The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-01-18
"A TRIPLE TRAGEDY.

| S~oO W SA~N NAooA ASo NO4AS W lUS
apportionment. -Clapp, July 26, 1889.
"A TRIPLE TRAGEDY.
Farmer Shoots His Wife and Neighbour
! then Commits Suicide.
In fit of jealous rage, says press
dispatch, William r. Brandt, a
farmer living in the little village OF
Otsego, three miles west of Elk River,
shot and killed his wife and Justin
Adams, then, turning the weapon to
his left temple, shot himself through
the head.
That the tragedy was deliberately
planned there seems to be no doubt.
No persons witnessed the shooting.
The investigation made by the coroner
Tuesday shows that some hours inter.
vened between the two murders. AT
noon Monday Brandt's wife went to a
neighbours to dinner. She returned to
her home at 1890 O'Clock, and it is
supposed was shot down by her hus-
band a few minutes later. Brandt
was seen shortly before 1 O o'clock, and
four hours later he had conversa-
ton with man named Hall. Brandt
then sought Justin Adams, who lived
in a neighbours house. Taking
Adams around to the rear of the
house, he is supposed to have decoyed
him into a barn. There he shot
Adams in the right temple. The body
was found leaning over manger.
Brandt next visited neighbours
home, where his four-year-old son,
Marvin, was staying. Taking the
lchild 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, and,
entering the kitchen, attempted to set
fire to the place. At the same time he
shot himself through 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 it 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 Tuesday the neigh
bors became suspicious and began an
investigation. The front door of the
home was broken open and the body
of Mrs. Brandt was found on the floor
in a pool Of blood. The bodies OF
the murderer and Justin Adams were
found as described. .efz
Jealousy was undoubtedly the mo-
tive. Mrs. Brandt and Adams we're
said to be greatly attached and fire.
quent quarrels had occurred between
Brandt and his wife on account of the
visits made by Adams. Last October
Mrs. Brandt made preparations to
leave her husband, the neighbors
say, and attempted 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 attached to the boy, watched
him closely. 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.
Brandt and his wife came here from
Plymouth, Iowa, last April and leased
the farm at Otsego a few days after
their arrival.
AT THE NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL.
Louis Payette of Greenbush was
brought to the hospital on Wednesday
suffering from a severe attack OF
pneumonia.
Mrs. James Edgar of Mora died
from the effects Of cancer of the
stomach on Wednesday noon,
Mrs. George McComb OF Mora UNI
derwent critical surgical operation
!.