Yesterday afternoon a boy came riding his horse to town as fast as his horse could carry him, and brought the painful news that Nicholas Bills had killed his wife.
The particulars, as near as we could learn are as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Bills had not lived together for some years, the former residing here with his younger children and the latter in the East. Lately, Mrs. Bills came out to Oregon for the purpose of seeing her family. She had been stopping at her daughter's - Mrs. Robert Dinsmore- about twelve miles from this city, near the Sandy Wagon Road.
About two months ago, when she first came out here, she and Mr. Bills had a quarrel. An elder brother had left the paternal roof some time ago and was staying with his sister, Mrs. Dunsmore. The father was so cross that the young man thought he could do better away from home.
There were three children at home, Jacob, 16 years old, a girl 12, and the youngest, a boy 10.
On the morning of the tragedy, Mr. Bills sent his youngest boy to Dinsmore's to tell the older brother to come home. The boy came back and told his father that the elder brother had refused. Mr. Bills and his son Jacob were building a fence about a quarter mile from the house.
After eating dinner, Mr. Bills went down to Dinsmore's house and came back and got his shotgun and bowie knife, and again proceeded to Dinsmore's house. Immediately upon entering, he shot his wife twice in the stomach and then stabbed her with the knife. It was done so suddenly that the inmates had no time to interfere.
The elder brother grabbed the shotgun out of his father's hand and clubbed it over his head. The father immediately fled.
Our informant was the son of the murdered and murderer, and arrived in town about 4 o'clock, having left Mr.Dinsmore's house about 2.
He was in such an excited state that it was impossible to learn any definite particulars. He said as he left he saw his sister washing the body of her murdered mother.
A warrant was immediately issued for the arrest of Bills, and the Sheriff sent one of his deputies in pursuit. Up to the time of going to press no arrests were made.
The following is a description of Bills; about 53-60 years of age, 6', 1" in height, high cheekbones, weighs about 180 pounds, has no beard or whiskers, and face kept smoothly shaven, dark blue eyes, and speaks fair English.
On the following night, Mr. Bills committed suicide after leaving a letter addressed to the Editor of the Mountaineer stating the cause of his actions.
Grant County News, Canyon City, Oregon June 12, 1880
The Dalles Times, June 1, 1880. Historic Oregon Newspapers
Added by: Pam R. on 6 Feb 2013
==
Born in Prussia to Unknown Parents
==
m. Mary C. (Unknown) Bills
Children:
Mary C.
Nicholas
Barbara
Margreth
Eva
Libbie
Christian
Jacob
Katie
Adam
Louisa/Louise
Henry
==
Came to Mosier in 1875 per their daughter Barbara's obituary.=
=
U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules Index about Nicholas Bills
Surname: Nicholas Bills
Year: 1880
County: Wasco CO.
State: OR
Age: 45
Gender: M (Male)
Month of Death: Jun
State of Birth: Gr
ID#: MRT197_24994
Occupation: FARMER
Cause of Death: SUICIDE
The particulars, as near as we could learn are as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Bills had not lived together for some years, the former residing here with his younger children and the latter in the East. Lately, Mrs. Bills came out to Oregon for the purpose of seeing her family. She had been stopping at her daughter's - Mrs. Robert Dinsmore- about twelve miles from this city, near the Sandy Wagon Road.
About two months ago, when she first came out here, she and Mr. Bills had a quarrel. An elder brother had left the paternal roof some time ago and was staying with his sister, Mrs. Dunsmore. The father was so cross that the young man thought he could do better away from home.
There were three children at home, Jacob, 16 years old, a girl 12, and the youngest, a boy 10.
On the morning of the tragedy, Mr. Bills sent his youngest boy to Dinsmore's to tell the older brother to come home. The boy came back and told his father that the elder brother had refused. Mr. Bills and his son Jacob were building a fence about a quarter mile from the house.
