Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-01-18
MURDERED IOWA MAN
William Dippe, Supposed to be From
Jones County, Killed in AIaska-The
Murder Was Result of Disagree
mont Over Business Affairs.

Seattle, Wash. Jan. II. AS an
nounced a few days ago by the Assoc
ciated Press, William Deppe, an Iowa
man, was killed in southeastern Alas
ka BY Robert Ball, January g. He was
a bachelor and left no relatives In this
part of the country. 1t is desired to
get into communication with his peo-
pie in Iowa.
In 1903 Robert Ball came to Seat
tie and advertised himself as north
western manager OF the Eastern Cap
italiats' Syndicate. He claimed to hail
from San Francisco, but that is mat
ter of doubt. He had been a lawyer
In New York and Michigan. He be-
came acquainted with William Deppe,
Their president Of the North Star Min
ing Company, organized to exploit gold
claims of Deppe in Alaska. Ball a
greed to finance the enterprise but
failed. He became acquainted with r.
l.. Fox, marble locator. Fox owned
abolt 200 acres OF Alaska marble land
of great value. Ball arranged to fl
nance a company to handle it and in
duced Fox and Deppe to give him full
con rol Of everything. Deppe adj
vanced money to take party. includ
ing Ball to Alaska to locate the rest
Of the marble in the vicinity of the Fox
claims. These were located in the
names Of Deppe and seven others and
then transferred to the Great Ameri-
can Marble Company, making that
company the holder of 1900 acres of
the most promising marble land in this
country. This company had capt.
tai Of $70,0O0.000. Deppe held a sub
stantial interest. Last summer the
men found Ball had deceived them.
Deppe demanded the money advanced,
anG fight ensued. Ball was worsted.
Deppe said Ball tried to use knife,
whereupon he Deppe) struck Ball with
stapling machine. Deppe was ares
ted and trial resulted in conviction of
assault. Appeal was taken and the
sarle verdict rendered; but the trial
Judge granted new trial. This was
pending at the time Of his killing.
Suit Was Started.
In August, 1904, Willett & .Willett of
this city started suit for Fox to re-
scild the contract by which Ball had
secured the marble lands. Deppe
took an active interest, and before
October had secured control and Ball
was removed as president Of the mar
BILE company.
The title is location titles" and 1t
was necessary to have done certain
work by New Years. Ball seemed to
think his removed from office not legal,
so he went to Alaska to hold possession
and keep his position. The manage
.ment sent Deppe and four others to
the property on Fox Island, thirty
mi es from Shakan, Alaska to do the
assessment work. Deppe and his par
| ty, New Years day, were ordered off
the island by Ball, but declined to go,
ana occupied cabin Ball was not US
ints Next morning Ball sent Deppe
notice to leave. Deppe realized then
that Ball was in possession for the
| co rpany, so went to talk with Ball.
AS he stepped inside the cabin Ball
shot Deppe AS Ball fired he said.
"God d-n you, Deppe, get out Of
here"
| lOeppe was dead in five minutes
without saying a word.
The four survivors and the foreman
took the rowboats and started for
Wrangel with the body, leaving Ball
and Maxwell on the island, with no
means of getting away. The men were
three days at sea in open boats with
the body, in snow storm. On reach
ing Wrangel, the body was buried.
Among the effects were some letters in
Germon, which are now with the coro-
ner.
Some time ago Ball made threats to
kill Deppe, and Deppe procured war
rant for Balls arrest. The prosecuting
attorney thought it was pique and in
structed the magistrate to dismiss the
action, which was refused. This is now
in the courts. After the shooting
Maxwell said he knew this was going
to happen and should have told Deppe
Iowa papers are asked to copy and
say that any communication from
Deppes friends or relatives addressed
to Willett & Willett at 1919 Wash
ington building, Seattle, will have at
tention. Deppe said he was from Jones
county, Iowa.
BOY BANDIT PAROLED.