New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1921-01-26
WOODMAN SLAIN
BY HIS BROTHER
WILLIAM KUZMEN, 20, RUSSIAN
WORKMAN, MURDERED IN
LONELY SHANTY.
SLAYER CONFESSES DEED AND
ESCAPES INTO TIMBER.
STILL AT LARGE.

William Kuzmen, 20, Russian
workman living seven miles from here
in Lake Prairie township, was shot AND
killed by his brother, John, Kuzmen
Al, early Saturday, following a quarre
the pair are reported to have had in
the little shack on the bluff which they
had called their home, says the St
Peter Free Press
Following his crime the murderel
went to the farm home of Joseph Fay
neighbor; reported that he had killed
his brother; that he supposed he'd be
arrested; that he didn't know the gun
was loaded; and that he was "going
west"
Murderer Disappears.
After which he calmly did Ego west
He remained about the Fay farmstead
for half an hour according to testimony
given the coroner's jury then walked
off down the road toward the scene
of the murder. He is believed to have
escaped in the nearby woods. Up to
last night heFhad not been found.
A sheliff's posse was sent out in
search of 'the man within less than
two hours after the crime was COM
mitted. The country for radius of
several miles about the shack was
secured, but no clue returned. The
only light throw on the affair was
given in the testimony of George
Chouinard who lives but quar- te4
of mile from the Kuzmen shanty.
The murdered man had come to Mr.
Chouniard's home shortly before 9
o'clock Saturday morning to ask if
he might stay there during the re-
mainder of the winter.
B other Was Crouchy.
I'm tired Of living with my brother.
He's getting too grouchy. I'm going
to leave him. the victim told Mr..
Chouinard. He asked Chouinard to
go home with him to get his clothes.
Together they hitched a horse to a
cutter, and drove to the shack Mr.
Chouinard remained at the bottom of
the bluff with his horse while Kuzmen
climbed the hill to the shanty.
According to Chouinard the quarrel
began as soon as the younger brother
entered the place. There was loud
talking and wrangling, but all in the
Russian tongue. Finally there was
the command, in perfect, ringing
English, to ''get out. .
Companion Heard Shot.
This was complied with. The
younger brother stepped outside the
door, loo ed about moment, turned
suddenly, and re-entered the house.
The argument was at once resumed,
and almost Immediately Chouinard,
waiting by his horse at the foot of the
bluff, heard the crack of the AZ caliber
rife which caused the death, and the
thump of the body as it fell to the floor.
He hurried to his home and notified
Sheriff Charles Norman of the crimc.
With County Attorney George T.
Olsen, Coroner G. A. Merritt and
Deputy Coroner Charles H. Kackson,
he went to the scene of the murder
and dispatched posse in search of the
slayer.
Claims Killing Accidental.
In his testimony before the coroner's
jury Mr.. Fay declared that in over,
taking Kuzmen, on his way to the Fay
home, he hailed him with: "You're
just the fellow I'm looking for; want
you to help me split wood next week
kuzmen was unresponsive on the wooo
question and replied, give got some.
thing to tell you. l killed my brother
but didn't know the rifle was loaded
| didn't want to kill him. y
Fay was surprised, and before he
could answer, the slayer, wringing his
hands, queried, Il suppose you'll arrest
me now?" and then added, 'sGuess I'll
run away"
AS they reached the Fay farmyard
Mr.. Fay tied the team and went to the
house to telephone neighbors of the
crime. Kuzmen remained in the
sleigh. In few moments Charles
Stark and Henry Guertin walked into
the yard and into the house. They
were informed of the crime that had
been committed. Later, walking over
to the sleigh in which Kuzmen was
standing, they said: $50 your brother
is gomez Kuzmen is said to have then
repeated what he told Fay, that he
didn't mean to kill his brother, and
that he didn't know the rifle was
loaded.
Last Seen of Slayer.
William Martin, who was with Mr..
Fay in the sleigh when they overlook
him on their way home, is the last per-
son who is known to have spoken to
Kuzmen. After the other men had
left the sleigh, the confessed murder
er warned Mr.. Martin: Don't tell
anyone about this. This is the last
Won will see of me- Tn on;nrt u,oet ,,