Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-05-08

here lUu1g III NSAeteAAe " PONNN
late last night by Sheriff w. I.
Iesse Mullinix, 40, in the county
ali since March 25-the night on
shicb Mr.. Steiger was shot and SER
,orslv wounded when he came from
the barn on his farm after milking
furuished details to the grand jury in
confession that resulted in Mrs.
Steigers arrest as an accomplice, it
was announced by the district attor-
new this morning. Mullinix was ar
rested for the shooting of Steiger, ar
raigned, and bound over to the grand
Jury under $4,000 bond.
Plot To Kill Told.
According to MulIinix's story to the
grand Jury, Mrs. Steiger plotted and
MANNED the killing of her husband
for more than year back. Mullinix
said that it was their plan to kill the
wealthy farmer. and she, as his wife
and only heir, would then share So
80 in the possession of his estate that
is estimated at $4,000.
Last March, according to Mr.. Gehl-
har Mrs. Steiger paid Mullinix s100I
to kill her husband, or hire a gum
man to "do the trick" Mrs Steiger
about the middle of March, left for
Eugene to visit a brother where she
was to stay until the killing was done.
Twenty of the 500 was given to her
for transportation to Eugene by Null
link, according to his confession.
Gunman Sought
Mullinix ir his statement to the
grand jury, went to Portland I'M
search of gunman to do the kill
ing. Fearing that if he would take
another into his confidence it might
become generally known, he returned
to Salem, determined to do the kill
ing himself.
Twice he went to the Steiger farm
bent on murder. The first trip, he
claims, he saw a gang of men work.
ing on railroad nearby, and he
changed his mind. The second time he
went to the farm he passed the house
along the highway, but could not
muster enough courage to shoot
Steiger.
Tells OF Shooting.
In detail he related how he went
TO the farm on the night of March
70 ana met Steiger as he came from
'ne barn. He told how he fired the
snots, then fled. believing that he
had Killed the farmer. When Mr..
s'elger screamed in pain, Mrs. SteigerI
70 carry out her part in the grusome
orama, went to his assistance, it be-
nls lne plan to waive all suspicion
from her.
Muillnlx told how he was discharg-
"a IN August 1918 by Steiger. Mrs.
s'eiser, the night of his being dis
charged, warned him, his confession
, ,unS' mat Steiger had threatened to
Hll am II he ever returned to the
arm Mullinix had been emploved
stock. 'e"u " the
a. Gun Is Found.
Ohly one clue has bean n,;s.;, .
udt would hinge the crime ioiptIv
y" MIS- Steiger, authorities said TO-
s, ana That was the loss of the re-
,1r that Tired the shots. Sunday
i creek, flowing through Salem.
as ufaihed and the revolver-one
aa' had belonged to Mrs. Steiger-l
"ss round lying in the muddy botton,
tbno. .e Malllnix said that he had
ing e"' VI the shoot-
ana os. was not seriously wounded.
n,ta, ai'er three weeks in a local hos.
81 to his farm. '"i"
,,s since August, 1918. when Mull;nix
toao, so ulscharged, he states In his CON
bo,a ', MRS. Steiger and he have
sim nequent and numerous elande-
Sta,. siSlts On several occasions Mrs
wo ,e'ser went to Mullinix's sbaot ~
tmes salem. More than a dozen
he sna ne admitted to the grand iurv
local .a "rs steiger had registered in
and ,,;s ;sSoiulhg houses as ~. Smith |
tops,hae %,ie Portland" and had STAYED
planu,,ix ,,illix lays all blame for tho
He said VI VI 'ne crime on Mrs. Steiger.
love a for s ,nat he believed the woman,s
authorit,.n niii prompted it, and he told
hama" mat he was glad TO have
Of the MI ~ getting the old man out
sis,.lc packet of letters writtan h., A.,
Needbam Iruiiihix miiihix is held by Sheriff
10 him w.. ierlns she used in them
Mrs sto, teIe most endearing.
sensations tiisers arrest and MulIinix,s
estinp a,',s confession recalls inter-
critics t,videnee unearthed bv sntb 4
Ing. Tn" immediately after tha shot
on me me piece of blue onnn snoot
Creek, Wi. Ohurch street, near Mini
that shot hihe cartridges the siza
was said steiger scattered nearby
% have ny Mnllinix in his confession
longing 70 een ~ torn from an apron he
the apron n MRS steiger. The rest ~
shack ~ a." was was found in Nr,,,,,s,.,a ~
after ~ On Shipping street Muliinlxs
n, ue shooting ' a rev days
aarried s ~ Mrs steiger have besn
critics eon,s years, and SO far as suta
',e past year. "i'noniousiy
Mrs ,ed stsia by Mrs. steiger
. Needbam "a statement to sher-
Win MaIn., M, denies any associat,on
his story Sn& e' and every portion Of
BE Smith one ne states that the 81 cali
Question w,a a"u Wesson revolver in |
a.saler in 10 is, sold BY her to a salem |
IDENTIFY isis She also refuses ~
srsek as ne ,h weapon found in mnl
her = 'he one fornerly :" 'iiil
Aullinir
s'elger have s hs that he and Mrs.
saeh month Dsen @ meeting about twice |
Ing at a s.,e since August 1918. stay-
sssisterinv n a rooming house ana |
hey slso = ar and Mrs. ]. Smith |
aalliais.s spent several nights At