The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-12-27
MANDAN KILLER
/. PUT THERE FOR
SAFE KEEPING
Preliminary Hearing For Man
Who Shot Police Chief
Not Yet Called
INQUEST HELD TO-DAY
Funeral Services For Victim
Held at Mandan Today, at
jamestown Tuesday
INQUEST HELD TODAY

Arnold Thiele of Mandan, who
shot and instantly killed Nels H.
Romer, chief of police ut ManIun,
shortly after noon en- Christmas
day in the Thiele home, is in q cell
in the state penitentiary here to-
day, while in Mandan this after
noon all business activity halted
from 80 to 3 o'clock and the citi-
zens Of the Morton county seat
joined in paying their last respects
to a highly respected citizen who
met instant death in the perform
ance Of his duty.
Thlelc was brought to the peni-
tentiary about $3.50 Saturday aft
ernoon by Sheriff Charles McDon-
aid, who feared violence. Groups
are reported to have gathered in
various places about Mandan to
discuss the murder, and Mcdonald
believed it safer to have his pris-
oner behind the prison walls.
Governor A. G. Sor'ie received
several calls from Mandan during
the afternoon and early evening.
requesting that protection be sent
to that point because Of tho possi-
bility of lynching, but inasmuch
as no request was received from
local Officials. who seemed t, be
coming with the situation success
fully, no action was taken.
Coroner Holds Inquest
cOrcner's inquest was held
this morning under the direction M
Cor3ner j. X, Kennedy, with
George Ford, Paul Miller ard II.
w. Schmidt as members Of the
jury. After hearing the testimony
of witnesses from 10 a. m., until
1890 p. m., the jury returned
verdict stating that ARNOLD Thielc,
armed with 80 calibre automatic
revolver loaded, shot Chief Of Po-
lice Nels Romer three times. cree
in the left temple and twice
through the body. That Thiele in
flicted mortal wounds from the eff
fects Of which Romer died instant
ly, and that Thiele committed the
act unlawfully and feloniously."
Ten witnesses, including the
wife Of the murderer, were ques-
toned this forenoon by States At
torney c. r. Kelsch and his assist
ant, NJ. J. Higgins, but it is net
likely that Thiele will be given
preliminary arraignment today.
Called to investigate family
quarrel, Romer was shot to death
by Thiele, travelling salesman,
when he entered the door Of the
Thiele home in Mandan at 1890
on Christmas day.
Captured BY Sheriff
Thiele, leaving the house, walked
toward the downtown district with
the death pistol still in his hand.
He was captured by Sheriff
Charles Mcdonald at the postof-
flee corner shortly before | o'clock
and taken to the county Jail. At
$500, Mandan time. fearing viO-
lence, Mcdonald removed the mur-
derer to the state penitentiary.
The shooting was the outcome
Of family quarrel in which Mrs.
Thiele and four children had been
chased from the home. Chief
Romer was called by neighbor
and had entered the house un-
armed.
Funeral Held Today
Funeral services for Mr.. Romcr
were held this afternoon at ls"H
from the Palace theatre. Past ex-
alted rulers of Mandan lodge No
! 256, B. p. @. Elks, conducted the
ritualistic services for the deceased
who served as head of the local lodge
| in lO24-1925. Reverend G. w. Ste
wart preached the sermon and DR.
S. f. Halfyard gave tho prayers.
From 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon
until noon today the body lay in state
Continued on page five.)