Boone County Democrat
Wednesday, July 31, 1889
BURGLAR KILLED
Shot While Breaking Into the Ridgeport P.O.
Full Details of the Tragedy.
The Burglar a Farmer Boy.
THE PLACE
One burglar met his doom. A young fellow trying to effect an entrance into the store of N. P. Peterson, who is also postmaster, at Mineral Ridge, was shot and instantly killed by John A. Peterson, the deputy postmaster, on Monday night.
The store and post office of Mineral Ridge is kept in the building on the west side of the road, where C. J. A. Ericson was in business in the early day. N. P. Peterson has been in business there for a number of years and is also postmaster. His son, John A. Peterson, a man of about thirty-five, is deputy postmaster and sleeps in the store.
THE SHOOTING
On Monday night, about 12 o'clock, John was awakened by hearing the crash of breaking glass. As glass is sold in the store and some had been on the counter, his first impression was that the cat had got among it. Stepping from his bed beneath the counter in the front or eastern part of the store, he walked west and discovered that a light was broken out of the window in the side of the store about midway its length, on the south side of the building. Everything was quiet, and it seemed to remain so for about fifteen minutes. Peterson was on the watch and had his revolver. After the lapse of what seemed a very long time a figure appeared in the window and a man reached in his hand. Peterson fired and the would-be theif
DROPPED DEAD IN HIS TRACKS,
shot through the brain. The ball entered the right temple, between the ear and eye, passing into the brain and causing death instantly. He fell from the window and died without a sound. Immediately after the shooting Peterson
GAVE AN ALARM
and neighbors came to his assistance. A watch was put over the dead man and Peterson took a buggy and started for Boone, about eight miles south. He arrived in this city about three o'clock yesterday morning, where he notified the authorities, and Coroner DeTar started for Mineral Ridge, to hold an inquest, arriving there about nine o'clock.
THE DEAD MAN
The person killed was found to be Frank Adamson, a boy of about 18, whose parents formerly lived in Mineral Ridge but moved several years ago to Swede Bend in Webster county, about six miles north of Ridgeport. The boy was well known in the neighborhood and though not detected in any crime heretofore had been keeping bad company. He was a boy easily led and the universal opinion in Mineral Ridge is that someone was with him in the scheme to rob the store and post office. Whoever was with him escaped undetected and Adamson can tell no tales.
Young Adamson was noticed hanging around Ridgeport in company with a stranger for several days. The two boys had slept at Mrs. Conden's barn the night before. On
SUNDAY NIGHT
an attempt had been made to enter F. R. Hinman's store, on the other side of the road. The robbers attempted to pry open a window on the south of the building. This attempt failed and was given up, evidently, because it was thought the houses were too close and breaking the window would arouse the neighbors. The side window of the Peterson store seemed to offer a better opportunity, as it faced the road. They evidently did not know any one slept in the store.
FOUND NEAR THE WINDOW
Adamson fell from the window and died about three feet from when he was shot. He was in his stocking feet and his shoes were found about 20 feet away, tied together. His hat was also found some distance off. The supposition is that an accomplice was present and had these articles, but dropped them and fled when the shot was fired.
NOTES
Drs. Deering and Rowe made a post-mortem examination. There was no question of the cause of death.
The jury impaneled by Coroner DeTar consisted of Frank Hinman, Henry Friedly, and John Crimm. Miss Flora Goetzman was employed as stenographer and took the notes of the testimony. The inquest was not concluded when our reporter left.
The fellow that had been seen with Adamson is being looked after. He disappeared after the shooting, but officers are on his track.
About 20 years ago an attempt was made to rob the same store at the same place. Swan Ferlien, who was sleeping in the store, hurled a two-pound weight at the burglar, striking him on the head and knocking him senseless. The fellow was captured and sent to the penitentiary.
