Old Timer's Column Bonners Ferry HeraldMarch 20, 1914
Paul Flinn
Boundary County Historian
Disputes Over Fence Ends In Killing
A longtime dispute over land boundaries led to the killing of A.S. Waterman, 72, by Andrew Aldrich, 66, at 7:30 a.m. on Monday.
The tragedy was one that appalled the entire neighborhood, and friends and relatives of both families are grief stricken over the affair.
Aldrich was given a preliminary hearing Tuesday morning in Justice of Peace Kent’s court and was bound over to the district court for trial on the charge of murder.
The Waterman and Aldrich farms adjoin on the Northside. For a number of years, there was a dispute between the two men as to the location of the line dividing the property.
Last fall Waterman had a survey made, and the line run at that time gave him a few feet of the Aldrich property.
Aldrich was not satisfied with this survey, and he and Waterman had several arguments about it.
It is claimed that early morning, Waterman set about to change the fence dividing the property so that it would run on the line set by the survey last fall.
The rest of the story has been told by Aldrich who has stated that Waterman came to the corner of his property and started to holler at him, and that he went into the house, got his rifle and shot him.
Both shots took effect. It is claimed that the first shot struck Waterman in the left shoulder. The bullet was found by Coroner Knapp lodged just under the skin on the right side of the shoulder. The bullet shattered the left shoulder, and in the opinion of the coroner, would have resulted in death.
The second bullet entered on the left side below the shoulder blade and passed through the body coming out on the right side entering the body deep enough to break the backbone.
The gloom of the tragedy of Monday settled deeply over the Aldrich family. No spirit of animosity exists between the son of the murdered man and the Aldrich family. The feelings of those most deeply concerned were touchingly portrayed when John Waterman reached his father’s postrate from Monday morning and knelt down to sob out his sorrow. One of the Aldrich boys came out, and kneeling on the opposite side of the body, grasped hands with the lone mourner and offered all consolation in his power.
Have Located A new Road
Monday of this week county commissioner Dan McColl, county surveyor Chaffins and U.S. Forest Supervisor Fitzwater located a new road from Addie to Meadowcreek, which is to be constructed this summer and which will follow route by way of Markam and Dawsons lake.
The road will cost some $5,000, half of which will be paid by the forestry department and half by the county.
The county plans to continue the road from Meadow Creek to Bonners Ferry and expects to spend $3,000 on his continuation.
McColl is also anxious to secure an appropriation for the improving of the upper road between here and Porthill.
The forestry departments wants a road from Addie to Copeland, and the county will advance as much money as the department puts up for the construction of the road.
Briefs
John R. Viley received his commission for a term of four years as postmaster of the local office on Tuesday. He took charge on Wednesday morning.
A. Klockman passed through town yesterday on his way to the Idaho-Continental Mine at Porthill from his home in Spokane.
Fore Sale—122 1/2 acres of good hay and stock ranch, four miles from town. $4,500 on easy terms. Also 10 head of cattle. Address Lock Box 311, Bonners Ferry.
W.O. Rosebaugh has moved his confectionery, soft drink and cigar and tobacco stock to his new location in the K.P. building yesterday. The new quarters have been freshly papered and painted, and Mr. Rosebaugh will have ideal quarters in his new location.
If you like to dance, be sure and come to Moravia, Saturday, March 28. Good time for everyone.