This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Biss, Allen, Roberts Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/gFC.2ACI/1499.3 Message Board Post: Jayme; I found the story of the murder of James Biss in the July 4 1877 Menomonie Times Newspaper. The James Biss Murder This has proved to be one of the most cold blooded and cowardly murders that could have been conccted bh the worst of cut throats. On last Saturday, one week ago, Biss started to go to Mr. L. Sutliff's (?) about three miles from home, on horseback, and when about threefourths of a mile o the way, was shot by some person lying in ambush, twice, once in the back again in the breast with a shot gun loaded with fine shot and slugs or buck shot; one of which pierced the heart and five passed through the lung--twelve large shot entering the body. He must have died instantly upon the second shot. His wife hearing the shots fired and knowing of threats having been made agoinst his life, despatched a man to ascertain in regard to it, who found Mr. Biss lying beside the road dead. Some of the neighbors of were summoned, the body taken home, and Justice Hull (Hall?) notified, who took the necessary steps to convene a jury and to hold an inquest which elicited nothing as regards ! who was the perpatrator of this fiendish piece of work which as yet rmains a mystery. The causes that led to this crime may be traced to the many neighborhood quarrels to which it appears Mr. Biss has beena party in one way or the other.They are a curse to any community, often resulting in litigation, personal assaults, and as in this case, murder. Mr. Biss during his residence of eleven years has had his share of difficulty with his townsmen. He was a stranger to fear, out spoken indepndent and sometimes aggressive. As a natural consequence ha had a good deal of trouble, and made many bitter enemies. Of late, he and his neighbor, Leslie Roberts, living just across the road, have been quarreling about a highway. --Frank Roberts, father of Leslie, keeps a store in the town and Biss made complaint against him for selling liquers (?) without license. When that suit was ended, Biss was arrested for assault and battery on the person of a neighbor named Allen and placed un! der $500 bonds, in default of which he was taken to jail.. He suceeded in getting bail, and returned home only a few days before his death. Five persons have been arrested and in jail awaiting their examination, which will be had soon. A reward of $250 (?) has been offered by Sheriff Moore and Dist. Atty. Bierce, for the murderer or a clue that will lead to his arrest and conviction. I should have looked at the next few papers to see if there was a followup on this case and a regular obit., but I was pressed for time before they closed the library. Sincerly, Mary Peterson

Mary, Thank you so much for the information on James Biss. You are a sweetheart!!! Happy Holidays! Jayme :-)