Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-11-13
Koch Says Revolver Exploded as
He Raised Arm to Ward
OFF Blow.
CLAD OF SAFETY IN 4 CELL
lad Been Shot at in Woods and
Now Fears That GordOn's
Friends Will Kill Him
in Revenge.

in Revenge.
Rutland. Nov TO- Entirely satisfied in
his own mind that when all the facts ale
known ne Will again bo given his liberty.
William Koch Of West Haven. the
wealthy farmer charged with the killing
of Charles Gordon NJ Whitehall, y. Y,
ON Sunday morning following a dispute
over some traps the latter had set on the
prisoners game preserve on Lake Cham
| plain. this afternoon told his story II
newspaper representative, claiming from
start to finish that the shooting was en-
tirrly an accident, but admitting ,iat he
had had more or less trouble with the
dead man for number of wears back
Mr. KOCH who Is about 80 years OLD and
unmarried talked for fully an hour at
the house of correction to-day, telling of
his experience with the men living along
Lake Champlain, north Of Whitehall,
who are making a living Illegally catch
ing fish and game and his troubles with
them, acting under the laws of the state
IF New York, where he is a deputy fish
and game warden.
II am very glad that I passed last night
al a ''4lt ne Stlu AO-'ldN, because /
might have been killed by some of Cor
dons friends before I was able to get
protection. I have been threatened by
Mr.. Gordon ana his friends and only
about three wears ago, Eve Of them hell
me up and was forced to gain my free
dom by drawing a revolver, which had
right to carry. being a game ward n.
Mr.. Koch. who is American born
of German parentaee. is a slightly built
man and it is stated that he has not
been well for the last three years, or
since the death of his mother. His
father who was formerly bond and
stock broker in New York city, is at
present visiting his old home in Ger
many. The cider Mr.. Koch is reported
to be wealthy. He was notified to-
day of the shooting and it is probable
that he will return to America at once.
KOCHS VERSION OF AFFAIR
William Koch. who is charged with
the shooting, gave this version of the
affair this afternoon while sitting in
the wardens office at the house of cor
rection: sunday morning ! was on
the lake in small row boat and hap
pened to be passing the spot where
Charles Gordon was looking over some
of his traps placed near the shore on
my land. At the time l was not look
'Hs lor nun III part'cuIai' pul Wheh
Sa" "ha' was solhs on l ro"ed IN
close 10 shore grounded my boat on
the beach and stepped on the land. |
One of his trans was within q short
distance and I walked over to it, |
smashed 1t and then turned to Cor |
don and ordered him to remove all |
his traps
M. Gordon was furious in an in
slant and his eyes plared. He stopped |
and picked up big piece of wood one |
that is used in stalking down box |
trap and with this he raised as If to
strike me over the head with it, BY |
this time ] had walked back into my !
boat and this was the position we were !
in when the accident happened
II was in the boat and the look in |
Gordon's eyes made me draw my re-
volver and then, when he lifted the !
club to strike me- / raised my arm to |
ward off the blow and as I did so the !
revolver exploded and Gordon fell
These are the facts. had no in
tenton Of pulling the trigger and IL |
the gun had not been one of double
action the accident would never have |
happened. ! then did all 1 could to |
save the mans life as the papers have /
already stated"
Had you ever had any trouble with
. Mr.. Gordon beforc?" Mr.. Koch was
asked
rlAD DIEM 9liol Al OF Ten
Yes replied Mr. Koch, land many !
is the time he has threatened me He /
| belonged to a gang of illegal fisher |
men and huntsmen who infest that |
| section of New York State and during |
my term as a FISH and game warden I
| had caused prosecutions to be brought |
against h'Nl' ana IN one instance ]
'"''eu MN 10 pay hhe' 90 not care !
|" go INTO particulars at all at this +,
time out Will say that numerous |
umes nave been shot at while in the
woods seeking evidence against Illegal |
game hunters and once | was slightly |
wounded, ] am not able to say who |
hred the guns but | am familiar with !
the men near whose abodes l was
walking when the shooting took place. |
! did not bring any action against the !
men for the simple reason that | escaped
without serious injury.
only a few months they burned |
u large barn on my property and fire. |
quenty these men who feared me in their |
dopredations killed my cattle and sheep |