Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-04-01

Another most shocking and brutal
murder was added to the criminal an
nails Of the county at 10 o'clock
wednesday night. when John Confer,
aged Is, q farm hand, shot and killed
his employer, Dennis Milan, aged AZ,
and his wife, Minnie. aged IS, at
their home one-half mile south Of
Green Mountain. In Jail this fore
noon Confer signed confess
sion made thru Lewis M. Welter, as a
sign language interpreter, before Cor
oner A. r. Lynn. Milan and his wife,
were both deaf mutes, as is also Con-
fer.
Strange as it may seem there is a
motive lacking, save for fanc!ed
grievance that Confer had against his
employer. Confer says that few days
ago Milan sent him out to spread
manure and refused to help. They had
words and Milan threatened to choke
him. Confer also said that he had be-
come angry with his employer and his
wife Saturday night when they refused
to permit him to come to town.
The deed to which Confer has con-.
fessed his guilt was most bloody, one.
That 1T was committed In cold blood
there seems no doubt. ThatAit was
planned, Confer admits. and in his con-
fession also admits that he had meant
to kill Milan and his wife since Satur-
day night. He shot Milan first, and
then Mrs.. Milan. Milan died instantly,
but Mrs. Milan fingered for about two
hours. She died while on her way In
an ambulance to the Deaconess hos
pital. Confer was not informed this
morning Of Mrs. Mflan's death, and as
far as could be observed he believed
the woman was still alive.
Milan's Head Shot Away.
It was grewsome sight that con-
fronted sneighbors, physicians tho Off
GERS coroner and T.-R. reporter at
the little home Of the Milans on
the farm of the William Evans es-
tate.
In the bed room occupied by, the Mi
lans Mr.. Milan was found lying on the
floor at the foot Of the bed with the
entire right side Of his head shot away.
The bed was covered with blood. Mrs.
Milan sat in a chair in the little kitch-
en-, nearly dead from shock and loss
OF blood. Her left arm was completely
shattered at the biceps, and gaping
wound was made thru the back, at q
point about at the right shoulder
blade. Some Of the leaden pellets
from this charge Of shot went entirely
thru the Woman's body.
DIR. J. f. Strain gave first aid to
Mrs. Milan, administering strychnine
cat In, nd ,,o0rphino m
ease the woman's pain. DR.. r. E..
Keyser was called and the two physic-
ians started for the hospital with the
patient after giving the wounds pre-
liminary dressings. Mrs. Milan died
about midway on the journey and her
body was taken to the Pursel morgue.
Confer Summons Neighbors.
Rev. Leroy Gallagher, who lives
about thirty rods west Of the Evans
farm on the Mrs. J. G.. Reese farm.
was the first person notified OF the
crime. It was Confer who sounded the
alarm. He said that robbers had at
tackled the Milans, killed Mr.. Milan,
and broken Mrs Milan's arm. Confer
had q shotgun with him. Gallagher
Accompanied him to the Milan home
and found the sight as described above.
he LOOK IHo SuOlS5 uA lAOAA SoAASAs $~AAS~
with the latter's aid extracted the two
loaded shells. Gallagher lent aid to
Mrs. Milan, and ran back to his own
home and summoned DR.. Strain and
the neiRhbors F. a.. Woodworth, who
lives one mile west, was among the
first to arrive. Oliver Gorsuch, I. =.
Low, James Collins. Rev. g. = Barsa.
lou. and other neighbors were soon at
~ 80 Tnnfor MADE
no effort to escape.
Writes Note to Gallagher.
In apprising Gallagher. of the MUIR
der Confer wrote the following note'
which has been preserved:
"some robbrys ill Mr.. Milan.
heard A shots. Mrs. Milan got broke
arm"
Later Confer. wrote to Gallagher: Il
sleep about $3.50 o'clock. heard some
mems shot times. ] walked and help
her room. am afraid some robbrys
come and kill u.s."
In referring to Mrs Milan Confer
said: "She want go to hospital
Gallagher replied that he would get
an automobile and have her taken
right away. Mrs Milan wrote to-
Gallagher: "In hurry want to go to
hospitaI, and signed her initials. M.
B. NJ.
Declares Assaiiant Jail Bird.
DR.. Strain, realizing that the woman
probably had not long to live, wrote to
her.: Did the boy do the shooting,
referring to Confer The answer was:
t.He has been In jail in Green Bay.
wis., Mrs. Milan then lasped into par
tial Inconsistencies Before that She
had written to DR., Strains, It Is get =
ting dark. 9 - S. 50 81 8 49, 5 s.
Writes Nste 10 Sheriff. =
Sheriff Edgar and OFFICER w, a.
starn were i / the scene Of the murder
al about IL O'Clock, or q half hour al z
tar the sheriff had heen not fted. To
.the sheriff Nrs. Milan also wrote q