Person Page 6,059

On the evening of the 30th of April 1873, a bloody tragedy was enacted near Bremen, in this county, which resulted in the death of Mrs. Barbara Schmelzer, by her brother-in-law, John Schmelzer. It appears from the testimony that the farms of the parties are separated by a creek, and neither party having a fence along the creek, cattle could easily pass from one to the other. Mrs. Schmelzer's cattle had been in the habit of breaking into John's fields, and on Wednesday last John impounded three of the widow's cows for trespassing, and in her efforts to reclaim them, she lost her life.

It appears that a bad feeling had existed between the parties for some time, and meddlesome neighbors were partially instrumental in bringing the matter to a focus.

The news of the terrible tragedy spread throughout the community and the wildest excitement prevailed, and John was bitterly denounced by the citizens. He was not arrested until Thursday morning, when he was taken by a constable from Bremen and brought to this city.

On Monday, he had a preliminary examination before Mayor Slough, which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder in the first degree. His bond was fixed at $8,000, which he failed to give and was committed to jail.

A large crowd listened to the testimony and after the trial a great deal of sympathy was expressed for the deceased and family, and considerable indignation towards the defendant.

Mrs. Schmelzer left a grown son and several small children.

John has a wife and several children. He was born in Blessen, Germany, in 1811, immigrating to this country in 1840, and settling in the vicinity of his present home, almost immediately after his arrival. He is a rough, illiterate man, small of stature, bony and muscular, with a thin, emaciated countenance, but nothing in it to noticeably indicate a predominance of animal propensities, or to assimilate him with the common culprit, or a man of desperate and impious qualities. On the contrary, he seems like an inoffensive and harmless creature, and in his ignorance has but the faintest conception of the enormity of the deed he had perpetrated. He has always sustained the reputation of a hard working, frugal, industrious, through going farmer, and an honorable and upright citizen. However, at home, it is said, that his temper is subject to frequent and violent outbursts, and all coming in contact with him are compelled to bend before his unyielding and willful nature.

(There is a full record of the trial transcripts that can be found on-line.)