Murder In Montezuma

OLIVER, QUAINTANCE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 1/18/2014 at 15:56:17

The Brooklyn (IA) Chronicle
June 1918

MURDER IN MONTEZUMA

William E. Oliver, a young farmer near Montezuma was instantly killed last Thursday morning by Cecil Quaintance, the 16-yars old son of a neighbor.

Young Quaintance was indicted a few weeks ago for stealing a neighbor's horse and was out on bond awaiting trial. On going to his barn Thursday morning, Mr. Oliver found the boy in the barn. The boy ran outside, grabbed his shot gun and fired both barrels at Mr. Oliver, hitting in the head and chest, and killing him instantly. The murderer then reloaded his gun and tried to shoot Mrs. Oliver, who had run to the scene of the tragedy. The gun missed fire and Mrs. Oliver ran to a neighbor's house before the boy could reload the second time.

After being placed in jail the boy confessed to the crime. Feeling in the community was aroused to so high a pitch that Sheriff Lamb decided to remove the prisoner to another jail for safe keeping.