After eating dinner, Mr. Bills went down to Dinsmore's house and came back and got his shotgun and bowie knife, and again proceeded to Dinsmore's house. Immediately upon entering, he shot his wife twice in the stomach and then stabbed her with the knife. It was done so suddenly that the inmates had no time to interfere.
The elder brother grabbed the shotgun out of his father's hand and clubbed it over his head. The father immediately fled.
Our informant was the son of the murdered and murderer, and arrived in town about 4 o'clock, having left Mr.Dinsmore's house about 2.
He was in such an excited state that it was impossible to learn any definite particulars. He said as he left he saw his sister washing the body of her murdered mother.
A warrant was immediately issued for the arrest of Bills, and the Sheriff sent one of his deputies in pursuit. Up to the time of going to press no arrests were made.
The following is a description of Bills; about 53-60 years of age, 6', 1" in height, high cheekbones, weighs about 180 pounds, has no beard or whiskers, and face kept smoothly shaven, dark blue eyes, and speaks fair English.
On the following night, Mr. Bills committed suicide after leaving a letter addressed to the Editor of the Mountaineer stating the cause of his actions.
Grant County News, Canyon City, Oregon June 12, 1880
The Dalles Times, June 1, 1880. Historic Oregon Newspapers
Added by: Pam R. on 6 Feb 2013
==
Born in Prussia to Unknown Parents
==
m. Mary C. (Unknown) Bills
Children:
Mary C.
Nicholas
Barbara
Margreth
Eva
Libbie
Christian
Jacob
Katie
Adam
Louisa/Louise
Henry
==
Came to Mosier in 1875 per their daughter Barbara's obituary.=
=
U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules Index about Nicholas Bills
Surname: Nicholas Bills
Year: 1880
County: Wasco CO.
State: OR
Age: 45
Gender: M (Male)
Month of Death: Jun
State of Birth: Gr
ID#: MRT197_24994
Occupation: FARMER
Cause of Death: SUICIDE
Yesterday afternoon a boy came riding his horse to town as fast as his horse could carry him, and brought the painful news that Nicholas Bills had killed his wife.
The particulars, as near as we could learn are as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Bills had not lived together for some years, the former residing here with his younger children and the latter in the East. Lately, Mrs. Bills came out to Oregon for the purpose of seeing her family. She had been stopping at her daughter's - Mrs. Robert Dinsmore- about twelve miles from this city, near the Sandy Wagon Road.
About two months ago, when she first came out here, she and Mr. Bills had a quarrel. An elder brother had left the paternal roof some time ago and was staying with his sister, Mrs. Dunsmore. The father was so cross that the young man thought he could do better away from home.
There were three children at home, Jacob, 16 years old, a girl 12, and the youngest, a boy 10.
On the morning of the tragedy, Mr. Bills sent his youngest boy to Dinsmore's to tell the older brother to come home. The boy came back and told his father that the elder brother had refused. Mr. Bills and his son Jacob were building a fence about a quarter mile from the house.
After eating dinner, Mr. Bills went down to Dinsmore's house and came back and got his shotgun and bowie knife, and again proceeded to Dinsmore's house. Immediately upon entering, he shot his wife twice in the stomach and then stabbed her with the knife. It was done so suddenly that the inmates had no time to interfere.
The elder brother grabbed the shotgun out of his father's hand and clubbed it over his head. The father immediately fled.
Our informant was the son of the murdered and murderer, and arrived in town about 4 o'clock, having left Mr.Dinsmore's house about 2.
He was in such an excited state that it was impossible to learn any definite particulars. He said as he left he saw his sister washing the body of her murdered mother.
A warrant was immediately issued for the arrest of Bills, and the Sheriff sent one of his deputies in pursuit. Up to the time of going to press no arrests were made.
The following is a description of Bills; about 53-60 years of age, 6', 1" in height, high cheekbones, weighs about 180 pounds, has no beard or whiskers, and face kept smoothly shaven, dark blue eyes, and speaks fair English.
