Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-01-30
KOONTZ MOTIVE HELD SECRET
Slayer of Freight Conductor Smith
Refuses to Talk with Friends.
BROTHER VISITS THE PRISONER
Inquiry Into Tragedy win He Con-
Quoted by Coroner Crosby on
Tuesday Afternoon, when
witnesses Return.
BROTHER VISITS THE PRISONER

L. f. EoontE. the Missouri Pacific
engineer charged with the murder Of
Frank ". Smith, freight conductor,
rolls and losses on a small cot In his
twelve foat-square cell at the police sta
ton. His obdurate retIeence is an APP
parent strain upon him. He has not yet
employed a lawyer and the burden Of
the secret which probably is shared only
by his wife, II with anyone. seems
temporarily TO be weakening his physical
as we'll as mental resources. AT short
intervals he rises from his cot TO stand
in his cell and gaze blankly at the bars
that hold him in. AZ mao studying a
plcture-a displeasing pieture-he stands
and stares.
The motive which prompted koontS
to murder his fellow workman has not
been established by the police. The two
trainmen. ]. b. Wentworth and j. ID.
Ford, who witnessed the tragedy, and
who left shortly afterwards on their run
TO Falls City. will not return until tonight.
Inauary into the shooting will be held
at . O'Clock tomorrow afternoon by
Coroner Crosby.
Yardmaster sduires Of the Missouri
Pacific said he did not think that the two
brakemen who witnessed the tragedy
would be able to throw any light on the
motive. He said he talked with them
before they went out Saturday night and
Ford said he did not hear any words
spoken. wentworth told souires that he
heard KoontS say, II know It." and then
the fatal shot was fired.
George Koontz, brother OF the prisoner.
called at the city jail this morning to talk
with his brother. but he refused to make
statement after leaving the cell.
Friends have visited him but have come
away rernarklng that he refused TO men,
ton or allow them 10 mention anything
concerning his trouble. lie rather would
let them do the talking than talk himself
and what they have to say little interests
him. In conversation with him. they say
he looks off into space, and seems at.
tentIye to what is being said 10 him only
when his visitors voice rises or falls
| from ordinary mobilization.
| In his cell. this same indifference !,
| told. A collar lies on a chair. hts neck
tie on the floor his coat on the foot OF
his cot and other bits Of apparel strewr
here and there. as though no though
were concentrated on or was worthy oI
such an insignificant task a. undressing
/ lie has telephonsd 10 Mrs. Koontz two
or three times since his imprisonment
When he talks with her he SAYS yes
and mo- In Indifferent. but kindly tones
and other than his telling her not q
worry, the listener could not guess tina
any trouble bore upon them
Mrs. KoontE is unable To visit her hus
hand. She has been in delicate health 70
about five months. The shock Of he
husbands act has affected her NOR,
seriously than 1t has MIN.
Koontz last night asked Turnkey JOhi
Brady for an opinion as 20 the abllltl
Of a certain tWo attorneys. He expressed
no opinion himself Before going in Il
visit Koontz last night. Attorney Thomas
Donohuc and Yardmaster squiFes Of tn
missouri Parific said A. S. Richie prob
ably would be retained 10 defend thu
prisoner. After the visit they would max
no definite statement
sKoontzs' motive for killing Smith. hi
friend for many years, may come Il
light at the eoroner's inquest. Corone
Crosby has not set a date for the ex
animation but says he probably will hoi'
It Tuesday afternoon.