Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-12-11
tFrom Wednesdays paily.l

TFrom Wednesdays Daily.l
Chased from the house of neigh
Dor by Frank Williams, who claims
that an insult had been offered to his
wife and his own life threatened dur
ing a passage of hot words and pro-
family between the two men, Will Sla-
ter, an aged miner at Keb,
fell prostrate in the snow, where after
a few minutes he died from the eff
fects of two deep knife wounds in his
chest near the throat. The fatal quar-
rel is said to have occurred in the
rear of George Thomas home about
4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, about
the time the workmen began to come
from the mine. The heated converse
ton between the two men did
not attract much attention, as likely
to be serious until after Slater had
fallen from the effects of the wounds,
nor did any OF the returning workmen
go to the scene OF the trouble. Williams
and Slater have been working in the
mine as sbuddies" for several years.
Yesterday however, it is stated that
neither of the men were at work. Both
men are supposed to have been drink
ing, though Slater it is said was more
intoxicated at the time of the quarrel.
Both men are colored.
Williams went to his home after the
quarrel and later in the evening went
to the residence of Justice Alfred Stan
nier, about half mile west of Keb,
and gave himself up and was brought
to this city about 8 o'clock last night
by Sheriff Harry Cremer and Chief of
Police John Gray, and lodged in the
county jail
The remains of Slater were taken to
his room in the north part of town
and last night removed to this city
where an inquest was held this morn
ing.
Did Not Think it Serious.
News of the affair spread rapidly
last evening, and though all the resi-
dents of the village soon knew of the
accident, few could be found who had
witnessed the quarrel or even knew
what had been its origin, as it was
known to the miners that the two men
had for several years been good
friends. Those who did see the two
men emerge from the house and heard
the loud conversation that passed be
tween them state that they though
men appear to be in fight nor die
they realize until they saw Slater fal
that there had been any serious
trouble between the two.
Had Been Drinking.
According to the general belief OF
the people of Keb the trouble orig
mated over Williams wife 1t is stat
ed that the two men had not been al
work during the day and had been
drinking together, Slater having be
come somewhat more intoxicated thar
the other man. For short time pre-
vious to the fatal quarrel Williams hat
been at the home of John Berry
where Slater had been taking his
meals for some time. Slater had gone
to the home of George Thomas, where
+ he had spent considerable time will
Mrs. Williams.
1t is claimed that Slater had beer
quite profane and had announced his
evil intentions when the woman, es
Gaping from the house, hastened across
the street and informed her husband
OF the occurrence.
The Quarrel.
In few minutes some of the return
ing workmen saw the two come from
the home of John Berry and go to tha
OF George Thomas, where Slater hat
remained. Upon entering the hous,
Williams claims that Slater in lout
and profane language announced hi
intentions and threatened his (Wi
liamso life if he attempted Il
interfere. After the first pas
sage of words it is stated tha
a little boy who happened to be in th
house opened the back door an
through it Slater made his escape int
the back yard, followed closely b.
Williams and the latters wife.
Heard Loud Words.
One of the miners who resides Jus
south OF deep rayine back of Thon
as stated last night that he had jus
reached home at the time the thre
came rushing cut of the house an
that his attention was attracted b
the loud words. He states that h
saw the two men swinging their arm
about, gesticulating wildly, but tina
they did not seem to be in a fight a
1t appeared that they We're too fa
apart. During this time, however, b
states that he heard the woman pleat
ing with one of the men, apparent
her husband, mot to do it," but coul
make out nothing more owing to h
distance from the scene.
Saw Slater Fall.
He also states that he saw the tw
men part and that Slater after wal
ing about twenty-five feet, fell forwar
in the snow, but that even then he di
not know that there had been kni1
used.
wiIIia,,c, CSonN
Frank Williams, who is confined
the county Jail in this city, when sec
4 by Courier representative, had Ii
tie to say, but as to the, cause of Il
quarrel told the following story: i