The state herald., 1907-08-23
PRETTY GIRL
CAUSE OF IT
INSANE JEALOUSY. OF RANCHER
OVER SCHOOL TEACHER
ENDS IN DEATH.
SAID HE'D MAKE ROOM
WAS TO HAVE BEEN GROOM IN
FEW DAYS BUT CRUEL FATE
lNTERFERED.

Meeker. Colo-lmarining that his
sweetheart. Miss Ethel Caldwell.
pretty school teacher, had been
sighted by Clarence Mathes, Il. Nc
Dowell mounted his horse rode to the
Mathes ranch and stated that he was
going to kill everyone on the place.
Mathes, who was forced to run from in
front of McDowell's gun, ran into n
barn. secured a shotgun, and, omerg-
ing. shot Mcdowell three times. kill
ing him instantly. Both men are
wealthy ranchmen and Mcdowell was
to have been married next Wednesday
to Miss Caldwell, who was the limo
cent cause of the duel.
An inquest in the case was held here
and the coroner's jury. after hearing
all the testimony, brought In n verdict
to the effect that Mcdowell had met
his death on the morning Of the day
of the inquest and that death resulted
from gunshot wounds inflicted by Clar-
ence Mathes. The jury held the killing
TO have been justihable.
Had Many suitors.
The circumstances which resulted I'm
the killing and in bringing sorrow to
the heart of the pretty school teacher
who was soon to have been bride
are most unusual. Miss Caldwell had
been teaching school In the country
near the ranches Of Mathes and Nc
Dowell for the past few yeas and had
many suitors among the sturdy ranch
M.Ia hur
violent courtship and is said to have
thought much more OF his sweetheart
than he did of his life. The ranch
house of Mathes was the closest to
the school house AMI Miss Caldwell
desired to board and room there. but
was told by Mathes that he had not
the room to accommodate her. as his
family was large. This caused Nc
Dowell to become enraged and in tho
morning he got ON his horse and with
his gun thrown across the saddle
started for the Mathes ranch TO de-
mand an explanation. ON the road he
met Miss Lottie Burdick and Homer
Maxon and told them Of the slight that
he believed had been offered To his
| bride-to-be. Both Miss Burdick and
Maxon stated that they did not believe
woman. but simply had not the room
TO accommodate her, I'm make some
room up there. then" Mcdowell said.
"Ill kill every --- on the Mathes
ranch. then thcrc'll be room enough'"
Mcdowell pulled his gun and ordered
Mnxon TO accompany him to the
Mathes ranch. Maxon talked Mellow
ell out Of this idea and the enraEed
lover proceeded alone.
Told to Prepare to Die.
Arriving at the Mathes ranch. Nc
Dowell encountered Clarence Mathes.
when within three feet Of his intended
victim Mcdowell drew his gun and
told Mnthes he had 10 die. Mathes ran
for the barn and Mcdowell began flr-
Ing. One shot went through Mathes'
coat
Mcdowell dismountcd, drew n six
shooter. and. corncring Mnihes In the
barn, told him to go into the house and
shave and change his clothes. as he
had better prepare TO meet his Maker.
Mathos jumped for his gun which hung
by tho door of the building. and, secur-
Ing II. opened firo on Mcdowell. Three
bullets took effect In McDowell's body.
One entered the left eye. another
lodged In the neck seyoring the Jugu-
lar vein. and the third went through
his right arm. Mcdowell fell dead at
the third shot.
At tho inquest Mathes insisted thnt
he never thought In amy but kindly
way of the school teacher and wonlL
have been pleased to have her lodge
at his house II he had had sufficient
room.