A Fatal Quarrel

RALSTON, BELL, GREGORY, TRACY, ALDEN, JOHNSON, IDE, RISTINE, NODLE, SPRING, RIPPERTON, GREEN, HOUSE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 12/1/2010 at 21:22:48

Maquoketa Record, August 31, 1898

A FATAL QUARREL
Gus Ralston Arrested for the Murder of His Brother

About 7:30 Thursday night the startling news was brought to this city that a murder had been committed about two miles west of his city on the Buckhorn road; that Augustus Ralston had killed his brother, William R. Ralston, while the two were riding toward home in a wagon.
The men live in the vicinity of Emeline and about 9:30 Sheriff Bell and Deputy Gregory, accompanied by Hugh Tracy and Fred Alden, started for Emeline with the hopes of finding them there. Not finding them, however, the officers drove to the home of William Johnson, a brother-in-law of the accused, and there found Gus Ralston with the body of his dead brother.
Ralston made no resistance, but protested his innocence, when told that he is under arrest, and the party started for Maquoketa, arriving there about 4 a.m. and the prisoner was placed in the county jail.
County Coroner Ide of Sabula was notified and Friday afternoon held an inquest over the body, with G. V. Spring, C. L. Ripperton and J. S. Green as jurors. The principal witnesses examined were Louis Nodle, Mrs. Mericle, Todd Anderson, Wesley Edson, Wray Hayes and J. L. Grant.
Mrs. Mericle was one of the most important witnesses. She stated that about six o’clock she was attracted by the noise of two persons in a wagon approaching, and that they were quarreling. That they got out of the wagon and began to fight, but soon stopped and got in the wagon. The quarrel was then renewed anf they climbed out and fought once more; that Gus took his coat and swung it and struck Will, knocking him down. He then got up on the wagon and picking up Will’s hat which was lying upon the seat, through it at him and said, “Come along, Will.” He then drove along a short distance, but seeing that his brother did not move went back and tried to arouse him, he said, “Will! Oh, Will! Wake Up!” Mr. Nodle was then found who helped Gus put his brother into the wagon in front of the seat.
The other witnesses testified to about the same state of affairs and happenings except in a few minor points.
Coroner Ide, assisted by Dr. J. O. Ristine, held an autopsy in connection with the inquest. They removed a portion of the skull of the deceased and also took out and examined his heart and liver. The liver was found much enlarged and in the brain were were great clots of blood, which showed that death was the result of a hemorrhage, produced by excessive drinking or great excitement , or both. The skull, scalp, nor any portion of the body showed evidence of violence and the only signs of the fight was a bruise on the forehead and one on the cheek.
The jury after a short consultation brought in a verdict that caused the coroner to issue the following warrant to Sheriff Bell:
State of Iowa

Ss
Jackson County
To the Sheriff of Jackson County, Iowa
In consequence of the following finding by a regular empanelled jury, that Wm. R. Ralston came to his death because of hemorrhage of the brain during or immediately following an altercation with his brother, Augustus Ralston, you are commanded to detain, and take the said Augustus Ralston before a Justice of the Peace for a preliminary hearing.
O.M.IDE, M. D.
Coroner of Jackson County

Saturday morning Ralston was brought before Justice D. F. House for examination, charged with manslaughter. He waived examination and was remanded to await the action of the grand jury, with bail fixed at $500. Hugh Tracy promptly signed the prisoner’s bond and he was released.