On the following night, Mr. Bills committed suicide after leaving a letter addressed to the Editor of the Mountaineer stating the cause of his actions.
Grant County News, Canyon City, Oregon June 12, 1880
The Dalles Times, June 1, 1880. Historic Oregon Newspapers
Added by: Pam R. on 6 Feb 2013
==
Born in Prussia to Unknown Parents
==
m. Mary C. (Unknown) Bills
Children:
Mary C.
Nicholas
Barbara
Margreth
Eva
Libbie
Christian
Jacob
Katie
Adam
Louisa/Louise
Henry
==
Came to Mosier in 1875 per their daughter Barbara's obituary.=
=
U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules Index about Nicholas Bills
Surname: Nicholas Bills
Year: 1880
County: Wasco CO.
State: OR
Age: 45
Gender: M (Male)
Month of Death: Jun
State of Birth: Gr
ID#: MRT197_24994
Occupation: FARMER
Cause of Death: SUICIDE
The particulars, as near as we could learn are as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Bills had not lived together for some years, the former residing here with his younger children and the latter in the East. Lately, Mrs. Bills came out to Oregon for the purpose of seeing her family. She had been stopping at her daughter's - Mrs. Robert Dinsmore- about twelve miles from this city, near the Sandy Wagon Road.
About two months ago, when she first came out here, she and Mr. Bills had a quarrel. An elder brother had left the paternal roof some time ago and was staying with his sister, Mrs. Dunsmore. The father was so cross that the young man thought he could do better away from home.
There were three children at home, Jacob, 16 years old, a girl 12, and the youngest, a boy 10.
On the morning of the tragedy, Mr. Bills sent his youngest boy to Dinsmore's to tell the older brother to come home. The boy came back and told his father that the elder brother had refused. Mr. Bills and his son Jacob were building a fence about a quarter mile from the house.
After eating dinner, Mr. Bills went down to Dinsmore's house and came back and got his shotgun and bowie knife, and again proceeded to Dinsmore's house. Immediately upon entering, he shot his wife twice in the stomach and then stabbed her with the knife. It was done so suddenly that the inmates had no time to interfere.
The elder brother grabbed the shotgun out of his father's hand and clubbed it over his head. The father immediately fled.
Our informant was the son of the murdered and murderer, and arrived in town about 4 o'clock, having left Mr.Dinsmore's house about 2.
He was in such an excited state that it was impossible to learn any definite particulars. He said as he left he saw his sister washing the body of her murdered mother.
A warrant was immediately issued for the arrest of Bills, and the Sheriff sent one of his deputies in pursuit. Up to the time of going to press no arrests were made.
The following is a description of Bills; about 53-60 years of age, 6', 1" in height, high cheekbones, weighs about 180 pounds, has no beard or whiskers, and face kept smoothly shaven, dark blue eyes, and speaks fair English.
On the following night, Mr. Bills committed suicide after leaving a letter addressed to the Editor of the Mountaineer stating the cause of his actions.
Grant County News, Canyon City, Oregon June 12, 1880
The Dalles Times, June 1, 1880. Historic Oregon Newspapers
Added by: Pam R. on 6 Feb 2013
==
Born in Prussia to Unknown Parents
==
m. Mary C. (Unknown) Bills
Children:
Mary C.
Nicholas
Barbara
Margreth
Eva
Libbie
Christian
Jacob
Katie
Adam
Louisa/Louise
Henry
==
Came to Mosier in 1875 per their daughter Barbara's obituary.=
=
U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules Index about Nicholas Bills
Surname: Nicholas Bills
Year: 1880
County: Wasco CO.
State: OR
Age: 45
Gender: M (Male)
Month of Death: Jun
State of Birth: Gr
ID#: MRT197_24994
Occupation: FARMER
Cause of Death: SUICIDE
Gravesite Details
Believed to be buried in this cemetery but headstone not found in March 2013
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