The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1911-12-15

drove to Wahpeton and immediately
went to my house. was in Fargo
just having returned from Crosby. MI
wife told him that he had better SCI
the states attorney, that IL the man
was insane he would need to be look.
ed after by some Of the officers OF the
law. Mr.. Steffes went to the states
attorney, swore out g. complaint; a
warrant was issued. and Mr.. Moody
with two other men and Mr.. Steffes ac-
companying them, drove back to the
farm.
Shooting of Moody.
''Mr. Moody went to the kitchen door
and after some conversation with Hud-
son, Moody demanded that he come out
and surrender According to a man
who was with Mr.. Moody, Hudson said
If YOU will get of that porch 1 viii
come out Moody stepped off the
porch, Hudson stepped out. rifle in
hand, and according to man present
Mr.. Moody and Hudson commenced
firing at the same time. The bullet
from Mr.. Moody's pistol struck Hud-
son in the right hand, and the bullet
from Hudson's rifle struc k Sherift
Moody in the body, killing him in
stantly.
There was considerable excite
ment about that time, and the details
are somewhat lacking. Mr.. Steffes
team became frightened, as it was
stated that Hudson fired two shots at
Steffes, soaring his team.
The team started to run south and
got tangled in a wire fence, about 40C
feet from the house. Hudson followed
Steffes with the rifle. Steffes' aband
oned the team and went on foot to the
next neighbor, a half mile away. Hud-
son got hold Of the team, made his
escape from the farm and went mile
west and thence in a southeriy direc-
tion. arriving at the house of Isaac
Cook about lao a. m.
The rest OF the story you have had
from men who were in the party that
hunted him, and is no doubt correct
There are no criticisms on the ac.
tion Of the posse who killed the muir
derer of Sheriff Moody, as they die
all they could to capture him alive. He
was armed with a good rifle, and had
at least 100 rounds of ammunition left
and being in danger, he might have
got some of the posse, and as night was
again approaching he was making 70:
the cover of a straw pile, the leader
of the posse gave orders to fire, ana IL
short time he was dropped.
Sheriff Moody no doubt did his du.
ty fearlessly, and the circumstances
were unfortunate.
Man insane.
"The man was no doubt insane as
he was guilty of no crime except pos
sibly Of trespassing, which would not
have been brought against him as far
as I am concerned, for the few DAYS
and nights that he was domiciled al
my house.
The county commissioners met on
Monday and appointed Willis p. Rob
bins sheriff Of Richland county to sue
ceed Moody. Mr.. Robbins is a brother
OF Y. V. Robbins who served four
years as sheriff Of Richland county
Willis Robbins being his chief deputy,
The board was unanimous in the
selection of Mr.. Robbins and the peo-
pie of Richland county are well
pleased. While they regret the unfor-
tunate death of Sheriff Moody. the
wheels of justice must grind along
and 1t is generally known that Mr..
Robbins will make good and pains
taking officer. He had a consultation
with Mrs. Moody yesterday, and she
Will remain in the sherifGs residence
until next April, as long as she desires
to stay, and will board the prisoners
and will be treated with courtesy and
kindness by Mr.. Robbins.
AT a mass meeting at the CITY hall
IN Wahpeton in less than an hour the
citizens raised about $40O for Mrs.
Moody and family, and that will reach
from $1,000 to $4,000 by the time the
list gets around to the many friends
of the sheriff in Richland county. The
commissioners were also debating as
TO how, under the law, the county
could make a donation to Mrs. Moody.
her husband having been killed in the
discharge of his duty, and they win
no doubt find some way to helm her
and family out.
There is feeling of sympathy for
the Moody family in wahpeton ana
throughout the entire county, as they
are we'll known and one OF the best
families of Wahpeton. This Is mat
ter Of common Justice that they should
be helped out in their severe trials. al
they have met with an affliction that
only kindness and the pity Of GOD
can heal"
(.
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