The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-16
TRIPLE TRAGEDY
NEAR Elk RIVER
Farmer Shoots and Kills His Wife
and Neighbor, The
Himself.
JEALOUSY MOTIVE
IN DOUBLE MURDER
w. R. Brandt of Farm Community
Of otsego Takes Three
"a. IS Lives.

Special to The Journal
Elk River, Mimi, Jan. 16.-ln fit
Of jealous rage, William r. Brandt,
farmer living in the little village OF
and killed his wife and Justin Adams,
then, turning the weapon to his left
temple, shot himself thru the head.
That, the tragedy i was deliberately
planned there seems to be no doubt.
No persons witnessed, the shooting. The
investigation made by the coroner to.
day shows that some hours interviewed
between the two murders. At noon yes
terday Brandt 8 wife went to a neigh
boris to dinner. She returned to her
home at 1890 o'clock, and it is sup.
posed was shot down by her husband
a few minutes later. Brandt was seen
shortly before 1 clock, and four hours
later he had conversation with a man
named Hall. Brandt then sought JUS
house. Taking Adams around to the
rear of the farm, he is supposed to have
decoyed him into barn. There he
shot Adams in the right temple. The
body was found leaning over manager.
Kissed Baby Farewell.
Brandt next visited neighbor' Is
home, where his 4-year-old son, Mar
vim, was staying. Taking. the child in
his arms, he kissed him and told him
he would go and make the house warm
; and then take him home. Kissing. him
again, he returned to the scene OF the
murder of his wife. entering the kltch-
en-, attempted to set fire; to the place.
At the same time he shot hisef thru
the left temple and fell to the floor
dead.
His clothing was badly burned and
it is supposed that he fell across the
| burning mat on which he had poured
| kerosene oil and set on fire.
Trouble had been expected in the
Brandt home for some time and when
| Brandt and his wife were not seen
about the place today. the neighbors
became suspicious and began an an ih os
was broken open and the body Of Mrs.
Brandt was found on the floor in a pool
of blood. The bodies of the murderer
4 and Justin Adams were found as de-
Jealousy as motive.
:. II lousy was undoubtedly the mo-
tive Mrs. Brandt and Adams were said
to be greatly attached and frequent
quarrels had occurred between Brandt
and his wife on account of the visits
made by Adams. Last October Mrs.
Adams made preparations to, leave her
husband, the neighbors say, and at
tempted to dispose of the furniture.
Brandt checked the plans and later,
the woman declared again she would
go away. She tried to take the child
but her husband, who was greatly. at
tached to the boy, watched him close
! ly. It Is believed that the couple had
another violent quarrel just before the
woman was murdered and that while
she was away at the neighbours, he
made his plans to kill her and the man
to whom she is said to have admitted
she was attached.
The coroner is now at the scene Of
the triple tragedy making investiga-
tions among the neighbors. The affair
has created the greatest excitement in
the little village and in this town.
The child is being cared for by Lewis
Mcdonald, who lives near the Brandt
home. :. ."
Brandt and his wife came here from
Plymouth, Iowa, last april and leased
the farm at Otsego a few days after
| their arrival. -