The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1946-06-20
Two Victims
Of Shooting
Coroner's Jury Finds
Death of Anna Rupe
Result Of Shooting

Wednesday, a cOrOner'S jury in
quired into the deaths of Mrs
Charles Rupe, nee Anna May,
%, and her father in law, H. w.
Rupe, 81, who died Monday of
gunshot wounds.
Testimony at the inquest and
interviews with County Attorney
Bert w. Kronmiller and Sheriff
Roy G.. Riley revealed that Mrs.
Rupe was shot about 1870 a.. m.
Monday in the midst of a con-
versation with her father-in-
law. Rupe, who did the shooting,
apparently ecam e enraged
when Mrs. Rupe asked him to
take his 13-year-old daughter
to Billings for medical treat
ment.
It was brought out that Mrs.
Rupe had driven to the H. w.
Rupe home about a mile south
east of Hardin to ash the girls
parents to make the trip. Mrs.
Anna Rupe had been caring for
Aylene for some time.
Mrs. H. w. Rupe allegedly
stated that she felt unable to
make the trip. The shooting vic
tim then turned to her father
in-law, to whom she was talk
ing through the screen door,
and made the same request of
him. Officers said he turned
without answering her, went
into the bedroom, got his 12-
gauge Remington shotgun and
discharged it THROUGH the door
at short range. The shot en-
tered Mrs. Anna RUPEES body
just above the heart and she
died instantly. Mrs. H. w. Rupe
was eye witness to the tragedy.
Rupe then took his 20 rifle
and, after writing a note, start
ed toward the Big Horn river
south of the house. His body
was found about 2:3O p. m
Monday. A % bullet had been
discharged through his head.
The body was first located by
Ray Zelk3. whu. was searching
the area in his light plane.
Testimony at the inquest fndi-
Gated that there had been no
previous friction between Rupe
and his daughter -in-law.
It was also brought out that
there was insanity in his fam
lily.
The verdicts of the coroner's
jury read as follows: THAT An
ma May Rupe came to her death
by a IL gauge double barreled
Remington shotgun fired from
and within the hands of H. W.
Rupe on June II, 1916. H. w
Rupe came to his death by a
20 rifle fired from his own
hands"
Funeral services for Mrs.
Rupe will be held Friday at 2
p. m. at the Congregational
church with the Rev. r. N. Eng
land officiating. Burial will be
in the Hardin cemetery.
She was born July "a, 1928:
Both of her parents passed
away some years ago.
Her husband is now enroute
to Japan, where he Is slated to
serve with the army of occupa-
ton.
Other survivors include a
daughter, Chloette, 2; two sis.
tiers, Mrs. Albert Newman of
Sarpy and Alberta May of Har-
din; and a brother, Charles
May, a student at Hardin high
school.
Graveside services for H. w.
Rupe are scheduled for today
(Thursday) at 2 p. m, in the
Hardin cemetery. The Rev. A. J.
Stuart will be in charge. Pail
bearers are Ray Zelka. Louis
Zelka, Harry Callahan, Carl
Nordquist, J. Simmons and MIR.
Wyn.
He came to Hardin four years
ago from Oklahoma and was
operating a gunsmith. locksmitr'
and general repair business here
at the time of his death.
Survivors include his widow;
five sons, William. 81, in Ger
many; Emory j., 26, Of Hardin,
Charles E., %; H. w., Jr., 81,
and Leslie, 16, Of Hardin; and
two daughters. Aylene and MAI