Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 232, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1913 — SCHOOL TEACHER KILLED SUNDAY [ARTICLE]

SCHOOL TEACHER KILLED SUNDAY

Albert Bates Shot at Lewiston by George Taylor, Who Carelessly Fired Revolver.

Albert Bates, believed to be only 19 years of age, teacher of the school at Lewiston, half way between Pleasant Grove and Newland on the Gifford railroad, was accidentally killed Sunday afternoon, death resulting at about 11:30 o’clock, seven hours after he had been shot by George Taylor, of Lafayette. ‘ : f The details of the accident are as follows:

Bates and Taylor were roommates and bed-fellows at the residence of •- Orange Brewer, on Len Lefler’s farm near Lewiston. Bates taught the school and Taylor had been sent to the farm from Lafayette by Mr. Lefler to take care of some sheep on the Lefler farm.' He was told to kill the dogs that bothered them and had supplied himself with a 32-caliber revolver for that purpose. Sunday afternoon a number of men and young men were gathered at Lewiston and their conversation drifted to the subject of fire arms, and Taylor, who is about 24 years of age, said he had a fine revolver and some of those present wanted to see it and ho sent a Romanian boy, who also occupied the same room at the Brewer house with Taylor and Bates, after the revolver. He returned shortly with the gun and Taylor put three 32-long cartridges in it. One of the Hoeferline boys fired the revolver at a telephone pole and then Taylor fired through the corner of a granary. All went to the granary to see if the bullet went through both sides of the building. The granary Is divided into compartments and Taylor thought all of the men went Into the compartment where the bullet had entered and he thought he would frighten them by firing the pistol in the compartment adjoining. He raised the pistol and fired, the bullet passing through the side wall of the next compartment. Bates and Frank Hoeferline and Alex. Blitstein were standing in the compartment fired into and Bates was in the line taken by the bullet and across the room from where it entered. The bullet passed through his right arm and entered his side, just below the floating ribs and pierced the liver. Of course great excitement prevailed when Bates sank to the floor and the reports are somewhat eonfused, but all seem to agree that the shooting was entirely accidental but there is much criticism of Taylor for his shameful carelessness. Bates was removed to a house nearby and Dr. Sharrer, of Francesville, was called and labored with the young man until death came, about seven hours after the shoot-

ing. ' Coroner Wright was called this Monday morning and made a thorough investigation and his verdict will he “accidental shooting” He says, however, that the carelessness was little shore of criminal. Taylor was completely crushed by the terrible accident and except for his thoughtlessness there is no blame attached to him. Mr. and Mis. Brewer were examined and they stated that the relations of Bates and Taylor had been entirely pleasant and all said that the feeling between the young men was the best. Prom the position where Taylor fired he could not have seen Bates and this also substantiated that the shooting was accidental Coroner Wright brought the >ody to Rensselaer and placed It n his undertaking parlors and Bates’ father was expected from Metamora, Franklin county, to take charge of the body and it will be sent hack to his home for huiiaL Bates taught school last year in ils own county, It is said, and this all secured the Lewiston school in Barkley township. Among those who were at the granary when the accident oeeurred are Louis, Charles, Will and Franlc Hoeferline Nick Avion and Alex. Blitstein. 4