Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-12
REGULAR RAINY DAY AFFAIR
Mrs, Rain, Mr.. Day and Mrs. Rain-DGy in
State Of Terror.
FARMER TAKES ON SOME WAR SCENERY
Then Deputy sheriff Buckles on His
shooting Irons and starts out
TO Prevent an Expected
Exhibition.

Armed with a short-barreled arsenal and
a brace Of warrants from Justice Fosters
court, Deputy Sheriff Joseph Sherry started
to Briggs station yesterday to bring in
Nels Jargens, a Dane, whose occupation
heretofore has been farming, but who Is
said to have put in the last few days shoot
ing at targets in the timber, preparatory 20
some time sending Charles Day to the land
OF eternal night. The history Of the
trouble is a history OF a love affair, a rich
widow and a burned barn.
Jargens, who is about 30 years old, is
said to have fallen in love with Christiania
the 2O-year-old daughter Of Elizabeth Rain,
who has a farm near Florence and not
many more years to live. Charles Day, a
brakeman, 25 years old and living at the
station, recognized the charms Of Christian
at about the same time, and the girl found
herself suddenly possessed OF two suitors
who didn't suit each other at all. Eventu-
ally, she chose the one with the SUMMER
name and they were married, taking UP
their residence near the home place.
Significant Blaze in Barn.
Previously, Jargens made a contract with
Mrs. Rain to put up her hay on shares, but
after the daughter threw him over he dis
covered that the contract was not to his
liking and wished to throw it over. Mrs.
Rain demured and insisted that he fulfill
1t. He hauled in several loads, including
one on September 2. Immediately after he
had deposited this latter, and while still
only a short way from the barn, Mrs. Rain
heard the horses in the stable in great
commotion, and upon investigating the
cause found the hay in the barn afre in the
extremity OF the building farthest from the
house. Weak with her 80 years, she could
do nothing, and as she was alone. the
building and its contents burned. Jargens
is said to have driven rapidly away without
looking back and to have hurriedly passed
a nelghbor near the place without stopping
TO talk-which is considered a very unusual.
II not suspicious, proceeding in that vi
cinity.
Mrs. Rain told her daughter and son-in-
law and the three came into Omaha to see
Deputy County Attorney Abbott. He coun-
seled them to bring no action until certain
OF Jargens' guilt and to go back for more
evidence. 1t is said that Jargens heard of
the call and the plans and avowed that the
county of Douglas is too small to hold both
him and Day.
Looks Like War.
1t is further told that he came to Omaha
but to see a gunsmith, not a doctor of laws,
and that when he got back home he had
more war scenery on him than a Texas
ranger. Since then, the Rainy Day combi-
nation has been Informed by neighbors, he
has been occupied with some military man
euvers or his own, the eventuality Of which
Is to be another little Job for the undertaken
with Day riding horizontally in the front
hack. The latter doesn't want the honor
and is losing sleep over the prospect Of hav-
ing it thrust upon him, SO he came in We'd
nesday to tell Attorney Abbott OF the later
developments. Two complaints were inn
mediately filed. one to have Jargens put
under bond to keep the peace and the other
charging arson. with tho deputy sherin's
trip as the result.
Jargens was brought in late in the after
noon and released under bond.