Husband Of Frances Fidocia Pulsipher / Hotchkiss son Of Philip & Hannah Pickett. Father of Charlottie F, Lewis F,Elmer A, Rosalie, Mortimer D, Lewis Was Killed by Gun Shot from Neighbor
Monday afternoon, May 15th, at Wiota, this county, Lewis Picket, an old citizen of our county, was killed by Isaac Miller, also an old citizen. The circumstances as near as we can get them, were as follows: It appears there has been an old feud between the parties in relation to a line fence and other matters. The matter having been in the courts. Monday Picket's horses got into Miller's enclosure, and he went after them. Miller was present, and was nailing up his fence. Picket attempted to pull down the fence, Miller told him not to tear down the fence, and threatened if he did he would shoot him. At this time, as Miller says, Picket started towards him with an axe.
Other parties say, however, that Picket was standing waiting for his boy to bring his axe. Miller presented his gun within 4 feet of Picket and fired. The charge entering his left breast, killing him immediately. Miller then started with his horse and went to John Mason's and to Fayette informing his friends what he had done, and then to Darlington and surrendered himself to the authorities. Miller is now confined in jail, awaiting action by the court.
Since the above was written we have called upon the prisoner in the jail; found him as calm as could be expected under the circumstances. Mr. Miller has the appearance of an intelligent farmer who feels deeply his position. We asked him if he desired to make any statements in relation to the affair. He replied that he had not. That nothing except a positive and present fear of his own life would, under any circumstances, have induced him to kill Mr. Picket. That he acted in the whole matter in self defense; that no one can regret the event more than he does. He also stated that he has for 3 years been under fear from Picket; has been told repeatedly of Picket's bad blood towards him.
Mr. Miller feels confident that, up on a full and dispassionate hearing of all the circumstances, he will be fully relieved of blame. In relation to the facts of the killing, Miller say: "Picket and myself have had difficulties for some three years. Picket was a very quarrelsome man, as all the neighbors will testify. About 11 1/2 o'clock yesterday Mr. Picket's horses got in my meadow; my wife called my attention to the fact. I said to her I did not see how I could help it. I then went to fixing a roller. Wife again said I ought to see to Picket's horses. Went to the house and went at cutting potatoes; then took some poles and went to fasten up the gap between the fences where Picket would not let me join his fence, and where the horses got it. Told my wife I would go up the bottom in the woods and kill some pigeon's after I fixed the fence, and took my gun for that purpose. Had to cross the river in a boat; took axe, nails etc, to fix the fence; went to the gap; had pole and axe on my shoulder; dropped the gun down by the fence; put the pole up across the gap; drove two nails in the end of the pole on Picket's post. One horse was inside, and one out, at that time. Picket's fence was down in another place where he could take his horse out. Nailed the other end to my post. Then found some of my fence had been tampered with by some one. Repaired it; came back then to the gap, dropped my axe down, calculating to go for more poles at the river. Then saw Picket near his house walking fast towards his house. He went in. He then came out and went towards the barn, and his son joined him, and they started towards me. When near me they were talking low together. Heard the son say "God damn him, split him open with the axe. Picket, as he came up, looked very mad and excited. As they came to the fence they separated, one going on each side of me. When within five feet of the fence he raised his axe as if to strike. I asked him not to knock my fence down. He said, I'll knock your fence, and God damn you, I will Knock you too. He then knocked the pole off and said, Now, God damn you, I'll split you too. He was coming towards me. I then picked up my gun, and said: Picket, don't knock my fence down or murder me. If you come any closer I'll shoot you. He said he would split me open. I said, go away, Picket, don't come any nearer me. He continued to advance again towards me with his axe raised. The son was also coming towards me very threateningly. The gun was then fired, and Picket fell. The son then picked up the axe and started for me, and I went at once home. Came to Darlington and surrendered to the sheriff, bringing the first news of the event to Darlington.
In giving the statement above of the prisoner, it is but just to state that the son of Mr. Picket gives a different view of the affair, viz: That when Picket came to the fence he raised his axe to knock off the pole Miller had nailed on. That Miller told him if he did he would shoot him. That Picket did knock off the pole, and that Miller then shot. Young Picket also says that his father did not raise the axe to strike prisoner, neither did he threaten to do so.
In giving the above we have endeavored to give both sides of this melancholy occurrence. Mr. Picket was a man of family. The prisoner is 39 years old, and has a wife ( the daughter of Knudson, the wealthy Norwegian of La Crosse) and four children; and is a native of Ohio.
