Niobrara Carpenter Slays His Neighbor
Roy Titus, 70, Shoots And Instantly Kills A. Merritt, Stockman
Niobrara, Neb. Nov. 13--Special to the News: A. Merritt about 60 years old, prominent resident of this place, was shot and instantly killed by Roy Titus, 70, his neighbor, who fired a shotgun at the former as he rode by the Titus house on the south edge of town last evening about 6 o'clock.
Merritt was in company of Frank Ulrich, well known Niobrara stockman at the time of the shooting. Prior to the shooting, Merritt had driven a herd of hogs past the Titus place. On returning to his home Merritt was stopped by Titus and after heated words and against the vigorous protests of Ulrich, Titus fired a shotgun charge into Merritt's body from a distant of about 15 feet. Merritt's head was nearly severed from his body. After slaying his neighbor, Titus went into his home.
~~Killed Instantly~~
Dr. Green, Niobrara physician was summoned and after examining the body stated that Merritt's death was instantaneous.
The shooting is said to be the outcome of neighborhood differences of long standing. Titus and Merritt, although their properties adjoined each other, had been on unfriendly terms for a number of years, it was said.
Titus was seen on the streets of Niobrara a short time before he shot Merritt and seemed to be in good spirits. He is a carpenter and has been in failing health for some time.
~~Father of County Officer~~
Merritt was a well to do stockman, who feeds a number of hogs and other livestock each year. He is the father of Glen Merritt, register of deeds of Knox county.
After Merritt had fallen from his horse after being shot, Ulrich took the animal to the Merritt barn which is about one half block away.
Besides his son, Merritt is survived by his wife and two grown daughters, whose ages are between 29 and 30
Sheriff John Kellogg of Knox county, who lives at Center, was summoned immediately after the shooting, arriving in Niobrara where he took Titus into his custody and removed him to the county jail at Center.
~~Titus Had Delusion~~
According to Mr. Ulrich, Titus was laboring under some kind of delusion that Merritt was opposing him. Titus made the statement that Merritt had been trying to "run over" him for some time. Just what he meant by that is not known. Just before the shooting Titus is said to have declared that Merritt made another attempt to "run over" him, but whether he meant physical dominance of run him down with a car or horse is not known.
It is believed, however, that Merritt, a good businessman, who had an excellent reputation, would do neither.
The general belief is that Titus' mind, due to advanced age and ill health, had become somewhat deranged.--Norfolk Daily News
~~Wife Tried To Quiet Him~~
Mrs. Titus also tried to quiet him and before the shooting told Ulrich: "I can do nothing with him."
Mrs. Titus is prostrated over the affair and for sometime after the tragedy her life was said to be in danger.
The whole community is greatly shocked by the regrettable occurrence, which, it is said, could have been avoided by a display of a little tolerance and reasoning.
When taken into custody Titus said: "It was either me get Merritt or Merritt get me." Merritt was unarmed, however.
Funeral Of Slain Niobrara Man Held
Body of August Merritt is Laid at Rest at Creighton
Creighton, Neb., Nov 14--Special to the News: The body of August Merritt, who was murdered near his home in Niobrara, Friday evening by Roy Titus, was brought to Creighton at 11 o'clock Monday morning and the funeral held from the Congregational church at 11:15, the Rev. Mr. DeBenham of Spencer having charge of the services. Mr. Merritt was well known in Creighton having resided on a farm east of Creighton for several years, prior to moving to Niobrara. He is survived by his wife, one son and two daughters.--Norfolk Daily News
Extracted from: The Verdigre Citizen 18 Nov 1926
Bios contributed by Find A Grave Member #47075564
Niobrara Carpenter Slays His Neighbor
Roy Titus, 70, Shoots And Instantly Kills A. Merritt, Stockman
Niobrara, Neb. Nov. 13--Special to the News: A. Merritt about 60 years old, prominent resident of this place, was shot and instantly killed by Roy Titus, 70, his neighbor, who fired a shotgun at the former as he rode by the Titus house on the south edge of town last evening about 6 o'clock.
Merritt was in company of Frank Ulrich, well known Niobrara stockman at the time of the shooting. Prior to the shooting, Merritt had driven a herd of hogs past the Titus place. On returning to his home Merritt was stopped by Titus and after heated words and against the vigorous protests of Ulrich, Titus fired a shotgun charge into Merritt's body from a distant of about 15 feet. Merritt's head was nearly severed from his body. After slaying his neighbor, Titus went into his home.
~~Killed Instantly~~
Dr. Green, Niobrara physician was summoned and after examining the body stated that Merritt's death was instantaneous.
The shooting is said to be the outcome of neighborhood differences of long standing. Titus and Merritt, although their properties adjoined each other, had been on unfriendly terms for a number of years, it was said.
Titus was seen on the streets of Niobrara a short time before he shot Merritt and seemed to be in good spirits. He is a carpenter and has been in failing health for some time.
~~Father of County Officer~~
Merritt was a well to do stockman, who feeds a number of hogs and other livestock each year. He is the father of Glen Merritt, register of deeds of Knox county.
After Merritt had fallen from his horse after being shot, Ulrich took the animal to the Merritt barn which is about one half block away.
Besides his son, Merritt is survived by his wife and two grown daughters, whose ages are between 29 and 30
Sheriff John Kellogg of Knox county, who lives at Center, was summoned immediately after the shooting, arriving in Niobrara where he took Titus into his custody and removed him to the county jail at Center.
~~Titus Had Delusion~~
According to Mr. Ulrich, Titus was laboring under some kind of delusion that Merritt was opposing him. Titus made the statement that Merritt had been trying to "run over" him for some time. Just what he meant by that is not known. Just before the shooting Titus is said to have declared that Merritt made another attempt to "run over" him, but whether he meant physical dominance of run him down with a car or horse is not known.
It is believed, however, that Merritt, a good businessman, who had an excellent reputation, would do neither.
The general belief is that Titus' mind, due to advanced age and ill health, had become somewhat deranged.--Norfolk Daily News
~~Wife Tried To Quiet Him~~
Mrs. Titus also tried to quiet him and before the shooting told Ulrich: "I can do nothing with him."
Mrs. Titus is prostrated over the affair and for sometime after the tragedy her life was said to be in danger.
The whole community is greatly shocked by the regrettable occurrence, which, it is said, could have been avoided by a display of a little tolerance and reasoning.
When taken into custody Titus said: "It was either me get Merritt or Merritt get me." Merritt was unarmed, however.
Funeral Of Slain Niobrara Man Held
Body of August Merritt is Laid at Rest at Creighton
Creighton, Neb., Nov 14--Special to the News: The body of August Merritt, who was murdered near his home in Niobrara, Friday evening by Roy Titus, was brought to Creighton at 11 o'clock Monday morning and the funeral held from the Congregational church at 11:15, the Rev. Mr. DeBenham of Spencer having charge of the services. Mr. Merritt was well known in Creighton having resided on a farm east of Creighton for several years, prior to moving to Niobrara. He is survived by his wife, one son and two daughters.--Norfolk Daily News
Extracted from: The Verdigre Citizen 18 Nov 1926
Bios contributed by Find A Grave Member #47075564
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