The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-06-10
FARMER RUNS AMUCK AT SO
One Dead and Three Injured in Farm
Tragedy Near Chanute-Feared
Loss of Property.

George Becker, SO years old, a
wealthy farmer, who resided ten
miles northeast OF Chanute, recently
shot and killed his daughter, Lena, Al
years old; probably fatally wounded
Dan Miles. neighbor, who ran to the
scene; burned his farm buildings and
was himself wounded probably fatal
ly in running fight with a posse.
Becker killed his daughter because
he believed she was trying to gain
possession of his property, an applica-
ton having been filed for the appoint
ment of a guardian for him. The
hearing was to have been held the
next morning before the probate
judge of Allen county.
Miss Becker was cleaning a motor
car when her father appeared in a
door of the garage, armed with a.shot-
gun. She fed and he shot her in the
back Paul Ditmer, Is years old, of
Independence, Kas., who was in the
car, fed to field and summoned John
Becker, the woman's brother, who ran
to the garage Becker fired at his
son, who fell to the ground, feigning
injury. The younger Becker then fed.
Seeking the cover of a dense hedge,
Becker engaged the posse. The shot
gun he carried was 12-gauge weapon
and he had a box of shells containing
buckshot. One Of the posse members
was slightly wounded before Jesse
Bennett, a deputy fish and game war
den, shot Becker in the head with
rifle. The aged man also was wound
ed slightly in the legs and body.
X
Pastor Dies Suddenly-An attack of
heart disease was fatal to Rev. Den
mis- R. Steiner, pastor of the First Con-
gregational church and treasurer OF
the township of Olathe. Death oc-
Cured on Mr.. Steiner's farm. Par
sons Retreat" three miles northwest
of Olathe, where he conducted dairy.
Voted High School Bonds-An cleo
ton swas held at Harper recently to
vote $4,000 worth of bonds to build
bonds carried, 215 to 3. Less than
half the vote of the city was cast.
Work on the new building will begin
this summer.
Mcpherson Pioneer Dead.-S. NJ
Law, 65 years old and a pioneer Of
Mcpherson county, is dead at his
home in Mcpherson.
x x
GreenS Bugs FIying.-Millfons Of
green bugs that have infested the
wheat fields and oat fields in the
southwest Kansas since early spring
are flying. The hot weather of the
last week has driven the pests into
the open. They 90 not last long after
they begin TO fly.
X X X
Fish Hatchery Threatened.-State
Fish Warden Tegmeier and force Of
men worked all night and day in an
effort to save the state fish hatchery
at Pratt from the rising waters of the
Minnesota River. Several leyees along
the Saratoga Millrace, which supplies
the hatchery, and the Bell Hunter and
Travis lakes, have given away.
! Retired Farmer Dead-John Kane,
a retired farmer, a resident of Mar
shall county since 1870, died recently
on the way home from MarysvilIe. He
was "A years old.
Town Went VIsitIng-The popula-
| ton OF Quinter, town in Cove Coun-
ty, forty miles west of Hays, moved
bodily to Hays in community motor
run to visit the state normal school
and agricultural experiment station
there. The eighty-six cars that made
the run conveyed $40 persons.
Pharmacy Inspector Dies.-G. r
Holman OF Ellsworth, Kas.. chief In
spector for thu Kansas state board Of
pharmacy, died at Wichita following
an operation for intestinal troub4s
Burial was At Ellsworth.