Sam Denkman

DENKMAN, AUTEN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/5/2019 at 09:45:46

1 August 1902 - Lowden News

Monday morning about 8:30 Eli Auten shot and killed his son-in-law, Sam Denkman, on their farm about two and a half miles southeast of Stanwood. Mr. Auten is an old man 75 years of age, and for the past ten years, he has not been right. He and Mr. Denkman had some family trouble and the old man seemed to be worse on Monday morning. Mr. Denkman and his hired man, Harold E. Woodruff, had the old man in a room and were trying to lock the door to lock him in when the old man fired a 38-calibre revolver through the door, the ball entering Mr. Denkman's head behind the right ear, killing him instantly. The old man then fired a second shot, the ball grazing Woodruff's left arm. Woodruff ran away and got out of range. He called for help and word was sent for a doctor and help to overpower Auten. It took four men to overpower him and they did not until Dr. Baker gave him a blow on the head with a stick of wood, when they were able to disarm and tie him with ropes. After being tied he was taken to Stanwood, and Dr. Baker dressed the wound inflicted by the stick of wood. Later Sheriff Ellison and his deputy took charge of Auten and took him to Tipton.