The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-05-27
VAN BUsk|RK' S SLAYER
FACES JURY AT FORMAN.
J. B. Hazlett, a Wealthy North Da-
kotan, Charged With a
Killing at Geneseo. ~ .
Special to The journal.

Special to The Journal, Ill.
Forman, N. D., May 26.-Oficers of
the district court have been engaged a
large part Of the week in drawing a
jury for the trial Of J. B. Hazlett for
the fatal shooting at Geneseo, N. D.,
on March 20, 1906, Of L. M. Van Bus
kirk, q. carpenter. The trial promises
to be one of the most sensational ever
known in North Dakota.
The shooting Of Van Buskirk is sup
posed to have been the elimination Of
a long-standing feud between the two
ton. Hazlett as a large real estate
owner and the possessor Of the TOWNSHIP
of Veda, between Geneseo and Alicia.
The charge pending against him is man
slaughter. Van Buskirk was about 40
at the time Of his death. "-
Eye Witnesses to Shooting.
The story Of the murder was told by
Fred Forman, an eye witness, at the
coroner s inquest, and was substantial
~ as follows: He and Van Buskirk
were in the formers place Of business
when Hazlett entered by the rear door,
weather. Seeing Van Buskirk was in
the room, Hazlett stepped back for a
second as he was about to enter, and
then returned with shotgun.
- Sc spoke to Van Buskirk and told
him to get out. The latter made no
motion to comply with his request I'M
til advised to do 50 by Forman, who
feared trouble. Van Buskirk then arose,
buttoned his coat, tied scarf about
his neck, put on heavy pair Of nit
tens and, started to leave. AS he was
about to. pass Hazlett, the latter pushed
him back with the muzzIe OF the gun.
More words then followed, and Van
buskirk arain started 4, to 20, saying
he would get a warrant for Hazlett g
arreft. *,eEs.- s-~,=s $3.50 T. "ar 80 ,,
At Close Range with Shotgun.
When within about foot and half
from Hazlett, the latter raised the shot
gun and fred a load Of buckshot into
Van Buskirk's left side. The charge
cut rib in two and lodged in the mus.
c1es Of the back. Van Buskirk died in
stantly. - 81. L.
:iHazlett and Foaman soon came to
Forman, where they were both placed
under arrest. Both asserted that Van
Buskirk had shot himself. When a
eoroner's jury was empaneled, how
ever, Foaman was put in the sweatbox
and eventually admitted that Hazlett
did the shooting, telling substantially
the story related above. He swore that
Hazlett had promised to pay him W well
If he would help him to get clear: They
had agreed to say that Van Buskirl
shot himself 80 t.. ..sr' -. g.. . -
- Van Buskirk Armed.
The coroner's inquest brought out
the fact that while Van Buskirk had or
his person a 32-caliber revolver, with
six shells in the cylinder, every shell
was loaded. When found he had on
tightly about his neck, bearing out the
testimony Of Foaman that he was in the
act Of leaving when the shooting oc
Hazlett was held on complaint
sworn out by Coroner Saylor. His at
torneys are former Judge Lauder and
s. A. Sweetman. States Attorney
Bowen Of this county and Charles E.
Wolf, states attorney Of Richland
county, are prosecuting. 49,. .s-,...=
The Motives. ..s.
The state will attempt to prove three
motives for the crime. First, HaElet1
was guilty Of sodomy. Van Buskirl
him. Second, Hazlett had made pro
positions to Van Buskirk's wife anc
wanted him out Of the way. Third
| Geneseo is on the south side Of the
Great Northern track and Veda on TIT
north side. Hazlett owned Veda ane
Van Buskirk had worked for Geneseo
Hazlett had threatened to kill him TO-
that.
Sheriff W. T. Jackman was the frs
| witness. He swore to Hazlett's arres
and the. gun, revolver and knife wer'
one empty shell, and one shell wa
loaded with buckshot and fine sho
mixed.
Mrs. Van Buskirk was present witt
her babe, weeks old, born since tn
Deputy sheriffs Chisney and South
worth corroborated the sheriff, and thel
County Surveyor Haigh was called an
presented diagrams Of the townsite
and Of the buildings.
Coroner Testihes.
Coroner II. L. Saylor was called an,
told Of the inquest. Van Buskirk ha.
on duck coat buttoned, leather NIT
i tens on his hands and one hand on hi
breast. A six-shooter revolver wa
found in his hip pocket, the chamber
all full and the shells all loaded. TIL
clothes found on the body were intro
duced, and Mrs. Van Buskirk becam
i hytserical and had to be taken frol
/ the courtroom. Hazlett was unmoved
Hazlett is 81 years old, and has
/ wife and daughter IL years old and
stepdaughter Of Is. The coroner pre-
/ duced the shot taken from the body.
1 The defense Is laying the ground
/ work for claim Of self-defense.