Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 March 1915 — KILLED NEIGHBOR WHO PROTECTED WIFE [ARTICLE]

KILLED NEIGHBOR WHO PROTECTED WIFE

John Kraay, Farmer Near Medaryville, Murdered August Walters Last Saturday. Winamac, Ind., March 13.—John Kraay, 38 years old, a farmer living four miles northwest of Medaryville, today shot and killed August Walters, ■4O years old, a neighbor, using his victim’s own shotgun. The men quarreled in the yard at the Walters home. Kraay entered the house, obtained a shotgun and, returning to the yard, shot Walters. His victim walked into the house and lay down, dying ten minutes later. Kraay is said to have abused his wife and three small children last night, and to protect themselves they sought refuge at the Walters home, spending the night there. Kraay followed them today and when he censured Walters for harboring them a quarrel ensued. The shooting resulted. Walters leaves a widow and three small children.

Neighbors say that the slayer has been acting strange for some time, and it is believed that his mind was affected by fruitless efforts to sell his farm. He was in this city several times during the week and appeared to be under great mental strain. Kraay’s mother has been in an insane asylum for several years and it is believed that insanity will be the plea of the slayer. Kraay did not resist arrest, but Sheriff Zellers had difficulty in restraining the map’s wild efforts to leap from the automobile in which he was brought to this city. Kraay wept and raved alternately. As he was locked in a cell he shouted, “Turn on the electricity.”