The coroner's jury held their meeting in the house of Jonathan Beechler. The post office funds and supplies were probably one of the objects of the burglary. The safe in the store had, in private money, post office funds, postage stamps, etc., over $300.
The weapon with which Peterson did the shooting was a Smith & Weston 44-calibre. There was but a drop of blood on the ground where Adamson fell. He bled internally.
Sheriff Zenor arrived on the ground as soon as possible and is looking after the companion of the dead man. Adamson's parents had not heard of the tragedy yesterday morning. A man was sent to inform them. County Attorney Brocket was present at the inquest, looking after matters.
Gowrie News
August 1, 1889
About 12 o'clock on the night of July 29th at Ridgeport, a small town eight miles north of Boone, John A. Peterson, deputy postmaster, was awakened by some one trying to get into the store and post office. He saw a man reaching in a window that had been broken. Peterson fired and the burglar dropped dead on the outside, shot through the head. An accomplice who was with him escaped. In the morning it was discovered that the dead man was Frank Adamson, aged about twenty, son of a farmer living near Mineral Ridge. He had been hanging around the post office the day before, laying his plans for the burglary. The coroner's jury said the shooting was justifiable.
Boone County Democrat
Wednesday, Aug. 7, 1889
The Killing of Adamson
The account of the Ridgeport tragedy in The Democrat last week gave all the particulars and nothing of moment was developed at the inquest. The coroner's jury justified the shooting, as Peterson was defending his property from burglars. The parents of Adamson took charge of the remains and were heartbroken over the fate of their wayward boy. Peterson greatly regrets killing the boy, as he was well acquainted with him and his parents, and would not have fired had he supposed it was anyone he knew or anyone that could have been frightened by making a noise. It must be borne in mind that Peterson was alone in the store and knew that the post office funds and store receipts, aggregating about $300, were in the safe. For all he knew a band of professional burglars were getting in and it was not safe for him to disclose his location in the store by calling out. It was dark, inside and out, and he fired at the man in the window, making a shot that could not be made once in a dozen times, hitting his man in a vital spot.
Wednesday, July 31, 1889
BURGLAR KILLED
Shot While Breaking Into the Ridgeport P.O.
Full Details of the Tragedy.
The Burglar a Farmer Boy.
THE PLACE
One burglar met his doom. A young fellow trying to effect an entrance into the store of N. P. Peterson, who is also postmaster, at Mineral Ridge, was shot and instantly killed by John A. Peterson, the deputy postmaster, on Monday night.
The store and post office of Mineral Ridge is kept in the building on the west side of the road, where C. J. A. Ericson was in business in the early day. N. P. Peterson has been in business there for a number of years and is also postmaster. His son, John A. Peterson, a man of about thirty-five, is deputy postmaster and sleeps in the store.
THE SHOOTING
On Monday night, about 12 o'clock, John was awakened by hearing the crash of breaking glass. As glass is sold in the store and some had been on the counter, his first impression was that the cat had got among it. Stepping from his bed beneath the counter in the front or eastern part of the store, he walked west and discovered that a light was broken out of the window in the side of the store about midway its length, on the south side of the building. Everything was quiet, and it seemed to remain so for about fifteen minutes. Peterson was on the watch and had his revolver. After the lapse of what seemed a very long time a figure appeared in the window and a man reached in his hand. Peterson fired and the would-be theif
DROPPED DEAD IN HIS TRACKS,
shot through the brain. The ball entered the right temple, between the ear and eye, passing into the brain and causing death instantly. He fell from the window and died without a sound. Immediately after the shooting Peterson
GAVE AN ALARM
and neighbors came to his assistance. A watch was put over the dead man and Peterson took a buggy and started for Boone, about eight miles south. He arrived in this city about three o'clock yesterday morning, where he notified the authorities, and Coroner DeTar started for Mineral Ridge, to hold an inquest, arriving there about nine o'clock.
