Carlisle Mercury, April 4, 1902

Killing Near Barterville

On Thursday last, about four o'clock, Carl Green, aged 18 years, shot and killed his brother, Grant Green, aged 32 years.

The killing caused considerable excitement in the community on account of the fact that one brother killed another and the good name of a wife and mother was brought into the case. At the examining trial before Judge McNew, Monday, the following evidence was adduced.

A.Q. Surrent-Am coroner of Nicholas County-held inquest on body of Grant Green who was killed last Thursday. Found wound just over the heart. Body was lying on floor in kitchen. A large pistol was lying at the dead man's feet, and a large pocket knife was in his right hand. Found over eight hundred dollars in money in his pocket.

Robert Delaney-Knew Grant and Carl Green. Was plowing in my field last Thursday afternoon when Carl Green came to where I was and said he had killed his brother Grant. Said Grant had shot at him three times and was coming at him with a knife when he fired and killed Grant. Advised Carl to come to town and give himself up to the officers.

Ed. Bell-Was plowing in the field about three quarters of a mile from where killing took place. Carl Green came to where I was and said he had killed his brother, Grant.

M.C. Jones-Had conversation with Grant in which he said he was going to move, as another man had stepped in between him and his wife-said that man was his brother , Carl. I asked him if the trouble could not be fixed up; said it could not be, and that he would not live another day with his wife; said he was not mistaken, and if I would come to his place that night and hide in a corn shock he would convince me he was not mistaken. I told him I would do nothing of that kind. I advised him to do nothing wrong and he said he would not unless they made it too hot for him. This was on Monday before the killing.

Carl Green-Am 18 years old am the brother of Grant Green, deceased. Lived at Green Feeback's. Heard my brother Artie was home from the army and was going over to my father's to see him; knew Grant was living at my father's and had been told by my father and mother and Mr. Feeback that Grant had said he was going to kill me on sight. Went to Hanson Gaunce's where the killing took place to inquire if they knew my brother Artie was at home. Maude Green, my brother's wife was at Mr. Gaunce's and she and I were in the kitchen talking but a few minutes when my brother came to the door, which was open, and begun firing at me. His wife tried to shut the door. He fired three shots before I fired. He had a knife in his hand and with it he cut at me cutting my vest and shirt before I fired. When I fired he sunk upon his knees and told me not to shoot again. I had but one cartridge in my pistol. After shooting I gave pistol to Mr. Gaunce and went to Mr. Feeback's and came to town to give myself up. My brother was about 30 years old and was a heavy man.

Cross Examined-Had lived at my brother Grant's for a year before I left the first of March to go to Mr. Feeback's. My brother was jealous of me. There had never been unlawful intimacy between my brother's wife and I. The killing did not take place at my brother's house, but at the house where he had lived until recently.

Mrs. Hanson Gaunce-Was just moving into the house where the killing took place. Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Green and myself were putting down carpet when Carl Green came in and said he wanted to see Mrs. Grant Green. They went into the kitchen and in a few minutes I saw Grant Green come running toward the house with a pistol and knife in his hand. He ran through the hall back toward the kitchen and in a moment or so I heard the shooting. Grant was tiptoeing when he went through the hall. When I ran out on the back porch following Grant, Mrs. Green was trying to shut the kitchen door and Grant was firing into the kitchen. After the killing I turned the body over on back. The knife was gripped in his right hand. Carl handed his pistol to me after he came out of the kitchen. He was wringing his hands and crying and said he had a notion to kill himself. He left in a few minutes.

Mrs. Donahue-Live near Barterville. Knew Grant and Carl Green. Had conversation with Grant two or three days before the killing. He said he believed there was unlawful intimacy between his wife and his brother Carl and that he was going to kill Carl on sight.

Berry Green-Am father of Grant and Carl Green. Grant was living at my house. Had heard Grant threaten to kill Carl several times. He told his mother and I. We pleaded with him not to do it. He said he would kill him on sight. Grant was a man of very violent temper. Carl was a boy of good temper. Hard to make mad about anything. Grant was 32 years old and heavy built. Carl is 18. Had heard Grant make threats as many as twenty times. Told Carl of the threats and advised him to keep out of his brother's way until he got over the temper.

Mrs. Maude Green-Am widow of Grant Green. Am twenty-two years old. Have been married twice. Have three children-one by first husband and two by Mr. Green. Have lived at the place where the killing took place all my life. My husband had moved from our home to his father's. Mrs. Gaunce was moving into the house and I reserved a room for myself. Saw Carl Green coming to the house-he came in the front door and asked me where Grant was. Said he wanted to see me and we walked back into the kitchen. The doors were all open. Had been in the kitchen but a minute or two when I heard someone running as if on tiptoes through the hall. It was Grant Green and he had a pistol and a knife in his hands. I grabbed the door and tried to close it but could not. He began firing at Carl and the first shot pierced close enough to my face to burn me. I ran out into the front hall and in a moment Carl came out wringing his hands and crying saying that he had killed his brother. Had heard Grant make threats to kill Carl. There had never been any criminal relations between Carl and I.

Cross Examined-Was in Carlisle Wednesday with Grant. Did not ride in with him. He told me he loved another woman. He said he knew nothing wrong of me.

William Marshall-Knew Grant and Carl Green. Was at the house where Grant Green was killed at the time of the killing. Saw Carl come to the house. Saw Grant Green come toward the house. He had a pistol and knife in his hands and a very serious look on his face. Shortly after Grant went through the hall heard three shots and Carl came out wringing his hands and crying saying he had killed his brother and had a notion to kill himself.

Bent Shaw-Live on Mr. Feeback's place. Knew Grant and Carl Green. Heard Grant threaten to kill Carl the first time they met. Said the trouble was on account of Carl and his (Grant's) wife.

Holt Shaw-Heard Grant Green say he would kill his brother, Carl on sight as he believed Carl was too intimate with his wife.

Green Feeback-Knew the Greens for years. Grant was a very high tempered man and was heavy built and strong. A few days before the killing Grant came to my farm and said he was going to kill Carl. Told him not to come to my place to raise trouble. (Carl Green was working for me.) After he left, Carl came to where I was, agitated and crying. The day of the killing Grant came to my place and asked me where my hands were. I told him Carl had gone to his father's to see his brother who had just come home from the army. Grant said if he caught Carl at his father's he would kill the damned rascal. Advised him not to do anything rash.

Eddie Green-Am 16 years old. Brother of Grant and Carl Green. Grant had been living at father's. He told me to tell Carl that he was going to kill him on sight. I told Carl to watch out, said he would try and keep out of his way. Saw Grant with pistol and knife the day he was killed.

The above is a rather abbreviated synopsis of the testimony but it gives our readers a very fair idea of the case. Upon the conclusion of the testimony Attorneys Williamson and Minogue argued the case and Judge McNew announced that he would hold the prisoner to answer to the Circuit Court and fixed his bail at $1,000 which was given.

Submitted by: Pam Hopkins Randolph

Back