room I noticed Annie
was not there. called her name and
no reply came. Then I smelled pow
der smoke. called again, and then be
gan looking around. opened the
kitchen door, and there in the entry
blood streaming from the crue
wounds in her head, lay Annie, deaa.
| Mrs. Adams was SO overcome by tho
1
shock she was unable to continue he,
recital. Mrs. Adams gave the alarm
and the piano repairer summoned IN,
authorities. Chief of Police Cook, or
arriving and discovering the girl wa,
beyond human aid. began a-search fo
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