Omaha daily bee., 1907-09-09
Try AT LIBERTY ONE DAY
Fact Which Forms Chief Ground Of
the Application.
ITEM IN PAPER CAUSES TRAGEDY
Editor Criticisea Brather-in-Law Of
Brundige and Latter FoNIows Him
to Editorial Rooms, where
lie IL shot.

LOGAN. Ia, Sept. s.--(speci1 l0,-A. II.
snin, editor of the Harrison County Daily
News Of Missouri Valley. is convicted OF
manslaughter for the fatal shooting OF Mort
s Brundige at Missouri Valley, March 5,
The verdict was returned at O'Clock this
morning by the jury in Judge Green's odert
before which the trial was held in Logan.
The trial had lasted one week Lew T.
Genung made the closing argument for the
state. Counsel for the defense filed a mo-
tion for a new trial
From the time of the tragedy until the re-
turn Of the verdict this case has attracted
the keencst and widest interest Every
stage of the trial has been followed with
zeal and the outcome is but tho elimination
of a period of intense excitement. Friends
of the editor are shocked at the thought OF
his conviction on charge so grave.
According to the story at the time of the
shooting and the testimony at the trial,
the trouble started between Brundige and
Sniff over certain comments made in SniTs
paper upon the conduct OF one Foutz. a
brother-ln-law of Brundige, at a dance.
Foutz, 1t seems, figured in an unpleasant
ARRAY at the dance, which was held in Mis-
souri, Valley. When Brundige read the
criticism of FoutI he Is said to have de-
clared his intention of doing things" to the
editor. He went to the editors office. but
Sniff was not in, having heard OF the
threats made by Brundige He was trying
to avoid the angry man until the matter
should blow over, so It was said But finally
the two men met on the street Brundige
is said to have assumed a menacing attl-
tude and sniff walked away from him in
the direction of the newspaper office, with
Brundlge following.
BrundiEe Braves the Warning.
Snih says he hoped to reach his office
and avoid trouble. But when he got to
the foot OF the stairs eadlns up to his
editorial rooms he turned, only to find
Brundige Immediately behind him. Ad-
vanclng a few steps up the stairway, the
editor drew his pistol and warned Brun-
dige not to come any further" Tho
! warning was in vain, Brundige did not
heed It; the editor fred when his foe ad-
vanced. The bullet took effect I'm the
right side of the neck, through which II
passed Brundige fell and was cared for
by friends. The bullet was extracted from
the opposite side Of the neck. 1t did not
cause instant death. Brundige lived two
! days.
sniff went at once to Logan. the county
seat. and surrendered himself to the
| sheriff.
Witnesses testified that when sniff
/ turned at the steps and warned Brundige
not to follow him further Brundige reached
! for his pocket in which he was carrying
a copy of the paper containing the strio-
lures upon his brother-in-law, and that
this motion was quickly followed by
shot from Shifts gun.
Creates Profound Sensation.
The tragedy created profound sensa-
tion in Missouri Valley. The shooting oc-
CURED at $50 in the afternoon just when
people were leaving their places of bust
ness for their homes and the sound of
the shot brought hundreds of people to the
| scene.
At the time of the shooting public senti-
ment in Missouri Valley seemed to be in
favor Of Sniff, while now here and there.
1t is rather evenly divided. The conduct
of Sniff during the trial is held accounta-
bic for the change in feeling. Several
times during the trial he busted himself
| by reading a newspaper and at other
times he smiled as in complete unconcern
and confidence as to the outcome. This
attitude attracted the attention of Attor-
ney Genung. who turned once to the de-
fendant and remarked
"Never mind, sniry. old boy, I'll send
you uo II can"
Jury Dismissed for Day.
One of the chief grounds Of the de-
fense for a new trial is the fact that
during the progress of the trial Judge
Green became sick and the jury was at
liberty to converse and be conversed with
by whom 1t pleased. This cessation Of
the hearing continued for one day
When the case was called for trial Mrs
| Brundige, mother of the dead man, OBJ
Jected TO County Attorney Thomas Smith
conducting the prosecution, alleging he
was prejudiced In favor OF the defense
or at least was not sufficiently anxious
for a conviction. She wanted Egan and
Cochran of this city. Considerable time
was consumed in controverting this point
| Finally It was decided Smith should con-
| duct the trial and be assisted by Genung,
Clarence Kellogg, city attorney OF Mis-
souri, Valley, was snins lawyer
Brundige was about 40 years OF age was
married, had two children and enjoyed a
good reputation. He was a contractor.
| but did not have any considerable means.
! He was noted an expert wrestler Snifr
| is about 80, has wife and NO children.
| Nor is he a man Of means
snin Is out on bond. He returned TO
his home at the end of the trial and
did not seem fearful as to the ultimate
result.