The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1920-04-24
SEVEN-F0LD KILLING SHR0UDED IN MYSTERY;
VICTIMS WELL KNOWN AND NOT BELIEVED .
TO HAVE ANY ENEMIES IN NEIGHB0RH00D
Jacob Wolff, Prosperous Farmer Four Miles from
Town Found Shot by John Kraft, Neighbor.
Five Corpses Found in Cellar and Two in Barn.
Sheriff Ole H. Stefferud of Washburn on Way
to Bismarck Turned Back to Investigate
YEAR OLD GIRL ONLY ESCAPES DEATH

Completely srouded mystery bodies of Jacob Wolff
farm miles north Of Turtle Lake. discovered by
Kraft neghbor All of the dead had been killed by shotgun
When Kraft approached the house he found everything quiet
He entered the barn and Mortified the bodies Of Mr.
Wolff one of his daughters lying floor blood coed
about several wounds the head and bodies and eating from
BODIES IN HUDDLED HEAP
Missing the rest Of the family Kraft rushed into the farm
house. No could be found of the but
Mrs. Wolff the other three children and the farm hand all lying
in huddled heap their bodies cold '1.
No evidence Of any struggle could be found reported
and Wolff is known have enemies the sherffs Of
flee unable offer for the sevenfod murder 1t
from the shells scattered around the and barn.
indicating that large number of shots had been fired
"s.-.. LITTLE TOT ESCAPES
The only member the family that escaped the murderer
fire the youngest girl just past her first birthday The little
tot almost famshed andn weakened condition indicating
the murders had been committed at least "a hours before the
= BODIES IN TERRIBLE CONDITION
One of the horrible features of the discovery Of the kill
g the terrible condition Of the bodies of Mr. Wolff and his
daughter which had been by the barn which
were Immediately taken where the other five cold
forms placed the floor side by side awaiting the arrival
Of the county physician and members OF the sher
FAIL TO GIVE DETAILS
Early reports Turtle Lake fail give details regard
finding the bodies other than those related above and
mystery of the most startling and npenerabe ever re-
authorities Lake. said that the people
by who made their without
leaving any clue so lar dlScOVereQ
Inasmuch the Wolff farm is less surrounded by
her farm homes is difficult to understand why neghbors
hear the many shots which there evidence fired
Kraft according his story had noticed Friday that the Wolff
washing waA the line and this morning when he passed near
the place, he the washing still hanging out.
This aroused Kra curiosity and he went to the front door
house. Curiosity suspicion and when ne heard
grunt from hogs the barn. Kraft turned from the
farm house and opened the barn door.
horrible sight Krafts eyes, Not only the dead
his friend Wolff stretched the floor with the dead
mans young daughters body close by but two three pigs their
with blood Of the dead father and daughter were
feeding from the dead bodies Kraft horror STRICKEN chased the
covered the badly muated bodies and removed
them to the farm house.
Wolff was about years of age and exceedingly we'll
liked by neghbors and friends in Turtle Lake. He last
alive Thursday morning by neighbQ 1T is said 1t be-
eved rghu committed Thursday night early
Friday morning Wolff we'll to do and not particularly
active in politics. friends at Turtle Lake state.
The children all but who were killed. ranged in from
2 years to year DID, The youngest for unaccountabe
reason the sole survivor Of the entire family of six
States Attorney Williams and Sheriff Ole H. Stefferud left
Bismarck before the shooting discovered
Upon learning the facts they proceeded to Turtle Lake. Sheriff
WEIGH and Chris Marnson chief police accompanied them