The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-27
w. G.. GLENN
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tional enough to take off his shoe and
SOCK and pull the trigger OF the gun
with his toe. In an effort to pun the
trigger he swerved the gun and The
shot did not pass through his heart as
There have been a number of scan
dalous stories going the rounds about
the incident yesterday afternoon. 1t
has been stated that Logston was in
cause he could not obtain her love in
return as he wished. Very few are in
clined to believe this. In the first place
Mrs. Abel was past middle age-she
would have been so years old in few
months. There has never been any
signs of intimacy between the tNc--in
fact no one in the family had anything
to do with him. He worked during
the day and as he could neither read
nor write he either came to town, went
to Topeka or to bed in the evenings.
Mrs. Abel was twice his age and the
story that 1t was a love affair of boy
hood and girlhood days is ridiculous.
She was 25 years old when he was
born. The families Of each have known
each other for some time but there
were no signs of love between them
according to the old settlers who have
lived there for years.
Mrs. Abel was loved by all who knew
her and the community was greatly
SnOCkGQ the news. before the STATE
Journal reporter left last evening tna
house was crowded with friends and
relatives who came to extend their re-
grets. Not long ago Mrs. Abel was
sick and the house was full all OF the
time with friends who came for mics
around to take care Of her and make
her comfortable. She was woman
with a kind heart and she was always
willing to help anyone. Her standing
in the country is the main subject OF
conversation in Jefferson county today.
Mrs. Abel was the daughter OF L. B.
Noggle. one of the finest old men who
ever lived in Jefferson county. He was
living with the family at the time but
had spent the day in Topeka. He re-
turned last evening and was pros
trated over the tragedy. She married
at an early age Mr.. j. B. Riggs, the
son of one of the oldest and best known
county surveyors of Jefferson. Two
daughters were born, Pearl, who is now
eighteen years of age. and Nellie, who
is married to a young farmer named
Ernest Ottinger. Fourteen years ago
Mrs Abel ran away from Riggs with a
hired hand who was James Abel, her
husband just before she died. d.
vorce was granted at once and the
couple were married after the divorce.
They have been living together very
happily ever since.
One curious thing about the divorce
Is the fact that Mr.. Riggs still visited
his former wife and his daughter at
the Abel farm. He kept the friendship
of Mr. Abel and visited them often
Some time during the rainy season
when Mr.. Abel was at home during the
daytime he would go out to the farm
and spend a number or days WITH
them. He took great interest in the
education of the daughter. Pearl, and
seemed to consider it his duty to take
care of her. Mr.. Riggs is staying with
the elder daughter here and has been
making his home here.
Employed by Abels for Years.
Dan Logston was the son of William
Logston who lives near Thompsonville,
on the Delaware. This is only a few
miles from this place. He has lived in
Granville working at different places
for the last five years. He has been
with the Abels about four years. His
family is well known and the standing
lis good. The boy had no learning
whatever He had never been to school
and could neither read nor write. This
was one reason for his failing to make
good with the girl as he told his
friends at Granville. He was very
tall, very dark with blue eyes. His
body was well built but slender. Ev-
eryone who has known him speaks of
his terrible temper. He did not seem
able to control it.
In baseball games this has been pro-
ven many times. 1t is said by some OF
the players mere that ne would get
ready to fight at the least provocation
but he cooled down as quickly as he
"riled." However, he has always been
considered harmless by the village peo-
pie. His language was uncommonly
profane. Every other word was an
oath.
| His love affairs seemed centered upon
this one Pearl Abel. She has never
| paid any attention to him and stated
time and again to the State journal
reporter that she was afraid of him
and would stay away from him when
he was around. He is known to have
| loved her but always tried to keep ii
| to himself. His Jealousy was the only
thing he could not keep hidden and
this was displayed many times. He was
q Woodman of good standing. He is
not known to have had any bad hab-
Its.
| In speaking of the horrible tragedy
to a State Journal reporter DR.. Smith
said he was under the impression that
| il was all an accident. Il am really
positive that this could have been moth
Ting but an accident. We plead with
him just before his death and he stuck
to the same apparently truthful story
The boy was uneducated but he had
no bad habits of any kind. His tenn.
lper was the only weakness. After in