Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-03-15

OF TRAGEDY
MAN DEFEATED IN LAWSUIT
KILLS THREE PERSONS AND
WOUNDS THREE MORE.

Denver March 14.-Mad with rage
because of his defeat in a lawsuit in
which the man he pronounced as his
bitterest enemy had been victorious.
and swearing vengeance against him.
self and his entire family, George
Schistler, a teamster, armed himself
with rifle today, and when the smoke
of battle had cleared away three per-
sons were dead, one missing, and
three others lay wounded, two at least
dangerously.
The dead are: X. Fill, Mrs. K.
Fill, George Schistler.
A child of the Fills is missing.
The wounded are: DR.. Frank Du-
lin, police surgeon; Capt. w. A. Bob
anna, acting chief of police, and Mike
Kelly.
The wife Of George Schistler is pros
trated over the affair, and may die
from the shock.
| Schistler had brooded over his
troubles with the Fill family, who
were immediate neighbors, and an
nounced today that he would even up
matters. Taking rifle of improved
pattern and buckling on belt of
smokeless cartridges he started for
the Fill home. Fill saw him approach
ing and heard his muttered threats.
II Il Sp,oh xyN
house but Schistler sent bullet into
his brain, with the accuracy of a
marksman, and Fill fell dead. Mrs.
Fill rushed to her husbands side and
received bullet from Schistler's ri
file fired with unerring aim. She, too,
fell dead alongside the lifeless body
OF her husband. Not content with
the fullness Of his vengeance, Schist-
Ter then set fire to the Fill home
which was destroyed, and it is thought
a son OF the Fills lost his life in the
tre. After satisfying himself the
flames would perform their mission,
Schlstler returned to ms own home
and barricaded himself inside. In the
meantime, other neighbors, attracted
by the sound of the firing, appeared
en- the scene but quickly retreated
when bullets began falling around
them. A telephone message was sent
to police headquarters. and an ambu-
lance with Police Surgeon Dulin, Cap
tain Bohanna and three officers hur-
ried to the scene.
The officers were directed to the
Fill home by neighbors who had wit
heSsed the killing. and they started
| Nnh QSit9 Tin DIV in tho II rs
touse. In doing SO they were COM
PEELED to come within range of Schist.
ler's rifle. A volley of bullets rained
around them suddenly, and Dulin and
johanna fell to the floor of the am
bulance.
The driver stopped his horses, but
another shot from the house drop
Led one of the animals to the ground.
With the assistance of spectators the
wounded men were taken from the
ambulance and conveyed to a hospit-
al. where their wounds were dressed.
Dulin was shot three times, once in
each leg and another time in the
left thigh. His condition is critical.
johanna received bullet in the leg,
but is not dangerously hurt
. A call for reinforcements brought
all the available men from police head.
quarters and the sheriff's office, and
a consultation was held for the pur-
pose of formulating plan to capture
the mailman. Firing Squads were sta
toned in nearby houses and a larger
force was placed in portable fort
made of baled hay, piled upon a hay
wagon. During the preliminary ar
rangements Schistler kept up a con.
tinued fire in all directions which was
returned, and hundreds of shots were
exchanged. 1t was during this shoot.
ing that Kelly received his wound.
Il Finally fewer shots were heard to
explode in the direction of the Schist.
Ter house, and the hay wagon fort was
started toward the house, proceeding
cautiously and without firing. The
attacking force expected a fusilade
any minute, and when they reached
the front gate without shot being
fired one of the officers stepped out
into view, thinking to draw the fire
of Schistler if he were still alive.
He was agreeably disappointed. and
with a rush the officers charged the
house and battered down the door.
Not sound came from inside, and
entering, they found Schistler lying
upon bed bleeding from several
wounds and breathing his last. He
died soon afterward. 1t is not known
: whether he was hit by the bullets from
the weapons of the pursuing party or
committed suicide. Mrs. Schistler
was away from home when her hus.
.: band started on his vengeful mission
and when told of the affair fell pros.
tate. 1t is thought she will die from
the shock. During the several hours
battle with the murderer. hundreds OF
PEOPLE were attracted to the scene.
u though it is located in an outlying sub