Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-12-08
ON TRIAL FOR MURDER
OF HIS FATHER
Shocking Disclosures at Hearing oi
Paul Pierre at st. An
thOny. Ida.
lspeeIal Correspondence }

district court this week is being heard
the trial of Paul Pierre for the murder
OF MS father, GustaNe Pierre, on July
2S CT this year. at the family home
stead at Mud Lake. this state,
The Nervousness of the crime is at
tracing widespread interest In the
trial. the courtroom being packed With
spectators from all parts OF the county
County Atty. Mcconnell expects u
implicate every member OF the Pierre
family and even the sweetheart of one
of the Pierre boys. The attorney be
lieves Paul was the agent of the com
bined family in killing his father, so
that they might gain possession OF his
little fortune of $1,000, go to the cities
and Squander it and see life.
The fact that Gustave Pierre was inH
sane and dangerous to his household
comprises the chief argument Of Atty.
Holden of Idaho Falls. who represents
the defense. But the stand taken by
the prosecuting attorney, and his re
pcated presentation of facts pointing
toward conspiracy and that there had
been previous attempts to put the head
OF the family out of the way. tends to
dslodge the arguments OF the defense.
Tho Pierres came to America from
Belgium and for several years lived at
Streator. ILL.,, where the two boys we're
born. Gustave Pierre took his family
to Idaho a year ago. locating on a
homestead
The story of the crime as told by
Paul Pierre Is most shocking one.
According tho Paul's statement the
father had been abusing a dog in front
OF the home. when Paul seized n Win
chester rifle and shot him. The first
bullet failed to take effect and alter
being hurled to the ground he rose and
questioningly stared at his son.
MY father was very profanc, said
Paul Pierre when he made his confess
sion. II didn't want to see him die
with oath on his lips and SO quick
ly cent another bullet into his body
right over his heart, and he fell dead.
The scenes that followed. disclosed
by the confession. give the authorities
ground for believing that the murder
OF Gustnve Pierre MAS the result of Il
conspiracy. All members of the Pierre
family and Elethia Trap. who was
soon TO be the bride OF Edward Pierre,
came out to view the body when Paul
had announced that "thc old man was
dead" and with apparent satisfaction
at the dispatch of the decd wrapped IL
in p blanket Then the Vic Of the
dead man. his two sons and prospective
dau ghter-in- law made preparations for
funeral services.
Lumber was scarce at the Pierre
ranch on Mud Lake, Paul states In his
confession. and he had to rip boards
out of the barn of the ranch in order
to construct a coffin. When TINS rude
box had been made the two sons
placed Gustave Pierre in the crude cas-
ket. Then a shallow grave was dug
and the family waited until nightfaii
for the burial.
But expected darkness did not come
Instead, a bright moon lit the plans
with a light like day. The burial was
DELAYED for hours in hope that cloud
might shadow the moon. But this did
not come. and. impatient, the two sons
carried the body to the newly opened
grave. The casket was lowered ana
the family knclt In prayers as faui
Pierre. Who had killed his father. tossed
earth over the casSet and attempted 10
say a committal service. Under tne
bright moon the family remained in
prayer until the mother closed TINS uii,
usual funeral service with an appeal
that her Youngest son might be for
given for the deed.
Suspicion was aroused among thc
nelrnbors when conflicting statements
were made as to the disappearance OIL
the head of the house. Paul Pierre eN-
planned that his father had gone BACK
to the old home in Belgium to look
after certain affairs that had devcl-
oped in the death OF relative. inen
Mrs. Pierre said her husband had gone
to IVashingt ton to seek work In the coal
fields. with later intentions to prospect
for gold in California. The other son
had a different story to tell. and the
IrII ,,a1inf in11 that the
aged homeseeker had disappeared un-
beknown to members of the family.
Investigation of the disappearance OF
the aged Gustave Pierre by Constable
Shelley of Market Lake threw sus-
picion on Paul Pierre. He placed him
under arrest and obtained a confession.
Then he removed him to st. Anthony.
where the story of the unusual crime
led to the arrest Of all members OF
the Pierre family and Alcthia Irapp.
They had left the ranch where the mur-
der had been committed and were dis
covered at night by Idaho Falls officers
I'm q secluded mountainous section oi
the county.
In his confession. Paul Pierre insisted
that his father had labored under hal
mcInations that his wife was not true
to him and that his children were try
ing to rob him of his wealth and home
stead He said that during the morn
Ing before the murder Gustavc Pierre
had displayed terrible signs of temper
and had made an oath that he would
kill his wife and two sons and his
cattle and horses. and burn the build
ings on the ranch and then take his
own life.
ION the following morning" stated
Paul Pierre. my father terribly abused
mother, and when saw him kick onC
curse at the dog feared that he would
carry out his threat of the day before
Without a moments hesitation L selzet
my rifle and shot him..