The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-10-11
old FAMILY FEUD
CAUSE OF KILLING

John s. Winters, who was sho
through the neck and body yesterda,
by Erne Parus, died almost instantly
according TO the report of Sheriff Har
ris, who returned from the ranch thi
morning, says the Elko Free Press
having in charge Mr.. Parus, who I.
now confined in the county Jail.
According to the officers story, VIII
arrived on the scene but short tim
after the shooting, which took plac,
at 1890, Parus went to the Winte
ranch. which adjoins the Parus farm
and was told by Mrs. Winters that he
husband and two sons, aged IL ant
II, had gone up into the hills fol
some beef cattle, and that she ex
pected them home at any time. Mr.
Parus told her he would go up and
meet them, and started in the direc.
ton of the hills, but saw them coming
in and waited for their arrival.
He met Mr.. Winter, according tc
the story of the two boys who were
the only eye witnesses, and the two
men had long conversation, while
the boys worked the cattle in the cor
raj. They evidently had arrived at a
decision. as they both started for the
corral. when Mr.. Winter turned his
horse and started to cross a bridge to
go to the house. Mr.. Parus forced his
horse in front and told Winter that
he had to help him get certain cali
out Of the corral, and the next mo-
ment Parus had drawn his gun and
opened fire, the first bullet striking
him in the chest and passing through
his body. Winters horse reared and
turned towards the corral. PASSING
around the blacksmith shop. with
Parus in pursuit. and firing his gun
until he had shot five times. Anothe'
bullet struck Winter in the neck
passing through and coming out un-
der the jaw Another bullet struck
the horse, while two missed.
When the horse reached the corral
Winter fell to the ground and his eld-
est son ran to him and taking his head
in his lap asked him where he was
hurt, but he was unconscious and died
in the boys arms.
Parus Immediately rode to his home
and told his mother what he had
done. and began to make preparations
TO come to Elko to give himself NJ
TO the officers. He saddled his horse
and had gotten some distance from
the house. taking a short cut to the
road. when he saw car drive up to
the house. He turned and rode back
and found Deputy Sheriff Amos
Roach, who placed him under arrest
Mr.. Roach, while on his way from
Elko, met messenger from
the Winter ranch who was on his way
to Deep Creek. as the telephone was
not in working order at the ranch.
According to report the shooting
is the elimination of an old family
feud Of long standing. and dates back
to the parents over the water rights
both ranches getting their water from
the same stream flowing out of the
canyon back of the farms. Members
of the families have come to blows and
there has been suits in the courts
There has been no intercourse be-
tween the two families for years. and
but recently reports of doctored
brands reached the ears cf Mr.. Parus
who resented them.
On the arrival of Sheriff Harris who
was on his way to the Winter ranch
to look into the matter of the brands
being changed on the calf. complaint
having been made by Mr.. Winter to
the officers. he found the body had
been moved into the house but still
dressed, and no gun was found in his
nockets. The family declare that :.
Winter had no gun that morning and
was unarmed. Mr.. Parus in telling
his story. said that after their conver-
sation at the small bridge, when Mr..
Winter told him 10 take the calf. they
started to the corral. when WINTER
suddenly turned to go TO the house.
Parus blocked his way and demande
that he help him get the calf, when
Winter put his hand in his chaps
pocket. II naturally thought he was
going after his gun" said Parus. land
drew and opened fire"
The coroner's jury returned the fol
lowing verdict: THAT John S. Win
ter came to his death at the hands OF
Erne Parus, by being shot with
pistol" The sheriff arrived this
morning at three o'clock with his
prisoner, and the preliminary hearing
will be held in the next few days.
Both families are pioneers of Elkc