December
24, 1906 – Elias Jobes, a well-known farmer living near Maple
Grove, a small town three miles west of Osseo, was shot and killed this afternoon
by his brother-in-law, Clyde King, after the two had quarreled.
*
Jobes died instantly in the sight of his wife. King was immediately captured by
William Leisen, a neighbor, and taken to Osseo, where he was placed to jail.
Later he was brought to Minneapolis.
The murder has stirred Osseo and Maple Grove and a rigid investigation is
promised by those interested.
King has been living at the Jobes’ house for five weeks. During that time, they
often quarreled, but never, so far as known, did King ever attempt violence.
Today the two went to Osseo to buy Christmas presents.
While there they made the rounds of the saloons, drinking freely. When they
finally got ready to go home they bought a large bottle of whiskey. At that
time there was no sign of trouble. Both seemed to be on the best of terms.
What happened on the way home or what was said is not known. The men were
alone, and King, who is now in jail, refuses to talk, except to say he acted in
self-defense.
When the men reached their home they were in an ugly mood. They went
immediately into the house, where they met Mrs. Jobes and her three children.
Jobes attempted to order King around and the two again wrangled.
Finally Jobes attacked King. The latter defended himself as best he could with
his fists, but being weaker than his opponent, was gradually being forced to
the floor. Seeing that he was mastered and in grave danger of receiving a
severe beating, King seized a double barreled shotgun and, pointing it at
Jobes, fired both barrels.
The charges entered the latter’s breast and he fell to the floor, dead. Mrs.
Jobes and her children, who saw the tragedy, quickly went to the fallen man’s
assistance. They lifted him up, hoping to find him only slightly injured.
However, they found he was dead, and ran outside to get help. King, in the
meantime, stood beside the dead body as if stunned. He did not say a word to
his sister or the children. Apparently he was bewildered over the tragic turn
of events.
Neighbor William Leisen, a farmer living across the
road, heard the shots and ran to the house. He went inside and seeing King
standing there, made him a prisoner. King did not resist and quietly submitted
to being loaded into a wagon and taken to Osseo.
**
Marshal Meachan of that place met Leisen and his prisoner some distance out in
the country and took the latter to the village jail, where he was held.
Coroner Kistler of Minneapolis went out to view the remains of the dead man. He
will swear in a jury room and hold an inquest. Assistant County Attorney
Bernhagen was with him. He questioned the prisoner carefully and also gathered
facts from Mrs. Jobes and her children.
King is sullen, and says he acted in self-defense.
The men had not been on good terms for some time and neighbors had constantly expected
trouble between them. King came to Hennepin County five weeks ago from Tower
City, ND, to live with Jobes. He is 25 years old and single.
Mrs. Jobes is on the verge of nervous prostration as the result of the tragedy
and is under a physician’s care. The county officials will question her closely
and she will probably be the chief witness against her brother when he is taken
into court for trial.
King was brought to Minneapolis this evening by Coroner Kistler and Deputy
Prosecutor Bernhagen and will be kept here for safety.
The
Minneapolis Tribune; “Shoots
Brother-In-Law; Is Captured; Confesses. Clyde King Kills Elias Jobes Near
Osseo, Minn., in the Presence of His Victim’s Wife and Children—Assailant
Admonished for Drinking So Much—He Took Offense At Advice and Surrendered to
Wild Desire to Kill Relative.”; December 25, 1906; p. 1.
____________________________
On Feb. 13, 1907, King was found guilty of murder in the second degree, the
jury returning a verdict after an all-night session.
King was found to be sane at the time of the murder, and sentenced to hard
labor for the rest of his life at the state prison in Stillwater.
The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Killed
His Brother-In-Law. Clyde King Convicted of Murder at Minneapolis.”; February
13, 1907; p. 4.
The Minneapolis Tribune; “Not Insane,
So Goes to the State Prison”; Feb. 22, 1907; p. 7.
*Photo
taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public
domain Dec. 24, 2017, as long as acknowledgement included.
**http://maplegrovemag.com/sites/lakeminnetonkamag.com/files/styles/629w-scale/public/field/image/MPG5158OsseoWaterTower_MM_15.jpg?itok=DiSF9mXP
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