THE DEAD MAN
The person killed was found to be Frank Adamson, a boy of about 18, whose parents formerly lived in Mineral Ridge but moved several years ago to Swede Bend in Webster county, about six miles north of Ridgeport. The boy was well known in the neighborhood and though not detected in any crime heretofore had been keeping bad company. He was a boy easily led and the universal opinion in Mineral Ridge is that someone was with him in the scheme to rob the store and post office. Whoever was with him escaped undetected and Adamson can tell no tales.
Young Adamson was noticed hanging around Ridgeport in company with a stranger for several days. The two boys had slept at Mrs. Conden's barn the night before. On
SUNDAY NIGHT
an attempt had been made to enter F. R. Hinman's store, on the other side of the road. The robbers attempted to pry open a window on the south of the building. This attempt failed and was given up, evidently, because it was thought the houses were too close and breaking the window would arouse the neighbors. The side window of the Peterson store seemed to offer a better opportunity, as it faced the road. They evidently did not know any one slept in the store.
FOUND NEAR THE WINDOW
Adamson fell from the window and died about three feet from when he was shot. He was in his stocking feet and his shoes were found about 20 feet away, tied together. His hat was also found some distance off. The supposition is that an accomplice was present and had these articles, but dropped them and fled when the shot was fired.
NOTES
Drs. Deering and Rowe made a post-mortem examination. There was no question of the cause of death.
The jury impaneled by Coroner DeTar consisted of Frank Hinman, Henry Friedly, and John Crimm. Miss Flora Goetzman was employed as stenographer and took the notes of the testimony. The inquest was not concluded when our reporter left.
The fellow that had been seen with Adamson is being looked after. He disappeared after the shooting, but officers are on his track.
About 20 years ago an attempt was made to rob the same store at the same place. Swan Ferlien, who was sleeping in the store, hurled a two-pound weight at the burglar, striking him on the head and knocking him senseless. The fellow was captured and sent to the penitentiary.
The coroner's jury held their meeting in the house of Jonathan Beechler. The post office funds and supplies were probably one of the objects of the burglary. The safe in the store had, in private money, post office funds, postage stamps, etc., over $300.
The weapon with which Peterson did the shooting was a Smith & Weston 44-calibre. There was but a drop of blood on the ground where Adamson fell. He bled internally.
Sheriff Zenor arrived on the ground as soon as possible and is looking after the companion of the dead man. Adamson's parents had not heard of the tragedy yesterday morning. A man was sent to inform them. County Attorney Brocket was present at the inquest, looking after matters.
Gowrie News
August 1, 1889
About 12 o'clock on the night of July 29th at Ridgeport, a small town eight miles north of Boone, John A. Peterson, deputy postmaster, was awakened by some one trying to get into the store and post office. He saw a man reaching in a window that had been broken. Peterson fired and the burglar dropped dead on the outside, shot through the head. An accomplice who was with him escaped. In the morning it was discovered that the dead man was Frank Adamson, aged about twenty, son of a farmer living near Mineral Ridge. He had been hanging around the post office the day before, laying his plans for the burglary. The coroner's jury said the shooting was justifiable.
Boone County Democrat
Wednesday, Aug. 7, 1889
The Killing of Adamson
The account of the Ridgeport tragedy in The Democrat last week gave all the particulars and nothing of moment was developed at the inquest. The coroner's jury justified the shooting, as Peterson was defending his property from burglars. The parents of Adamson took charge of the remains and were heartbroken over the fate of their wayward boy. Peterson greatly regrets killing the boy, as he was well acquainted with him and his parents, and would not have fired had he supposed it was anyone he knew or anyone that could have been frightened by making a noise. It must be borne in mind that Peterson was alone in the store and knew that the post office funds and store receipts, aggregating about $300, were in the safe. For all he knew a band of professional burglars were getting in and it was not safe for him to disclose his location in the store by calling out. It was dark, inside and out, and he fired at the man in the window, making a shot that could not be made once in a dozen times, hitting his man in a vital spot.
