Milford chronicle., 1924-08-22
FARMER SLAIN BY
NEGRO ENTERING
POULTRY HOUSE
Christian Christensen, Living Near
Houston, Shot Through Heart
While Protecting Property.
two NEGROES ARRESTED
Alleged Slayer Is Still At Large,
Having Slipped Through Lines
Surrounding Woods.

Christian Christensen, aged SIS
years, a prominent poultryman and
farmer residing between Milford and
Houston is dead, following a shoot
ing affray at his poultry houses on
| Tuesday night. For some time past
! thieves have been stealing chickens
from Christensen and he has made
it custom in recent weeks of sleep
ing at the poultry houses each night.
Several weeks ago he surprised two
white men attempting to steal chick
ems, and shot at them. One of the
suspects was arrested and held un-
der bail for court; the other never
was arrested.
About $3.50 o'clock Tuesday even
ing, George Christensen, son of the
slain man, heard shooting and saw
flashes from a gun at the chicken
houses. He got his automobile and
with Frank Emory, employee, went
to the place where his father was
guarding his property. Arriving
there they found the man dead, hav-
ing been shot through the arm and
heart. DR.. William Marshall, of Mil
ford, was called to the scene of the
shooting, and said that the man had
been instantly killed. Mr.. Christen-
sen was very deaf and several theOr-
les were advanced as to just how
his murderer stole up on him. EX-
animation of the vicinity of the poul-
try houses on Wednesday morning
suggested a possible manner in
which it had happened. About ten
feet in front of the doorway in which
the dead man was found, two tres
sles were standing. On one of them
was a fertilizer sack. Both the
benches and the bag had been pep
pered with shot from gun. A piece
Of overalls had been shot from the
leg of the clothing worn by the muir
ierer. Christensen, when found was
aging fiat of his back, with his feet
resting on the door sill to the poul-
.ry house. His head was near the
ressle benches. Across his chest,
With the trigger tightly clasped, was
lis double barreled shot gun. One
hell had been fired. Neighbors in
he vicinity heard a shot gun shot,
by two pistol shots. 1t is
bought that when the murderer at
empted to enter the house Christen-
en- fired at him. The intruder then
red and killed him.
Suspicion early Wednesday morn
lg was directed against former sus-
ects with whom Christensen had
ad trouble in the past. State Police
ficers McWilliams, BOnifaninO and
ngram, together with Sheriff Bull
1ck of Kent county, and State De-
ectives Wharton and Donoway ar
wed on the scene Wednesday morn
lg and started an investigation. Bob
eterson, colored, and a negro
nown as Bud" both of whom are
orking at the Stetson & Ellison
lctOry in Houston, were interview
/ and they told a tale substantially
5 follows: The two negroes, in COM
any with Julius Evans, alias
Duke" started down the railroad
ack toward Milford, and when near
le Christensen poultry house
Duke" told them to stay there and
! would get the liquor" Shortly
terward they heard firing and be-
ming frightened returned to their
lack at the factory. Duke" return
some time later. With this story,
e officers set out to find Duke"
It he had got wind of the search
Id had left the factory.
Sheriff Bullock and men with him
w the negro as he attempted to
ter a woods and gave chase. Sew
al shots were fired; but he escap-
from them. Some time after that
crossed the railroad. stopping to
k with the section gang who did
t know that the negro was hunt
Wednesday afternoon a posse of
Jeral hundred farmers surrounded
! woods. The place was closely
arded. Late in the afternoon a
all boy working in a field near the
ods saw the negro attempt to
CONTINUED on page 10)