The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-05-17
RALSBACK SHOOTS WITH DEADLY PRECISION

backs and Meeks OWNED their mean
ing. He ran across the fields to where
the two bodies lay with their heads
down the hillside. Percy Lankert, an
other neighbor, came soon, having
heard the shots. Woke left to tele-
phone to the city for an undertaken
and to notify the authorities. Upon
his return. he and Lankert drove
stakes and placed covering of can
vas and old carpet over the bodies,
80 as to protect them from the rays of
the bright sun.
The shooting took place just about
$50 yards south of the pike. Meek's
pasture adjoins Railsback's berry
patch here. 1t was on grass covered
slope Of little ravine. Spring beau
ties and anemonies were flourishing
and their white petals were stained
crimson by the blood that trickled
down the hillside. Parts Of the elder
Meek's brains that were blown from
the skull we're scattered about and
later spectators used the axes with
which the posts had been cut to chop
out pieces of sod to cover the bits of
matter.
All Are Prominent.
Both the Railsback and Meek fami-
lies are well known in the community
Alexander Meek moved to the place
from Arlington township about seven
teen years ago. The land was fairly
good and by dint of careful saving and
close cultivation, the ground had been
made to amass comfortable means.
In recent years prosperity had befallen
him to such an extent that he had con-
tracted but recently for the erection of
a $1,000 residence. The little hut-likc
house that had sheltered the family
for so many years was moved from it's
foundations and the excavation had
been made for the foundation of the
new structure. The contract had been
awarded the man for whom Joel Rails
back has been working as carpenter,
and had it not been that Railsbacl<
now has killed Meek, he would have
been employed on the latter's house.
despite family differences and fence
Quarrels. .
Origin Of the Trouble.
The dispute about the fence origin
ated four years ago. when Meek erect
ed woven wire fence along what ne
claimed was the west line of his farm.
The Railsbacks said he had encroach-
ed about three feet onto their land
Meek refused to move his fence and
recently Meek put up barbed wire
fence for a portion of the distance.
This is along what surveyor desig-
mated the proper line. There was .
devils lane between his woven wire
and barbed wire fences Neighbors
say he put up the new fence. fearing
the Railsbacks would tear down the
other and thus permit Meek's stock to
get onto the Railsbacks premises and
give them q cause for civil action.
Cut Down the Posts.
But the new fence did not extend
beyond the corner where the RAilsback
berry patch begins. The feud was re-
newed when the barbed wire fence
was stopped at this point by joining
onto the old fence. Last February,
upon the advice of their attorneys, it
is claimed, the Railsbacks went forth
with their axes and cut down the posts
for distance of 100 feet. But Meek
propped the posts up and the wire
held them In place. Hostilfties con-
tinued and on February 25. Of this
year there was . display of firearms.
Joel Railsback and the elder Meek had
an argument and Meek threatened to
use revolver. He jerked the weapon
from his pocket but Railsback grabbed
him and induced him to restore It be-
fore any injury had been inflicted.
Since that episode both families
have been expecting trouble 1t was
claimed by neighbors today they had
understood the Meeks had been CARRY
ing arms for some time In anticipa-
ton of meeting one or more OF the
Railsbacks at some time when blood
might be shed The catire community
has been aware of the Ill feeling that
has existed and previously lawyers had
been appealed to. to try and settle the
controversy.
Neighbors lntercede.
The Railsbacks have been In consul
t4tion with the flrm Of Jessup & Jes-
sup several times The old man Rails
back claims his attorneys had advised
him to protect his interests, but not
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