Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1910-04-22
BROTHERS-IN-LAW FIGHT TO
DEATH
Geo. Bafus Killed Geo. Lust ut Dusty.
In This County, Saturday.

George Bafus was lodged in the
county Jail at Colfax Sunday night
| charged with the murder of his
brother-in-law, George Lust, on Sat
urday night. Bafus is a wealthy
rancher living Is miles southwest
of ColfaX. He was living on his
home ranch, having rented part of
the ranch to his step-brother, Adam
Bafus. and his brother-in-law.
They, with another brother-in-law,
Henry Lust, and their families had
been to ColfaX Saturday, and from
all accounts the men had INDUCED
in too much liquor. They started
home, and during the quarrel which
followed the fast driving of George
Bafus the women took one rig and
the men the other.
The men first quarreled because
Bafus was oycrdriving the team he
had sold his renters. On arriving
/ home he scolded his wife for leaving
him and riding with the other wo-
men. Adam Bafus took up the quar-
rel, having accompanied his brother
home. Frightened with the trouble
that was coming, Mrs. Bafus left her
husband and seven children and fled
to the home of her brother one mile
away.
The two brothers struggled for
some time, the honors being about
even and neither being seriously
hurt. Adam followed his sister-in-
law, reporting the trouble to Geo.
Lust, who went on horseback to the
Bafus home.
Arriving there he was ordered away
several times by George Bafus, who
with his children had possession of
their home. Lust entered the house
and a pitched battle ensued The
children, terrified, fled from the
home, watching the trouble from the
windows and doors. Bafus admits
having had the best Of the fight,
but used a stick of stovewood strik-
ing Lust on the head twice, cutting
two large gashes on his scalp. One
blow fractured the skull, causing
hemmorhage of the brain.
Lust was able after the battle to
regain his horse and ride home,
where he was cared for, but died
three hours later.
In the meantime Adam Bafus had
summoned Henry Lust, who hurried
to the home of George Bafus, not
knowing that his brother had been
injured Bafus informed them that
he had just licked" George and was
all in, and would kill them with a
file which he held in his hand if
they entered his home.
The two retreated and went to
the aid of their comrade. Coroner
Bruning, Prosecuting Attorney Cham
berlain and Deputy Sheriff Cole were
summoned, and left for the scene at
once.
Bafus declared that he was only
protecting his home and children,
and had had no serious trouble with
his wife. He admitted that the fight
with his step-brother caused ho seri-
Gus injury to either, both beng only
slightly disfigured.
He admitted that he struck Lust
with a piece of stoYewood on the
head, but said he had no thought of
killing him. The children's version
of the affair favored their father.
Mrs. Bafus also testified that she did
not leave her home for fear of her
husband, but to avoid a quarrel.
Lust was unmarried and was buri-
ed at Dusty on Tuesday.
Bafus was released from the coun-
ty Jail late Tuesday night on bonds
of $4,000, A. J. Davis and George
Larue being bondsmen. Bafus gave
them a mortgage on his section of
land as security. His wife came to
Colfax and he returned with her.