Boone County Democrat
Wednesday, July 31, 1889
BURGLAR KILLED
Shot While Breaking Into the Ridgeport P.O.
Full Details of the Tragedy.
The Burglar a Farmer Boy.
THE PLACE
One burglar met his doom. A young fellow trying to effect an entrance into the store of N. P. Peterson, who is also postmaster, at Mineral Ridge, was shot and instantly killed by John A. Peterson, the deputy postmaster, on Monday night.
The store and post office of Mineral Ridge is kept in the building on the west side of the road, where C. J. A. Ericson was in business in the early day. N. P. Peterson has been in business there for a number of years and is also postmaster. His son, John A. Peterson, a man of about thirty-five, is deputy postmaster and sleeps in the store.
THE SHOOTING
On Monday night, about 12 o'clock, John was awakened by hearing the crash of breaking glass. As glass is sold in the store and some had been on the counter, his first impression was that the cat had got among it. Stepping from his bed beneath the counter in the front or eastern part of the store, he walked west and discovered that a light was broken out of the window in the side of the store about midway its length, on the south side of the building. Everything was quiet, and it seemed to remain so for about fifteen minutes. Peterson was on the watch and had his revolver. After the lapse of what seemed a very long time a figure appeared in the window and a man reached in his hand. Peterson fired and the would-be theif
DROPPED DEAD IN HIS TRACKS,
shot through the brain. The ball entered the right temple, between the ear and eye, passing into the brain and causing death instantly. He fell from the window and died without a sound. Immediately after the shooting Peterson
GAVE AN ALARM
and neighbors came to his assistance. A watch was put over the dead man and Peterson took a buggy and started for Boone, about eight miles south. He arrived in this city about three o'clock yesterday morning, where he notified the authorities, and Coroner DeTar started for Mineral Ridge, to hold an inquest, arriving there about nine o'clock.
THE DEAD MAN
The person killed was found to be Frank Adamson, a boy of about 18, whose parents formerly lived in Mineral Ridge but moved several years ago to Swede Bend in Webster county, about six miles north of Ridgeport. The boy was well known in the neighborhood and though not detected in any crime heretofore had been keeping bad company. He was a boy easily led and the universal opinion in Mineral Ridge is that someone was with him in the scheme to rob the store and post office. Whoever was with him escaped undetected and Adamson can tell no tales.
Young Adamson was noticed hanging around Ridgeport in company with a stranger for several days. The two boys had slept at Mrs. Conden's barn the night before. On
SUNDAY NIGHT
an attempt had been made to enter F. R. Hinman's store, on the other side of the road. The robbers attempted to pry open a window on the south of the building. This attempt failed and was given up, evidently, because it was thought the houses were too close and breaking the window would arouse the neighbors. The side window of the Peterson store seemed to offer a better opportunity, as it faced the road. They evidently did not know any one slept in the store.
FOUND NEAR THE WINDOW
Adamson fell from the window and died about three feet from when he was shot. He was in his stocking feet and his shoes were found about 20 feet away, tied together. His hat was also found some distance off. The supposition is that an accomplice was present and had these articles, but dropped them and fled when the shot was fired.
NOTES
Drs. Deering and Rowe made a post-mortem examination. There was no question of the cause of death.
The jury impaneled by Coroner DeTar consisted of Frank Hinman, Henry Friedly, and John Crimm. Miss Flora Goetzman was employed as stenographer and took the notes of the testimony. The inquest was not concluded when our reporter left.
The fellow that had been seen with Adamson is being looked after. He disappeared after the shooting, but officers are on his track.
About 20 years ago an attempt was made to rob the same store at the same place. Swan Ferlien, who was sleeping in the store, hurled a two-pound weight at the burglar, striking him on the head and knocking him senseless. The fellow was captured and sent to the penitentiary.
