Levi was born 31 July 1861 in Mercer County Pennsylvania to Miley Henry & Elmira Strayer. Levi died 21 April 1880 in Phillipsburg, Phillips, Kansas.

The following information is taken from court documents that Carol Strayer transcribed. Any word that was unreadable Carol used a question mark to mark that spot in the document. Levi passed away from his numerous gun shots. Charles P Jacobson, Nelson B Jacobson, Edwin Bradish and Bryan Bradish were all found guilty of murder and sentenced to prison. Charles died in prison and the other three were later pardoned.

State of Kansas Phillips County (Plaintiffs)
VS
Charles P Jacobson (brother-in-law of Levi) & Nelson B Jacobson (brothers), Edwin Bradish & Byran Bradish (father and son), and O.S. Cooley (all defendants)

Levi Strayer sworn on the Part of the State.

My name is Levi Strayer I reside in Phillips County State of Kansas. I am (?) with the defendants and (?) then and on Sunday Night last about 7 or 6 o'clock there was a man on the top of the house shoveling the dirt. (whole sentence unreadable) I suspected it was son and father. Took the gun and went out. I went around the s.w. corner of the house. I saw a man up there shoveling. I tried to draw a bead on and before I would shoot I was going to holler to him and ask what are you doing up there and before I could do anything I received a shot from behind in (?) (?) I recognized the man in the house it was Nelson Jacobson (points him out to the court) after I was shot I ran to the house. I hollered I do not know what I said I did not see any other parties when I came into the house my stepfather took the gun. I received another shot in thru the window it (?) in the out side of the leg. My stepfather took the gun. My stepfather was then shot in the knee.
I took the gun again and tried to hold the door. They tried to get the door open again. After my father received the shot in the knee he received another shot in the head behind the right ear. I did not no that he got another shot. At the time he received the shot in the head he was facing my mother she was sitting by the stove on the East side. When I was trying to hold the door I received another shot in the shoulder it came thru the door. I then stood up by the window (?) thought I might get a chance to shoot some of them. I then sat down and tried to hold the door they tried to get it open but I kept it shut the light was burning until after I (?) the shot thru the door and sat down.
I fainted when I came to mother was pulling at my arm and asking if I was hurt the light was out. I saw parties pass and re pass the door there was several of them I could not (?) nothing was. I could see thru the door (?) rest the window they shot thru the window several times and went off. They shot three times thru the west window there was no shots came thru the door after that.
After my stepfather received the first shot he said he believed he was gone.
I think there was a bout 4 or 5 men I could not count them.
This is all that (?) this all took Place in Phillips County Kansas the deceased is my step father George Brown
I do not what I shot with I do know I saw Nelson Jacobson on the house shoveling
I did not count the men and cannot tell how many there was
I only saw one man when they were leaving. One went on the southeast side of the home east I suppose the others went the other way.
I recognized Jacobson by his walk and actions. I can tell as far as I can see him.
I could see him plain he was up on the house and above me the weather was fair and moon shining. It might of have been blowing sum I do not remember I think it was clear the moon was shinning bright
Levi Strayer