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lielieofvllrednilBl’-hegeofheIn-!tyedrnn,adthofueBUSHED INTO DEATH.Matt Rose Opening Fire is Shot Into Eternity.A FETJD OF SEVEN YEARS.liftitto0-s,9,lienP-it-be!e«36Ig3rtieJfx-3h»»ill.v-e-iuinn)yitnitn!l'i-iti-Nit)f3.aillr-ira.is)Vityi-nai-)VrJs-:tr-eht-►eitetleirdJacob Hartman Shoots His Assailant ToSave Himself.Friday afternoon April 20, Matt Rose was shot into eternity by a bullet from a pistol in the band of Jacob Hartman. The scene of the shooting was on the Hartman farm five miles north of Eldora. At the coroner’s inquest held at the court house Saturday at 1 o’clock p. m. the following named witnesses testified: Chris Rose, Frank Rose, W. II. Rinehart, Ed. Steele, Carl Klatt and Frank Klatt, the two latter being unable to speak English testified through an interpreter. The accused, Jacob Hartman, was placed on the stand but his attorney C. E. A1 brook objecting to bis testimony this privilege was willingly conceded by Coroner Gethman. The testimony was thoroughly corroborative, developing the following facts.The terrible tragedy was the result of a feud of over seven years. About ten years ago there was a block of three acres of land situated in Hardin City sold for taxes. The block belonged to Jacob Hartman and was a part of his farm of 100 acres. This block adjoined land of Matt Rose. Matt Rose bought it at tax sale. Afterward Jacob Hartman redeemed block and as the legal records show became and is now the legitimate owner thereof. For seven years Hartman has been in indisputable possession. Hartman resides in Wellsburg, Grundy county. He has in bis employ a german named Carl Hiatt who resides on the Hardin City farm. A week ago Klatt informed Hartman that he had been prohibited by Rose from plowing the three acre tract, and further that Rose had fenced it into his own land. Jacob Hartman upon this information, in company with another employee named W. H. Rinehart drove from Wellsburg Friday morning to Hardin City and at once proceeded to remove the wire fence and posts from around the three acre block. At noon they both dined with •Carl Klatt the farmer. After dinner the three and young Frank Klatt returned to the field. Klatt was ordered to plow the land in dispute. He was proceeding ou his third round when Chris, and Frank Rose sons of Matt Rose approached from over a low hill toward the Rose home which is eighty rods distant. Chris Rose disputed and Hartman affirmed bis right to remove the fence. Chris Rose challenged Hartman to fight. They both drew coats. At this instance Matt Hose was seen coming over the hill swinging a large pistol. in his right hand. Roth coats were replaced, Matt Rose approached at a rapid walk to within 30 feet when he halted, raised and pointed his pistol towardHartman. Hartman exclaimed“Don’t shoot, Rose, don’t shoot!5’ Rose approached to the team which was facing south, Carl Klatt was at the plow handles; his son holding the lines; Hartman close by and Rhine-hart ten feet away. Matt Rose instantly fired. The ball flew close to Rinehart. Hartman stepped close behind the .horses, drew a pistol and again shouted “Stop Rose, don’t shoot, don’t shootP Rose clutched the bridle bit and pointing his weapon between the horses fired again. The only conflict in testimony was whether this was the second or third shot by Rose. The chambers of his revolver show it must have been the second. Hartman placed his hand upon one horse, leaned over and fired at Rose. The horses took fright and ran. The battle was now face to face with but twelve feet between the frenzied men. Haitsnau again shouted “Stop Rose, don’t shoot again!” Rose fired. Hartman immediately followed with the fatal bullett which entered the head of Rose high above the left temple. Rose dropped his weapon, took a step to the east turned to the south and fell backward with head toward the northeast. The German and his son had started after the three running horses. The Rose boys stood silent. Not a word was spoken save by Hartman throughout the whole affray. Hartman and Rinehart seeing what was done started toward the barn agreeing to drive at once to Eldora. Seeing Hartman retreating, Chris Rose picked up his father’s weapon and rau after. Hartman commanded him to stop. He halted but when Hartman again started to run Chris Rose fired twice after him. Ed. Steele'Who lives 35 rods away had arrived on the scene, Rinehart and Hartman hitched up their team and .started to Eldora. When at the Mineral Point school house Hartman discovered he had lost his revolver. They agreed that Bine-1 hart should diive back, find the revolver and then drive to Wellsburg and inform the family of Hartman. Hehas a wife and five children, Hartman walked from Mineral Point ^school house to Eldora and gave himself np to deputy sheriff Roylan. Sheriff Boylan in the meantime had received word through a boy messenger and had started to the scene of the tragedy. Deputy sheriff Schrader of Ackley was telephoned. lie and Boy-lan met two miles north of Hardin City. Schrader was ordered toward Wellsburg. He overtook Rinehart and returned him to Eldora. Rinehart had found the Hartman revolver at the gate where they had emerged froma field near the East Bend school*house. Rinehart was arrested by Sheriff Boylan as a movement of discretion, but was released same evening. The weapon used by Hartman is a Harrington and Richardson 38 caliber center fire five shot. The Rose pistol is a Smith and Wesson 32 caliber seven shot. The pistol barrel of each is five inches in (length. The pistols were exhibited at the inquest Saturday. Matt Rose lived forty minutes after he was struck but spoke no word. Jacob Hartman was summoned before Justice Whited accused of murder Saturday morning who granted bail in sum of 83,000 to appear May 4. 1894. The bondsmen are O. Me Keen Duren, Robert Higinbotham, J. D. Newcomer, J. H. Bales, J. C. Wildey and Jacob Hartman and wife. Hartman is a well-to-do blacksmith of Wellsburg owning a farm in Grundy county besides the one at Hardin City. He is about thirty-five years of age, apparently sincere, and a gentleman. The unfortunate man Rose was about sixty years of age. He leaves a wife and four children, two sons and two daughters. Both sons still reside at home.The funeral services occurred Monday at 10:30 at the home. The body was interred in the Burlin cemetery.Rev. W. B. Washburn spoke the funeral service.The Coroner’s verdict was “Death bya bullet fired from a pistol in thehand of Jacob Hartman,”While the tragedy is sad andterrible yet its intelligence wasreceived in Eldora in remarkablequiet. It was not an exciting murder.While many knew both parties yetthe sad result was treated more as a bit of business n ews. The facts obtainable and evidence disclosed, direct one’s attention to the absolute necessity of Hartman’s action a8 he certainly was assailed by one with a definite intent to kill—this from the testimony at the inquest. There is sympathy for the bereaved family.
Newspaper Details
Eldora Ledger
Eldora, Iowa, US
Thu, Apr 26, 1894
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
OK, USA 21 Mar 2021
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