The Dickinson press., 1917-05-26
JEALOUSY IS
MOTIVE FOR
BLOODY ACT
ADOLPH LEHMAN TAKES LIFE
OF MATTHIAS WETZSTEIN
AT RICHARDTON,

, Va MIA Au1AO WElZSlElN
AT RICHARDTON.
Slayer Shoots Down Victim in Home
of Observation-Disclosures That
He Feared for Own Life.
Grim tragedy stalked abroad in
Stark county for the second time in
recent weeks on Sunday, Richardton
Delng scene of crime, and as result
Matthias Wetzstein is dead, and
Adolph Lehman, slayer, is prisoner
IN Stark county Jail, facing a charge
OF murder. Shot down in the home
OF his mother-in-lw, whittier he had
been pursued by Lehman, Wetzstein
passed away an hour and quarter
later. The slayer mounted his horse
and galloped madly to Taylor, where he
surrendered to Marshal Henry Hecht,
and later in the evening was brought
to this city.
Fear and jealousy are the out
standing motives assigned for the
deed. Lehman declares that his life
curing recent months has been a con-
slant inferno, his existence one of
ever-present fear of Wetzstein, who,
he asserts, had threatened to "get"
him at the first favorable opportun-
|lty. Trouble between the two men,
tanned into blood lust, is said to have
developed over a woman, the wife of
Wetzsteln and at one time housekeep-
er Tor Lehmann-a woman nearly a
score of years the elder of the SLAYER
or his victim.
Killed at Darling Home.
Shooting of Wetzstein took place
at the home of his mother-in-aw Mrs.
Dora Darling, in the eastern outskirts
OF Richardton, about $3.50 Sunday
afternoon. Wetzstein arrived in
Richardton on No. 2 from Dickinson.
where he had been visiting his wife.
ill in the local hospital for the past
two weeks. He left the station short
~ after his arrival in town for the
Darling home, to bring news to the
mother of her daughters condition.
Lehman declares he arrived in
Richardton just after the arrival of
No. 2, and decided to 20 to the home
Of Mrs. Darling to ask as to her
daughters condition. He declares
that he had no idea that Wetzstein
would be there, as he believed him to
be in Dickinson.
He tied his horse at the barn,
about ten rods distant from the house.
to the west, and stepped inside for a
moment. "a-..2s:
Wetzstein, meanwhile, had gone to-
the house, and after short talk with
his mother-in-law, started for the e1iv-
cry stable, it being necessary for him
to pass the barn on his way THERE.
Fires at Fleeing Man, rs;,4r
AS he reached the door Of the
barn, Lehman emerged, afidy Accord
ing to his statement, both men uWere- =
struck speechless for moment J9N tha,,
sudden meeting. Then words Were.
exchanged, and Wetzstein,,; wheeled
and dashed for the house, Lehman in,
pursuit. One shot, it is alleged, was,
fired at the fleeing man, who plunged
into the house, and ran into the bed
room. Telling Mrs. Darling that Leh-
mann was after him, and intended
killing him, he declares in his state
ment, he braced his body against the
bedroom door.
Declaration of Mrs. Darling, who
was alone in the home, is that Leh-
mann followed and burst into the
dwelling. There he was met by Mrs.
Darling.
"My God, man, are you crazy?"
she screamed. "There'll be no killing
in this house. III call the marshal
and the neighbors."
Forces Door and Stays.
Lehman then started from the
house, and Mrs. Darling partially
emerged from the bedroom. Then
Lehman returned, and started firing.
First bullet from his gun, .38 Colts
automatic, clipped the little finger
from the left hand of his victim, who
was braced against the door. The
finger and encircling ring was shot
clean from the hand, and fell in the
middle of the floor. Four more shots
through the door failed to take effect.
Then the slayer forced his way into
the room where Wetzstein and Mrs.
Darling were standing, and fired one
shot, the bullet blowing its way
through the body Of Wetzstein, about
three inches above the navel.
Then Lehman plunged through
window, shattering glass and break
ing the screen, and dashed to the
barn, where his horse was tied. He
galloped down the main street of
Richardton and on to Taylor, where
he presented himself before Marshal
Hecht, and asked to be taken to Dick
inson.
Gives Dying Statement.
| Mrs. Darling, Immediately after
the shooting, ran screaming from
home, and in a few moments assist
ance reached the scene. DR.. Crossette
was summoned, but Wetzstein's life
was fast ebbing away when he ar
rived and shortly before 6 o'clock
death came. Wetzstein gave dying
statement, which was copied by
Charles Hill, relating incidents Of the
few moments preceding the shooting,
and describing the final attack Of
Lehmahn and the shooting in the
house. He asserted, contrary to Leh-
: Continued on page 81