Darlington Democrat 19 May 1871
Monday afternoon, May 15th, at Wiota, this county, Lewis Picket, an old citizen of our county, was killed by Isaac Miller, also an old citizen. The circumstances as near as we can get them, were as follows: It appears there has been an old feud between the parties in relation to a line fence and other matters. The matter having been in the courts. Monday Picket's horses got into Miller's enclosure, and he went after them. Miller was present, and was nailing up his fence. Picket attempted to pull down the fence, Miller told him not to tear down the fence, and threatened if he did he would shoot him. At this time, as Miller says, Picket started towards him with an axe.
Other parties say, however, that Picket was standing waiting for his boy to bring his axe. Miller presented his gun within 4 feet of Picket and fired. The charge entering his left breast, killing him immediately. Miller then started with his horse and went to John Mason's and to Fayette informing his friends what he had done, and then to Darlington and surrendered himself to the authorities. Miller is now confined in jail, awaiting action by the court.
Since the above was written we have called upon the prisoner in the jail; found him as calm as could be expected under the circumstances. Mr. Miller has the appearance of an intelligent farmer who feels deeply his position. We asked him if he desired to make any statements in relation to the affair. He replied that he had not. That nothing except a positive and present fear of his own life would, under any circumstances, have induced him to kill Mr. Picket. That he acted in the whole matter in self defense; that no one can regret the event more than he does. He also stated that he has for 3 years been under fear from Picket; has been told repeatedly of Picket's bad blood towards him.
Mr. Miller feels confident that, up on a full and dispassionate hearing of all the circumstances, he will be fully relieved of blame. In relation to the facts of the killing, Miller say: "Picket and myself have had difficulties for some three years. Picket was a very quarrelsome man, as all the neighbors will testify. About 11 1/2 o'clock yesterday Mr. Picket's horses got in my meadow; my wife called my attention to the fact. I said to her I did not see how I could help it. I then went to fixing a roller. Wife again said I ought to see to Picket's horses. Went to the house and went at cutting potatoes; then took some poles and went to fasten up the gap between the fences where Picket would not let me join his fence, and where the horses got it. Told my wife I would go up the bottom in the woods and kill some pigeon's after I fixed the fence, and took my gun for that purpose. Had to cross the river in a boat; took axe, nails etc, to fix the fence; went to the gap; had pole and axe on my shoulder; dropped the gun down by the fence; put the pole up across the gap; drove two nails in the end of the pole on Picket's post. One horse was inside, and one out, at that time. Picket's fence was down in another place where he could take his horse out. Nailed the other end to my post. Then found some of my fence had been tampered with by some one. Repaired it; came back then to the gap, dropped my axe down, calculating to go for more poles at the river. Then saw Picket near his house walking fast towards his house. He went in. He then came out and went towards the barn, and his son joined him, and they started towards me. When near me they were talking low together. Heard the son say "God damn him, split him open with the axe. Picket, as he came up, looked very mad and excited. As they came to the fence they separated, one going on each side of me. When within five feet of the fence he raised his axe as if to strike. I asked him not to knock my fence down. He said, I'll knock your fence, and God damn you, I will Knock you too. He then knocked the pole off and said, Now, God damn you, I'll split you too. He was coming towards me. I then picked up my gun, and said: Picket, don't knock my fence down or murder me. If you come any closer I'll shoot you. He said he would split me open. I said, go away, Picket, don't come any nearer me. He continued to advance again towards me with his axe raised. The son was also coming towards me very threateningly. The gun was then fired, and Picket fell. The son then picked up the axe and started for me, and I went at once home. Came to Darlington and surrendered to the sheriff, bringing the first news of the event to Darlington.
In giving the statement above of the prisoner, it is but just to state that the son of Mr. Picket gives a different view of the affair, viz: That when Picket came to the fence he raised his axe to knock off the pole Miller had nailed on. That Miller told him if he did he would shoot him. That Picket did knock off the pole, and that Miller then shot. Young Picket also says that his father did not raise the axe to strike prisoner, neither did he threaten to do so.
In giving the above we have endeavored to give both sides of this melancholy occurrence. Mr. Picket was a man of family. The prisoner is 39 years old, and has a wife ( the daughter of Knudson, the wealthy Norwegian of La Crosse) and four children; and is a native of Ohio.
