The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-07-18
TOM GUTHRIE KILLED
Former Decatur County Farmer Was
Shot by Son-in.ldw Arthur fp-
perley in Wyoming July 4.

Thomas J.. Guthrie, former vel
left here few months ago and To-
Gated in Wyoming, was shot and in
stantly killed on the morning o.
July 4th, by his son-in-law,. Arthur
Epperley, also former resident Of
Decatur county. Arthur EpperIey
of Leon, was always regarded as q
one who would kill a man except in
self defense, and the account of the
tragedy shows that he acted in sell
defense, and the coroner's jury sc
found, and he was !,: released Of any .
county Guthrie had the reputation
of being man with an ugly temper,
and when enraged did not hesitate
to use force. Arthur Epperley mar
ried Mr.. Guthrie's daughter Cecil,
and moved to Wyoming when the
Guthrie family left. A letter from
says that none Of the family blame
Arthur in any way as he was com
PEELED to shoot in defense of the
lives of himself and wife. Guthrie
resided on a farm in Eden township
for number of years, selling out
a year ago last spring, and last year
he resided on Ira B. Officer farm
north of Leon.
edy ns IS 9omg taken from aaGou the eh Dc peugas ss
Wyoming, Budget of July 11th:
Thomas J. Guthrie, living on Box
creek, about twenty-seven miles
atadtv RerR of kd GggaS G Tas shot %arnna and n
July 4th by his son-in-law, Arthur
Epperley. The shooting occurred
near the Epperley home, following a
quarrel, and was done in self de-
fense
Epperley, who is married to Guth-
bss dasg9teF owed Tbepe sG@e money yd
pute regarding the debt, but a set
'tlement dragged, made more diff
cult by Guthrie'S unnatural attitude
toward Mrs. Epperley On the
morning of the 4th Guthrie, who
lives about a mile from Epperley,
came over to where the latter was
Guthrie was accompanied by his 12-
year-old son, Frank, and carried
rifle. He was looking for his horses,
he said, and in talking with Epper-
ley brought up the matter of the de-
layed settlement. Epperley told him
when Guthrie said he could get no
piled that he could if it had not been
for his insulting actions toward her.
Guthrie then raised his gun, declar-
ing his intention Of killing Epperley,
who struck his father-in-law with
the spade he was using. A struggle
men. Mrs. Epperley, watching the
struggle from the house, came to
the assistance of her husband, bring
ing along gun that was in the
house.
Guthrie, who was an exceptional
ly big strong man, was getting the
better Of the fSa ght haTng Is EEpper11ey Eppper1ey
by the hair and throwing her down.
In some manner, however, Epperley
secured possession of the shotgun
and fired.
The charge struck Guthrie on the
left side of the head, tearing away
him instantly.
to sheriff Messenger, telling what
he had done. The sheriff with Cor
oner Holman, went out to the scene
of the tragedy, taking Epperley in
to custody and the coroner taking
charge OF the body. co.onor
Holman empanelled jury consist
ing of Luther Freeman, Charles Gil
bert. and Thomas F. Doyle and an
inquest was held. Assistant County
Attorney Garst, representing the
state. The witnesses of the shooting
and other members of the Guthrie
family were examined and the facts
as above abduced. The jury return
ed a verdict that Epperley acted in
self defense.
Guthrie had not long been resi-
dent here, coming with his family
from Iowa. His two sons-in-law had
homesteads adjoining that of their
father-in-law, Mrs. Epperley, it is
said, being a stepdaughter. Guthrie
was Al years of age. He is survived
by wife and number of children
besides the two married daughters.
Year Books of the U. S. Department