A YOUNG MAN (Frank P. Dick), AFRAID OF BURGLARS, SHOOTS AND INSTANTLY KILLS HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW (Lavina Noecker)
 

Richland Co., Ohio

 
 

Newspaper Articles

 
- - - - - -

A YOUNG MAN (Frank P. Dick), AFRAID OF BURGLARS, SHOOTS AND INSTANTLY KILLS HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW (Lavina Noecker)

OHIO LIBERAL:  18 July 1883

 
 
 

Submitted by Amy

 

A YOUNG MAN, AFRAID OF BURGLARS, SHOOTS AND INSTANTLY KILLS HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW.  BUCYRUS, OHIO, JULY 13 – A distressing tragedy occurred in Dallas township, about eight miles south-west of this city, last night, in which an aged and respected lady lost her life.  Benjamin and Lavina Noecker made their home with their son-in-law, Frank P. Dick.  At about eleven o’clock, Mrs. Noecker had occasion to pass out into the back yard, and her absence from the house was unknown to the other members of the family.  Dick heard her return and endeavor to open the kitchen door.  He had some reason to fear burglars, and hearing the noise, demanded who was there.  Mrs. Noecker was, unfortunately, very deaf, and did not hear the demand.  The night was extremely dark, and Dick, unable to see more than the outlines of a figure, fired after a second demand had failed to elicit a reply.  The charge from the weapon, a shot gun, took effect in the victim’s left breast, penetrating the heart, and killing her instantly.  The family were naturally overwhelmed with grief and horror when the evidence of the terrible mistake became apparent.  The coroner was notified and made an informal investigation.  The evidence was convincing that the affair was simply the result of misapprehension, and the official decided that a formal inquest was unnecessary.  The family are comparative strangers in this county, having emigrated from the vicinity of Shelby, Richland county, last fall.  They are, however, highly spoken of by their neighbors.


<< Back to Newspaper Article Index

<< Back to the Richland Co., Ohio Index