Darlington Democrat 19 May 1871
Husband Of Frances Fidocia Pulsipher / Hotchkiss son Of Philip & Hannah Pickett. Father of Charlottie F, Lewis F,Elmer A, Rosalie, Mortimer D, Lewis Was Killed by Gun Shot from Neighbor
Monday afternoon, May 15th, at Wiota, this county, Lewis Picket, an old citizen of our county, was killed by Isaac Miller, also an old citizen. The circumstances as near as we can get them, were as follows: It appears there has been an old feud between the parties in relation to a line fence and other matters. The matter having been in the courts. Monday Picket's horses got into Miller's enclosure, and he went after them. Miller was present, and was nailing up his fence. Picket attempted to pull down the fence, Miller told him not to tear down the fence, and threatened if he did he would shoot him. At this time, as Miller says, Picket started towards him with an axe.
Other parties say, however, that Picket was standing waiting for his boy to bring his axe. Miller presented his gun within 4 feet of Picket and fired. The charge entering his left breast, killing him immediately. Miller then started with his horse and went to John Mason's and to Fayette informing his friends what he had done, and then to Darlington and surrendered himself to the authorities. Miller is now confined in jail, awaiting action by the court.
Since the above was written we have called upon the prisoner in the jail; found him as calm as could be expected under the circumstances. Mr. Miller has the appearance of an intelligent farmer who feels deeply his position. We asked him if he desired to make any statements in relation to the affair. He replied that he had not. That nothing except a positive and present fear of his own life would, under any circumstances, have induced him to kill Mr. Picket. That he acted in the whole matter in self defense; that no one can regret the event more than he does. He also stated that he has for 3 years been under fear from Picket; has been told repeatedly of Picket's bad blood towards him.
Mr. Miller feels confident that, up on a full and dispassionate hearing of all the circumstances, he will be fully relieved of blame. In relation to the facts of the killing, Miller say: "Picket and myself have had difficulties for some three years. Picket was a very quarrelsome man, as all the neighbors will testify. About 11 1/2 o'clock yesterday Mr. Picket's horses got in my meadow; my wife called my attention to the fact. I said to her I did not see how I could help it. I then went to fixing a roller. Wife again said I ought to see to Picket's horses. Went to the house and went at cutting potatoes; then took some poles and went to fasten up the gap between the fences where Picket would not let me join his fence, and where the horses got it. Told my wife I would go up the bottom in the woods and kill some pigeon's after I fixed the fence, and took my gun for that purpose. Had to cross the river in a boat; took axe, nails etc, to fix the fence; went to the gap; had pole and axe on my shoulder; dropped the gun down by the fence; put the pole up across the gap; drove two nails in the end of the pole on Picket's post. One horse was inside, and one out, at that time. Picket's fence was down in another place where he could take his horse out. Nailed the other end to my post. Then found some of my fence had been tampered with by some one. Repaired it; came back then to the gap, dropped my axe down, calculating to go for more poles at the river. Then saw Picket near his house walking fast towards his house. He went in. He then came out and went towards the barn, and his son joined him, and they started towards me. When near me they were talking low together. Heard the son say "God damn him, split him open with the axe. Picket, as he came up, looked very mad and excited. As they came to the fence they separated, one going on each side of me. When within five feet of the fence he raised his axe as if to strike. I asked him not to knock my fence down. He said, I'll knock your fence, and God damn you, I will Knock you too. He then knocked the pole off and said, Now, God damn you, I'll split you too. He was coming towards me. I then picked up my gun, and said: Picket, don't knock my fence down or murder me. If you come any closer I'll shoot you. He said he would split me open. I said, go away, Picket, don't come any nearer me. He continued to advance again towards me with his axe raised. The son was also coming towards me very threateningly. The gun was then fired, and Picket fell. The son then picked up the axe and started for me, and I went at once home. Came to Darlington and surrendered to the sheriff, bringing the first news of the event to Darlington.
In giving the statement above of the prisoner, it is but just to state that the son of Mr. Picket gives a different view of the affair, viz: That when Picket came to the fence he raised his axe to knock off the pole Miller had nailed on. That Miller told him if he did he would shoot him. That Picket did knock off the pole, and that Miller then shot. Young Picket also says that his father did not raise the axe to strike prisoner, neither did he threaten to do so.
In giving the above we have endeavored to give both sides of this melancholy occurrence. Mr. Picket was a man of family. The prisoner is 39 years old, and has a wife ( the daughter of Knudson, the wealthy Norwegian of La Crosse) and four children; and is a native of Ohio.
