East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-02-24
HARRY SAlkI<5
SAID TO HAVE.
CONFESSED ACT.
Murder of Omar OIinger Ad-
mitted by Boy Now in Gus
tOdy, Says Report Today.
.STOREKEEPER SHOT
FOLLOWING QUARREL
Evidence Of Robbery Found
By Those Who In
vestigated.

There is a report an circulation here
today that Harry Samuels, the 19-
year-old boy, who has been in the GUS
tody of Sheriff II. ID. TaylOr since sat
urday has confessed that he killed
Omar OIinger. the store keeper near
the tanks south of Milton. who was
found murdered last Friday. The evil
dence is known to be very strong
against the boy. Sheriff Taylor and
Deputy BIalSeIy went to Milton this
morning to investigate a few things
that remain to be cleared up in COLI
nection with the case. According to
reports in circulation and which APP
pear well founded though not official
Iy confirmed SamueIs claims that he
killed Olinger during quarrel.
The body of the murdered man was
brought to Milton Saturday afternoon
from the Olinger store near Tanks
and an inquest held there the same
evening. The jury returned a verdict
that Olinger came to his death from
a gunshot wound in the back fired by
an unknown hand"
Last Seen Wednesday.
Mr.. Olinger was working with a
neighbor, A. C. Sprague Wednesday.
cutting wood. They quit work about
s.sescl0ek that afternoon, Mr.. olinger
going to the store. where he livedt
alone. They were expecting to work
together the following day. but when
Mr.. Olinger failed to come Mr..
Sprague did not think much of it. as
the day was threatening He tried to
call the store on the phone but failed
to get a reply. Trying again the next
day. Friday, and not getting an ans
wer. he then got the Stark brothers,
who also live near and the three of
them went to the store, and after
the premises found the
body.
Dead Man Robbed,
The body was found by Conny
Stark. 1t was buried in a pile of
being covered with but a few
inches of old straw and refuse. Moth
ing whatever was found on the body
except an old handkerchief and few
matches A heavy silver open face
which he carried was missing,
Any money that may have been on
the body was also missing. How much
ms GOuAG ht - itOA hAlbMAA- "a HeNNNAA
and knife which has been found with
Samuels and which it is reported he
attempted to hide, are thought to
have belonged to the dead man.
They. however, have not yet been
positively identified,
Samuels There Wednesday,.
Samuels was on the mountain near
ho Tanks Tuesday and Wednesday.
During that time he is said to have left
his horse in Mr.. Olinger's barn. Tues
day night he stayed with the Stark
brothers and was at their home dur
ng the forenoon. Wednesday, and ate
Inner with them.
According to the Stark brothers.
left their place about $3.50
hat afternoon, going toward the store.
He had left his horse in the Olinger
harm He was understood to be go
ing by the store after his horse and
on home to Milton. He is said to
have reached home about 10 o'clock
that night.
shot from Rifle.
Examination of the body showed
that the bullet which caused Olinger's
death was undoubtedly fired from a
rifle. 1t hit the man in the middle
o. the back. and ranged upward
through the body. coming out near
the throat. It is thought the shoot
ing occurred Wednesday afternoon or
evening.
J. +. Olinger, brother of the mur>
dered man, who lives at Milton. after
the esarch of the store. was unable to
say whether or not any money was
taken. The sack of change which it
had been Mr.. OHnger's custom to hide
after taking it from the cash register
was found where it had evidently been
left by Mr.. Olinger.
Is Milton Boy.
Harry Samuels. the boy who is he
ing held by the sheriff for inyestiga-
ton. is the son of Mr., and Mrs. Henry
Samuels, "a highly respected family OF
Milton. They have been residents OF
Milton and the Walla Walla valley for
many years and the boy has spent
] ract 'cully his entire life there. MIR.
s'amuels. father of the boy. is in PEN
dleton today and has been i'm consul
tation with his son.
Funeral services were held over the
body of the murdered man yesterday
afternoon at Miltn. The services were
held in the Presbyterian church. a
large circle Of friends and sympathiz-
ers being present. and the Rev. Allen
MeRae officiating,