The coroner's jury held their meeting in the house of Jonathan Beechler. The post office funds and supplies were probably one of the objects of the burglary. The safe in the store had, in private money, post office funds, postage stamps, etc., over $300.
The weapon with which Peterson did the shooting was a Smith & Weston 44-calibre. There was but a drop of blood on the ground where Adamson fell. He bled internally.
Sheriff Zenor arrived on the ground as soon as possible and is looking after the companion of the dead man. Adamson's parents had not heard of the tragedy yesterday morning. A man was sent to inform them. County Attorney Brocket was present at the inquest, looking after matters.
Gowrie News
August 1, 1889
About 12 o'clock on the night of July 29th at Ridgeport, a small town eight miles north of Boone, John A. Peterson, deputy postmaster, was awakened by some one trying to get into the store and post office. He saw a man reaching in a window that had been broken. Peterson fired and the burglar dropped dead on the outside, shot through the head. An accomplice who was with him escaped. In the morning it was discovered that the dead man was Frank Adamson, aged about twenty, son of a farmer living near Mineral Ridge. He had been hanging around the post office the day before, laying his plans for the burglary. The coroner's jury said the shooting was justifiable.
Boone County Democrat
Wednesday, Aug. 7, 1889
The Killing of Adamson
The account of the Ridgeport tragedy in The Democrat last week gave all the particulars and nothing of moment was developed at the inquest. The coroner's jury justified the shooting, as Peterson was defending his property from burglars. The parents of Adamson took charge of the remains and were heartbroken over the fate of their wayward boy. Peterson greatly regrets killing the boy, as he was well acquainted with him and his parents, and would not have fired had he supposed it was anyone he knew or anyone that could have been frightened by making a noise. It must be borne in mind that Peterson was alone in the store and knew that the post office funds and store receipts, aggregating about $300, were in the safe. For all he knew a band of professional burglars were getting in and it was not safe for him to disclose his location in the store by calling out. It was dark, inside and out, and he fired at the man in the window, making a shot that could not be made once in a dozen times, hitting his man in a vital spot.
Wednesday, July 31, 1889
BURGLAR KILLED
Shot While Breaking Into the Ridgeport P.O.
Full Details of the Tragedy.
The Burglar a Farmer Boy.
THE PLACE
One burglar met his doom. A young fellow trying to effect an entrance into the store of N. P. Peterson, who is also postmaster, at Mineral Ridge, was shot and instantly killed by John A. Peterson, the deputy postmaster, on Monday night.
The store and post office of Mineral Ridge is kept in the building on the west side of the road, where C. J. A. Ericson was in business in the early day. N. P. Peterson has been in business there for a number of years and is also postmaster. His son, John A. Peterson, a man of about thirty-five, is deputy postmaster and sleeps in the store.
THE SHOOTING
On Monday night, about 12 o'clock, John was awakened by hearing the crash of breaking glass. As glass is sold in the store and some had been on the counter, his first impression was that the cat had got among it. Stepping from his bed beneath the counter in the front or eastern part of the store, he walked west and discovered that a light was broken out of the window in the side of the store about midway its length, on the south side of the building. Everything was quiet, and it seemed to remain so for about fifteen minutes. Peterson was on the watch and had his revolver. After the lapse of what seemed a very long time a figure appeared in the window and a man reached in his hand. Peterson fired and the would-be theif
DROPPED DEAD IN HIS TRACKS,
shot through the brain. The ball entered the right temple, between the ear and eye, passing into the brain and causing death instantly. He fell from the window and died without a sound. Immediately after the shooting Peterson
GAVE AN ALARM
and neighbors came to his assistance. A watch was put over the dead man and Peterson took a buggy and started for Boone, about eight miles south. He arrived in this city about three o'clock yesterday morning, where he notified the authorities, and Coroner DeTar started for Mineral Ridge, to hold an inquest, arriving there about nine o'clock.
