VALLIER, Everett

BOYCE, VALLIER, MORGAN

Posted By: Elaine Harrington (email)
Date: 11/12/2006 at 23:19:40

OPINION-TRIBUNE
DATED WED., JULY 25, 1923

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY
IN WEST OAK TWP.
WEDNESDAY A.M.

Everett Vallier Shoots Mrs. Edwin
Boyce and Her Daughter Irene

E. VALLIER COMMITS SUICIDE

Out on Bond for Alleged Statutory
Offense---Leaves Wife and Five
Children---Inquest Will be Held Thursday

The poet was right when he said "The joys and sorrows of life chase one another like the waves of the deep." The newspaper man must chronicle both and in a measure share in the joy or the sorrow. In West Oak township about four miles north of our city a tragedy was enacted at about 10:45 this morning at which time Everett Vallier, a West Oak farmer who was out under bond for an alleged statutory offense preferred by the Boyce family, drove to the Edwin Boyce home. Mr. Boyce was in the house and his wife and daughter Irene were on the back porch washing. Vallier fired five shots from a 25 caliber pistol through the door at them, two of the shots entering the wringer, one passed through the left knee of Mrs. Boyce, the other two piercing the right limb and hip of the daughter. The then turned and ran to his car.

Mr. Boyce hearing the shots hastily procured a gun and started in pursuit. When Vallier reached his car he drove down the road a short distance and stopped where it is thought he stepped out on the running board and fired the shot that killed him instantly, one entering the forehead and the other the breast. When found he was lying face downward with the pistol under him. The authorities in Glenwood were notified at once. Dr. Caughlan, a coroner, and Deputy Sheriff Carl Morgan and County Atty. Carl Cook were dispatched immediately to the scene of the tragedy. They ordered the body brought to Myers undertaking parlors to await the inquest which will be held Thursday. Vallier was a married man and leaves a wife and five children. He was a neighbor of Edwin Boyce and had been arrested Monday in Pacific Junction by Sheriff DeMoss and had been released Tuesday on $1,000 bod to appear in Council Bluffs this Wednesday morning to answer for the charge against him.

Vallier and family moved to the West Oak neighborhood from Colorado some two years ago. It is said he belongs to a splendid family, his father being a wealthy farmer residing northeast of Council Bluffs.

Mrs. Boyce and daughter are reported to be doing nicely and not in a serious condition.

NOTE: Irene Boyce died from the injuries on July 28, 1923. Her obituary can be found here in the Mills County obituaries.