New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-14
SAYS SHAW WAS KILLED
AFTER GROSS INSULT
Father-in-LaW of Slayer Gives
Details of Shooting Of Amer
lean in Honduras.
DID NOT WITNESS TRAGEDY
Murdered Man Alleged to Have
Said He Believed Mouth Would
Some Time Get Him
Into Trouble.
BY Te!egrarh to The rrtbane.


New Orleans, June IA new and startl-
ing version of the recent killing of Fred
crick Pierpont Shaw, of New York. at
! Black River, Honduras. was given to-day
| by John Riplinger. Of Iriona. Honduras,
president of the American Fruit and Steam
ship Company, who arrived this afternoon.
Riplnger Is the father-in-law of Shsw's
slayer and was present at the inquest over
the young American. He says report OF
Shaw's being slain in a desperate midnight
battle is pure fabrication. He declares the
killing took place at 9 o'clock IN the morn
! ing of June 4. after Shaw had grossly IN
! suited &. g. Van Sickler. formerly OF 81.
] Louis and Mrs. Van Sickler. Van Sickltf
alone was the agent of his death. he SAID.
Mr. Riplinger. who is Mnnesotan, did
not witness tho tragedy. but his brother
! Nicholas Riplinger, was present.
According 10 testimony at the inquest
said the ship line president, shaw was
altogether to blame for his death. the
shooting occurred in the plantation house
Of the banana farm OF the Central Ameri-
can Commercial Company. Van SEEKER
would not have shot had not Mr.. Shaw
cursed him and called his wife a name
which was an insult.
When the trouble took place Shaw was
sitting at a table in the hall room OF the
house and Mrs Van Sckler. her husband
ana my brother were on the other side OF
the table The night before Shaw had come
to the plantation house and ordered Van
Sicker and his wife To vaCate at once. lie
was insulting and abusive and cursed
shamefully. but was persuaded to leave and
agree to a settlement with the Van Sicklers,
who had been put in charge of the place.
The next morning a settlement was 10
he arranged. The dispute arose when Shaw
, wanted to know what had become Of drum
Of gasolene. While Van SiCkler was OK
planning Shaw suddenly arose. clapped his
hand To his belt. in which hung two re-
volvers. and exclaimed Will some one
please rid me Of this cur before r AS
he paused he made threatening gesture
as if to draw a revolver. and Mrs. Van
Sickler screamed thinking he meant to kill
her husband. Shaw turned and ordered her
to Shut up" following the command with
a gross insult
When he said that Van stepped into a
back room and got gun. which he fired
point blank at shaw. the bullet striking him
in the groin. Shaw turned and ran without
attempting to return the fire. Van Sickler
giving chase and firing again"
Riplnger pointed out that Shaw was a
powerful man. feet inches tail. and that
Van Sickler was only feet inches. Ac-
cording to Riplinger. the dying words 81
Shaw. who lived some forty-iive minutes.
as told by witnesses at the inquest, were:
Il always thought my mouth would get
me into trouble, but this is murder This
statement IL was said. was made to Charles
Jefs. an American and his Interpreter and
confidential man.
Riplinger blames the trouble primarily
on the Atlantic Fruit Company. whose
agent Shaw was. and says the Amer an
was angry with all the planters In thit
section.
Shaw WAS engaged 10 80 TO lroua az an
attorney by G. \. Mullarkey, who had au-
thority from the Chicago Till" and Trus,
Company 10 act az agent for the III
nois court in the settlement 81 the bu3i-
ness OF the Central American Commercial
Company. which IS in the hands Of re-
ceivcr