THE DEAD MAN
The person killed was found to be Frank Adamson, a boy of about 18, whose parents formerly lived in Mineral Ridge but moved several years ago to Swede Bend in Webster county, about six miles north of Ridgeport. The boy was well known in the neighborhood and though not detected in any crime heretofore had been keeping bad company. He was a boy easily led and the universal opinion in Mineral Ridge is that someone was with him in the scheme to rob the store and post office. Whoever was with him escaped undetected and Adamson can tell no tales.
Young Adamson was noticed hanging around Ridgeport in company with a stranger for several days. The two boys had slept at Mrs. Conden's barn the night before. On
SUNDAY NIGHT
an attempt had been made to enter F. R. Hinman's store, on the other side of the road. The robbers attempted to pry open a window on the south of the building. This attempt failed and was given up, evidently, because it was thought the houses were too close and breaking the window would arouse the neighbors. The side window of the Peterson store seemed to offer a better opportunity, as it faced the road. They evidently did not know any one slept in the store.
FOUND NEAR THE WINDOW
Adamson fell from the window and died about three feet from when he was shot. He was in his stocking feet and his shoes were found about 20 feet away, tied together. His hat was also found some distance off. The supposition is that an accomplice was present and had these articles, but dropped them and fled when the shot was fired.
NOTES
Drs. Deering and Rowe made a post-mortem examination. There was no question of the cause of death.
The jury impaneled by Coroner DeTar consisted of Frank Hinman, Henry Friedly, and John Crimm. Miss Flora Goetzman was employed as stenographer and took the notes of the testimony. The inquest was not concluded when our reporter left.
The fellow that had been seen with Adamson is being looked after. He disappeared after the shooting, but officers are on his track.
About 20 years ago an attempt was made to rob the same store at the same place. Swan Ferlien, who was sleeping in the store, hurled a two-pound weight at the burglar, striking him on the head and knocking him senseless. The fellow was captured and sent to the penitentiary.
The coroner's jury held their meeting in the house of Jonathan Beechler. The post office funds and supplies were probably one of the objects of the burglary. The safe in the store had, in private money, post office funds, postage stamps, etc., over $300.
The weapon with which Peterson did the shooting was a Smith & Weston 44-calibre. There was but a drop of blood on the ground where Adamson fell. He bled internally.
Sheriff Zenor arrived on the ground as soon as possible and is looking after the companion of the dead man. Adamson's parents had not heard of the tragedy yesterday morning. A man was sent to inform them. County Attorney Brocket was present at the inquest, looking after matters.
Gowrie News
August 1, 1889
About 12 o'clock on the night of July 29th at Ridgeport, a small town eight miles north of Boone, John A. Peterson, deputy postmaster, was awakened by some one trying to get into the store and post office. He saw a man reaching in a window that had been broken. Peterson fired and the burglar dropped dead on the outside, shot through the head. An accomplice who was with him escaped. In the morning it was discovered that the dead man was Frank Adamson, aged about twenty, son of a farmer living near Mineral Ridge. He had been hanging around the post office the day before, laying his plans for the burglary. The coroner's jury said the shooting was justifiable.
Boone County Democrat
Wednesday, Aug. 7, 1889
The Killing of Adamson
The account of the Ridgeport tragedy in The Democrat last week gave all the particulars and nothing of moment was developed at the inquest. The coroner's jury justified the shooting, as Peterson was defending his property from burglars. The parents of Adamson took charge of the remains and were heartbroken over the fate of their wayward boy. Peterson greatly regrets killing the boy, as he was well acquainted with him and his parents, and would not have fired had he supposed it was anyone he knew or anyone that could have been frightened by making a noise. It must be borne in mind that Peterson was alone in the store and knew that the post office funds and store receipts, aggregating about $300, were in the safe. For all he knew a band of professional burglars were getting in and it was not safe for him to disclose his location in the store by calling out. It was dark, inside and out, and he fired at the man in the window, making a shot that could not be made once in a dozen times, hitting his man in a vital spot.
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