The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-02-06
Jury Finds Verdict
IN Richards Case
THAT DECEASED CAME TO HIS
DEATH ~ SELF IMPLICIT.
60 WOUNDS.

jamestown N. D., Feb. 5.-After q
session Friday afternoon and Satur-
lay morning the coroner's jury called
to Investigate the circumstances Of
the shooting by which Owen Rich
ards lost his life on Januard %,
reached a verdict that the deceased
had committed suicide, or that he
came to his death from a mortal
wound inflicted by his own hand,
with q % calibre rife.
Considerable testimony was taken
in the case. DR.. Movius and Dr..
Guest testified to the presence Of
powder marks on the skin near the
wound which caused death. Other
witnesses were Mr.. and Mrs. Albert
Kratzke and Mr.. Devall, and Grant
Richards, father of the young man.
The chief witness in the case was
Miss Maggie Kupperschmidt, and
the verdict Of the jury after hearing
the testimony, completely exonerates
her from having anything to do with
the killing of young Richards, The
circumstances surrounding the case
were peculiar, and until the facts
had become known, might lead some
to form other conclusions than that
which the Jury reached.
Miss Kupperschmidt, a teacher of
nearby school, who boarded at the
Richards house, testified that she
had arisen on the morning of the
tragedy and had gone into the room
of Mr.. and Mrs. Kratzke, who also
reside in the Richards house, to
dress, as the room was warmer than
her own, and adjoining her own. In
order to reach Mr.. and Mrs. Kratz-
ke's room from the hall it was nee
essary to pass through the room of
Miss Kupperschmidt. Mr.. and Mrs.
Kratzke had already gone down
stairs to breakfast. While dressing
she heard knock on the door and
on opening it met Owen Richards,
who had entered through her room,
the door of which had been left open.
A short conversation followed be-
tween them, in which, she testified,
that Owen asked her why she had
not gone to the dance with him the
night before, to which she replied,
you know the reason; we can't get
along together" He /. then. made
some remark about hoping that she
would have a good time. and said:
TN. do something that. will make
you remember me for many years."
With that he turned and the door
Has closed. Very soon afterwards
she heard the click and shot and
heavy fau to the door. She rushed
ont and found Owen was bleeding
arom . wound in the head. aud q r.
as Of 20 oaubre WIS found lying .
ssw feet from him. He, vas On the
moor in9hars room She immediately
raised his head on her arm in order
to render him some assistance and
in doing 80 some of the blood low.
ing from the wound stained her
shirtwaist. The waist she afterward
removed and gave to Mr.. Devall
who on the witness stand testified to
ne same thing. and-t to the position
Of the blood stains on the shirt waist.
Mr.. and Mrs. Albert Kratzke also
testified to the same statements re.
garding the occupancy Of their room
and the fact that the teacher went
to the room from her own. Grant
Richards also gave his testimony in
the case. but no other material facts
were learned than wac brought out
BY other witnesses.
e Is not known where young Rich.
ards got the ride with which the
shot was nred. @ It was sometimes
left down stairs and sometimes n
his room. It was brought ont In the
testimony that Owen had objected
to her going to the dance, ana that
sue went with another young man,
named Frank Perry. The dance
was held at a neighbor's. Mr.. John.
sons few miles distant. Owen
also attended the dance and was
urged to do so by his brother Bert.
who had just returned home from q
three weeks trip. Owen had not
felt we'll and was not inclined to go
to the dance at first.
in the examination before the cor
ener's jury, Miss Kupperschmidt
was represented by Attorney ]. A.
Murphy.
Ivan Rattegan, the colored porter
who was arrested at Devils Lake
recently on charge OF robbing 9
ma auonpAp an Hroof Nn1fhnSn frain In