The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1905-07-20
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY
Murder and Suicide Creates Great Excitement in This Peaceful
Cify...Oufcome of Jealousy and UnfathfuIness

III the ultcu uedu, anu TIE uldu Oh the
ground nearby just breathing. The
revolver was near the man but fearing
that he might revive and use the
weapon she pushed it to one side.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dancer then drove to
town and notified Sheriff Campbell,
who hurried out, closely followed by
Coroner Tenant and Marshal Gull
lick. At this time no one knew who
the parties were, but Albert Erstad,
who had been anxious because Wood
bury had not returned with his horse,
surmised who it was and went out and
brought in the horse, which showed
evidence of hard drive. -
A few moments after six O'Clock the
officers returned with the bodies and
they were placed in Vests undertak-
ing rooms. The inquest was held
Saturday evening and resulted in
finding that Woodbury. first killed
Mrs. Dokken and then shot himself.
ACTED WITH DIFFERENTIATION
From all the circumstances sur
rounding the case it is evident that
Woodbury. was determined to kill Mrs.
Dokken and himself as we'll. The
theory is that they had been quarrel
ing and when he drew the revolver to
shoot, the woman threw up her right
right hand and received shot through
her wrist. She then started to Jump
from the buggy and another shot was
fired striking her in the right thigh.
Following close after this another shot
was received in her back going in at
the left and passing through her body
came out on the right side. She then
fell and Woodbury. jumped out of the
buggy. In order to make sure that
the deed was complete he placed the
revolver close to the back OF her head
and planted bullet in her brain. He
then deliberately reloaded the revolver,
held his shirt bosom open with one
hand and fired a shot at himself which
struck the lower point of his heart,
causing almost immediate death.
THE SUPPOSED CAUSE
AS has been stated Mrs. Dokken
had encouraged Woodbury. to believe
that she would marry him and he had
become so infatuated with her that his
mind was somewhat deranged. 1t
was quite evident that the unfortunate
woman was not in her right mind
either, as she was hesitating between
two conclusions, whether to leave
Dokken or not. Woodbury. crazed
with jealousy, and perhaps realizing
that he was not going to meet with
success in securing Mrs. Dokken,
concluded to end both their lives,
which he did successfully.
Mr.. Dokken arrived home from Tor
onto at five O'Clock Saturday evening
hoping to meet his wife, have an un-
derstanding with Woodbury. and to be
happy once more. 1t perhaps is for
tunate for him that he did not meet
Woodbury. as in all probability the
young man would have shot the hus-
band as we'll as the wife, in fact, it is
said such threat had been previously
made.
No word OF censure is heard against
Mr.. Dokken who has always tried to
make his wife happy and last fall
built nice cottage in this city and
purchased furniture to make the home
pleasant. The husband is a hard
working and peaceful citizen, one
with whom it is easy to get along with
and he has the sympathy of the COM
munity.
The unfortunate woman has a
mother and sister living at Watertown.
Her maiden name was Ella Miller and
she had been previously married be-
fore she met Mr.. Dokken.
The misguided young man has re-
sided with his widowed mother in this
city for some time, and worked on Ed
Davis dray line for several months.
He has a sister living at Flandreau
who is quite wealthy and who at once
came to Brookings so console the
mother and on Monday took the re-
mains there for burial.
Mr.. Dokken took charge OF his wife's
remains and the funeral was held
Monday afternoon at the home OF
A. j. Dokken, services being con-
Quoted by Rev. w. M. Jennings.