Luscher kills Martzele - 1895
LUSCHER, LUSCKE, LUSCHE, LUSHER, LUSCKER, MARDZEL, MARZDEL, MARTZELE
Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 4/13/2022 at 23:18:05
Sheriff Benton Captured a Murderer.
On Sunday evening, June 9th, 1895, in a shanty on the farm of Aug. Heiden, Jr., in Cox Creek twp., where they had engaged in a quarrel George Luscher, shot and killed his companion and fellow workman, Mathias Martzele. The murderer escaped and it is claimed that he was seen near Edgewood, but as far as known, after some search the officers allowed the matter to rest.
While the case has been slumbering however, Sheriff Benton, having some time since received a tip that he thought might prove to be useful, went to work to get the necessary papers and to find the man. Leaving Elkader about ten days ago he finally concluded that he had located his man near Millysville, Mo., a lumbering town in the southern part of that state, three miles from the Arkansas line. Although having a very imperfect description of Lusher, he heard of a man named John Bramus who might be the person wanted. Visits to the lumber mills failed, and the Sheriff determined to lay for the post office. Here for three days Mr. Benton watched until one day in came the so called John Bramus and inquired for mail for George Luscher. Sheriff Benton was on hand and tapping the man on the shoulder quietly said, "I want you." A Missouri officer was near and Luscher wilted at once. In his conversation with the sheriff Luscher admits the shooting but claims he did not know the gun was loaded.
Sheriff Benton arrived at Elkader Tuesday with his man, and the preliminary examination was held before Justice Wolf on Wednesday, Luscher being bound over to await the action of the grand jury on the charge of murder.
The return of this criminal was something of a surprise to most our people, and it is a great feather for Mr. Benton, who feels gratified that he, as Sheriff, got the first man he went after on what appeared to at first warrant but little hope of success.
Elkader Register, Fri, 20 Mar. 1896.
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Geo. Luscker, who killed Martzele, has been arraigned, and it is understood he will plead guilty to manslaughter.
Elkader Register, Fri., 10 Apr. 1896.
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In the district court last week, George Luscher, who plead guilty to manslaughter, in the killing of Mathias Matzelle, was sentenced to eight years in the penitentiary, and was taken to Anamosa by Sheriff Benton.
Elkader Register, Fri., 17 Apr. 1896
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Sheriff Benton informs us that in his recent visit to the Anamosa penitentiary he found that Geo. Luscher, the grubber, who killed his companion in Cox Creek twp., has lost his mind and is now in the insane department of the prison.
Elkader Register, Fri., 06 Nov. 1896. Local columns.
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