Semi Weekly Herald

LOVE-STRUCK WOMAN SHOOTS HIRED MAN.

Western Press.

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., Nov. 9.—Saying she would rather see him dead than leave her, Mrs. Lena Rehkugler shot and fatally wounded Joseph Watters at 9 o'clock this morning at the Rehkugler ranch home on Orchard mesa. Watters is in the hospital with three bullets in his body and doctors say he will not live.

The tragedy occurred in the kitchen of the Rehkugler home. According to the story told by Watters, who had been making his home with Mr. and Mrs. Rehkugler for the last five years, the woman was enamored of him and continued to make love to him in spite of all he could do. He declared she threatened to kill him when he wanted to leave them, and in order to prevent it hid his clothes.

Last night, according to the story told by Chris Rehkugler, husband of the woman, the three became involved in a quarrel and this morning Rehkugler told Watters he better leave the house and offered to turn over a horse to him in lieu of wages due him. This morning Watters packed up his grip and started to leave when he says Mrs. Rehkugler approached him and asked him where he was going. He told her he could stand it no longer and intended to get work elsewhere. With that she pulled a .38 caliber revolver from the folds of her dress and fired five bullets at him. Three took effect in different parts of his body.

Mrs. Rehkugler surrendered to Deputy Sheriff Watson and laughed and joked over the tragedy. Watters was taken to a hospital in Grand Junction and is in a serious condition.

Rehkugler, the husband, says his wife and Watters had been 'spooning' ever since he came to make his home with them in Cripple Creek, five years ago. He had been working and boarding there ever since. The Rehkuglers came here two years ago from Cripple Creek and Watters accompanied them. Watters is 40 years old and the woman is about the same age.