Darlington Democrat 19 May 1871
Monday afternoon, May 15th, at Wiota, this county, Lewis Picket, an old citizen of our county, was killed by Isaac Miller, also an old citizen. The circumstances as near as we can get them, were as follows: It appears there has been an old feud between the parties in relation to a line fence and other matters. The matter having been in the courts. Monday Picket's horses got into Miller's enclosure, and he went after them. Miller was present, and was nailing up his fence. Picket attempted to pull down the fence, Miller told him not to tear down the fence, and threatened if he did he would shoot him. At this time, as Miller says, Picket started towards him with an axe.
Other parties say, however, that Picket was standing waiting for his boy to bring his axe. Miller presented his gun within 4 feet of Picket and fired. The charge entering his left breast, killing him immediately. Miller then started with his horse and went to John Mason's and to Fayette informing his friends what he had done, and then to Darlington and surrendered himself to the authorities. Miller is now confined in jail, awaiting action by the court.
Since the above was written we have called upon the prisoner in the jail; found him as calm as could be expected under the circumstances. Mr. Miller has the appearance of an intelligent farmer who feels deeply his position. We asked him if he desired to make any statements in relation to the affair. He replied that he had not. That nothing except a positive and present fear of his own life would, under any circumstances, have induced him to kill Mr. Picket. That he acted in the whole matter in self defense; that no one can regret the event more than he does. He also stated that he has for 3 years been under fear from Picket; has been told repeatedly of Picket's bad blood towards him.
Mr. Miller feels confident that, up on a full and dispassionate hearing of all the circumstances, he will be fully relieved of blame. In relation to the facts of the killing, Miller say: "Picket and myself have had difficulties for some three years. Picket was a very quarrelsome man, as all the neighbors will testify. About 11 1/2 o'clock yesterday Mr. Picket's horses got in my meadow; my wife called my attention to the fact. I said to her I did not see how I could help it. I then went to fixing a roller. Wife again said I ought to see to Picket's horses. Went to the house and went at cutting potatoes; then took some poles and went to fasten up the gap between the fences where Picket would not let me join his fence, and where the horses got it. Told my wife I would go up the bottom in the woods and kill some pigeon's after I fixed the fence, and took my gun for that purpose. Had to cross the river in a boat; took axe, nails etc, to fix the fence; went to the gap; had pole and axe on my shoulder; dropped the gun down by the fence; put the pole up across the gap; drove two nails in the end of the pole on Picket's post. One horse was inside, and one out, at that time. Picket's fence was down in another place where he could take his horse out. Nailed the other end to my post. Then found some of my fence had been tampered with by some one. Repaired it; came back then to the gap, dropped my axe down, calculating to go for more poles at the river. Then saw Picket near his house walking fast towards his house. He went in. He then came out and went towards the barn, and his son joined him, and they started towards me. When near me they were talking low together. Heard the son say "God damn him, split him open with the axe. Picket, as he came up, looked very mad and excited. As they came to the fence they separated, one going on each side of me. When within five feet of the fence he raised his axe as if to strike. I asked him not to knock my fence down. He said, I'll knock your fence, and God damn you, I will Knock you too. He then knocked the pole off and said, Now, God damn you, I'll split you too. He was coming towards me. I then picked up my gun, and said: Picket, don't knock my fence down or murder me. If you come any closer I'll shoot you. He said he would split me open. I said, go away, Picket, don't come any nearer me. He continued to advance again towards me with his axe raised. The son was also coming towards me very threateningly. The gun was then fired, and Picket fell. The son then picked up the axe and started for me, and I went at once home. Came to Darlington and surrendered to the sheriff, bringing the first news of the event to Darlington.
In giving the statement above of the prisoner, it is but just to state that the son of Mr. Picket gives a different view of the affair, viz: That when Picket came to the fence he raised his axe to knock off the pole Miller had nailed on. That Miller told him if he did he would shoot him. That Picket did knock off the pole, and that Miller then shot. Young Picket also says that his father did not raise the axe to strike prisoner, neither did he threaten to do so.
In giving the above we have endeavored to give both sides of this melancholy occurrence. Mr. Picket was a man of family. The prisoner is 39 years old, and has a wife ( the daughter of Knudson, the wealthy Norwegian of La Crosse) and four children; and is a native of Ohio.
Darlington Democrat 19 May 1871
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