Murder of W.E. Frazier, 1883

FRAZIER, FRAZER, KAMPMEYER, CAMPMEYER, BATES, GOODRICH

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 2/12/2017 at 13:51:03

Last Saturday evening our neighboring town of Guttenberg was the scene of one of those sad occurrences in which a man allows his passion to get the better of his good judgement, and stained his hands with the blood of a fellow man.

In this case the victim was W. E. Frazier, a former resident of this county, but who resided near Glenhaven, Wis., while his assailant was John Kampmeyer, a citizen of Guttenberg, who has always borne the reputation of being a quiet peaceable citizen, and the impression prevails that he struck the fatal blow in self defense. The particulars of this sad tragedy, as near as we can learn them are as follows:

Frazier and Kampmeyer had trouble and a quarrel some time ago about some corn which had been stolen from Kampmeyer, and on Saturday evening Frazier, accompanied by his two brothers-in-law, Albert and Martin Bates, drove out to the north end of town where Kampmeyer was working, and Frazier and one of his brothers-in-law got out of the wagon, Frazier demanding of Kampmeyer that he retract something he had said in regard to him, Frazier. Hot words and some blows passed between them, when Kampmeyer raised a spade which he had in his hands and struck Frazier in the head, inflicting injuries from which he shortly died.

On learning the result of his blow, Kampmeyer went to the office of Justice Goodrich and gave himself into custody, claiming that he did the deed in self defense. A coroner's jury was impaneled and held an inquest, but we have not yet learned their verdict. Kampmeyer has not yet been placed in confinement. The remains of Mr. Frazier were taken to Springville, this county, for interment, on Tuesday. He leaves a wife and four children in poor circumstances.

Elkader Register, Fri., 26 Oct. 1883

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Discharged- We understand that Mr. Kampmeyer, who killed the man Frazier, at Guttenberg, had a preliminary examination before a Justice, and was discharged, no one appearing to prosecute.

Elkader Register, Fri., 2 Nov. 1883

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We understand that Kampmeyer, who killed Frazer, near Guttenberg some weeks since, and who was discharged on preliminary examination at Guttenberg, came to Elkader yesterday, and after waiving examination gave bonds to await the action of the grand jury.

Elkader Register, Fri., 16 Nov. 1883

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District Court:
The district court completed its labors on Saturday evening last, having pretty thoroughly cleaned up its calendar. The work done since our last issue was the trial of the case of the State vs Henry Campmeyer, for the killing of Frazier, at Guttenberg, some months ago. The jury was out about ten hours, and returned a verdict of, "not guilty".

Elkader Register, Fri., 1 Feb. 1884