Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-06-16
ENRAGED HUSBAND
IN TRAGIC AFFRAY
Jealous Tailor Kills His Mother.
inlaw, Misses His Wife and
Then Takes His Own Life.

Sioux Falls, S. D., June 6.-Herman
c. Piepho, a crippled tailor of this city,
ended a troublesome love affair here
last night and committed a double
tragedy by shooting his motherinlaw,
Mrs. Carrie Johnson, and then shoot
Ing himself
Mabel Johnson, formerly the wife of
the dead man, escaped a bullet intended
for her by running from the scene of
the shooting. Piepho and Mrs. Johnson
died instantly.
Mrs. Johnson and her daughter. who
was divorced from her husband two
months ago. were on their way to the
Omaha railroad station when they
were met by Piepho. with whom they
have frequently quarreled during the
last few weeks.
First Shoots at Wife.
Evidently an argument followed. for
after the trio had passed the Eighth
street bridge and had reached the Tut
tie lumber yard, Piepho was seen to
draw a revolver and shoot. The daugh-
ter Immediately ran across the street.
Piepho fired a shot after her, but it
went wild. Mrs. Johnson stood with
her back to the lumber office and Of
fered nc defense while the enrageG
man turned the gun on her and fired
a bullet through her mouth. She fell
w NAAS AbS SiIA GAlAd 1JCo ~ =
tering a groan. Piepho then placed the
gun over ks right temple and fired an
other shot. His body fell beside that
Of Mrs. Johnson, where 1t was found
by those who rushed to the Gene.
The people OF the city, returning
from church services, were shocked at
the news Of the awful crime. Instantly
the streets were filled with men run
ming to the scene and automobiles hur-
rying through the city. For half
an hour after the shooting the bodies
remained on the sidewalk awaiting the
arrival of the coroner Mrs. John
son was lying on her back, her head
against the building. her hat pushed
over her face and the blood streaming
over her waist. Piepho lay with out
stretched arms and legs with the u
clasped In his right hand. Policemen
were kept busy pushing back the
crowds which quickly gathered OF the
scene.
Domestic Unhappiness.
The murder and suicide are the con-
sequences of an unhappy marriage
which ook place in Luverne, Mimi,
December %, 1910. Mabel Johnson,
the Minnesota town with Piepho, who
was 45 years old. The marriage was
opposed by Mrs. Johnson. The couple
returned to Sioux Falls and lived to-
gether two weeks. The young wife
then returned to her mother, complain
ing The. her husband had whipped her
and had threatened to kill her. Mrs.
Johnson took the part OF her daughter.
thereby mourning the anger OF the hus-
band. Mrs. Piepho then applied for a
divorce and resumed her maiden name.
Since that time the daughter has
been employed as n s~tenographer in a
law office at Luverne. She returned to
\ H.. 70 L. l--s ..-kk 60 It
+, with her mother.
Murderer Much Married.
Piepho is known TO have been mar
ried three times before coming to Sioux
Falls. it is thought hat one OF his
former wives is living In Nebraska and
that they were never divorced.
Mrs. Johnson worked for some OF the
leading families In the city and enjoyed
the respect of the city. She reared and
educated her family by her own efforts.
She Is survived BY two daughters and
ore SOL.