| Notes |
- Terrible Murder
A Former Resident of Wayland Murders his Wife in a Fit of Desperation
A report was circulated on our streets last week to the effect that Nicholas Bill, a former resident of the town of Wayland, but lately residing in The Dallas, Oregon, had murdered his wife and then commit suicide to escape the penalty of the law. Monday evening in the company with C. Dick, we visited Christian Bill, father of the above-mentioned Nicholas Bill, who lives by the side of the bullhead pond on the road between this village and Wayland, and from him received the letters published below, which will explain the situation of affairs to a certain extent. The first letter written to Jacob Werdein of Perkinsville as follows:
The Dalles, June 1st, 1880.
Estimable Friend, Jacob Werdein: - I take the liberty to ask of you a favor, and sincerely hope that you will perform it, namely, Be so kind as to read the enclosed letter directed to my father, and you will ascertain what I have done, then take the letter to my father, read it to him and console him in the best conceivable way. Beg of him not to be provoked, for I could not do otherwise. As I learned this morning, and I am therefore prepared now to die willingly. Ere the sun shall make its appearance over my head I will be a corpse also, and perhaps before it goes down to-night. I will not allow myself to be brought to justice. What for? I am considered in the world as a murderer, and death is certain, but nevertheless I hope that God will not look upon me as such, for he alone knows the sufferings I have endured. No human being is aware of what hardship and misery I have stood for the past nine years. I beg of you all, my friends, relatives and acquaintances, be not irritated for my deed is irrevocable. Jacob, you know what I have endured while with you and here. While here she was a greater plaque than formerly, for she coaxed and misled the children. The oldest of my boys has also left me since last Sunday. He was in the house at the fatal moment. I hope no one will ever be so unfortunate as to witness such an instance. These few lines I am writing in a woods, a wilderness, where no one can find me. I am to-day closely watched and sharply looked for by three sheriffs and perhaps more. I was at a neighbor's house about two hours ago. Live well, live well, for you never will hear from me again. Farwell to all until your death. From your friend, Nicholas Bill.
The Second letter needs no explanation:
The Dalles, May 31, 1880
Dear Father, Brothers and Sisters, and All Acquaintances: - With blood-stained hands and clothing, and at the same time as a murderer, I pick up this pen and send my farewell greeting for I murdered this afternoon the Wretch, May God forgive me, for his alone knows the extent of my sufferings. I am present sitting in the woods from where I write to inform you of the sad news. Would God that I could see you all once more, but that cannot be. Before you receive this letter, I think I will rest in the lap of the cool earth, for I will not give myself up to justice. My God console you for my bringing you such disgrace, but father, I could not do otherwise; for yesterday Christian also left me, and to-day I went to him and asked if he was not coming back to my home, and he responded with a no; whereupon I asked him for what reason and he said, because I had sued his mother, and consequently he desired to support her. An furthermore, he said I had driven him around as a dog long enough and was not disposed to submit to it any longer. This had a tendency to create great sadness and also made me very angry. Then upon my way home I perceived the "wretch" in company with Barbara slowly stealing along to ascertain what Barbara's husband, Christian and myself were contemplating, then I came to the conclusion to murder her, and immediately went home, took my revolver, shot gun and dagger, returned again and found them (Christian, Barbara, and the "wretch") sitting at the table, whereupon I fired four or five times at the "wretch." How often the shots took effect I do not know. Then I stabbed her in the breast and side until she fall to the floor. In the meantime, Christian gave me a tremendous blow across the head with the stock of my gun, causing the flow of blood and very nearly brought me to the floor, and then he ran off to call Barbara's husband. Nevertheless, that I know that she is dead I will die willingly. My life has been one sadness and a great burden ever since the "wretch" has made her appearance, and since then I never had an rest day or night, and therefore think myself better off dead than alive. It is of course a disgrace to the family, but I beg of you all not to get angry but forgive and pardon me from the bottom of your hearts. I can now also repeat the old prayer "Through deep misery I cry to thee, O Lord; listen to my supplications, etc." If I could have thought so nine years ago my children would at present possess a nice little fortune, but as it is I think not much will remain. I was at work enclosing my land with a fence but how it will proceed I am not aware of. My fruit is in very good condition.
Dear father, one thing more I wish to call your attention to. Should you at your death leave any property my me, be so kind and will it to Jacob, Catherine and Adam, for I do not wish to have any bequeathed to Christian or any of the remaining children except the three younger ones. I made my testament about fourteen days ago and bequeathed everything to my four smallest children. I do not think I ever could get my property again which lays in the city, that is as long as I am living. Dear Father, I do leave here a host of good friends such as I had when living near you but all my good friends cannot help me, but may God forgive my miserable sin. May you all live well till I see you again in the next world. God stand by you all.
From your son - Nicholas Bill
From friends of the unfortunate man, we have been able to learn these facts: Twenty-five years ago, Nicholas Bill married May Bill, and the second year after they were married, she left him for a time but finally came back. About nine years ago she again left him, and began suit to obtain possession of the property, which was continued until the property was used up. He then moved to Pennsylvania, taking his children — some eight or more — except the oldest girl. His wife followed him, and finding it unpleasant to be near here, he about five years ago went to Oregon. Some of his friends advised him not to take his children so far west, but to settle in one of the more eastern states, but his reply was that he would go to the ends of the earth where he could live at peace with his children. He purchased a lot of land and was in the prospering finely, when last April his wife made her mind to follow him, and in company with a cousin who had lately come from Germany, she went to him. What his life has been since her arrival can be surmised from his letter. Matters evidently had gone from bad to worse, until in a fit of desperation he stained his hands with her blood and put the brand of Cain on his own forehead. His friends here were at first inclined to doubt that he had added the crime of suicide to his greater crime, but the following from the Police News of June 24 dispels all doubt in the matter:
Nicholas Bills who brutally murdered his wife at the house of his son-in-law, of Moshler Creek, Wasco County, Oregon, and then fled, was found in his house June 4th, dead having, shot himself with a pistol. Lying on the bed and placing the muzzle of the pistol under his left ear, he fired, blowing out his brains. Near the body a letter was found, explaining the motive of the murder of his wife and his suicide. The letter is written in German, and addressed to W. M. Hand, editor of the Dalles Mountaineer. The letter disclosed that both the murder and the suicide were premeditated and were caused by the thought that his wife came from the east to estrange the children from him.
This terrible transaction is a sad blow to his friends and especially to his father who is advanced in years and unable to bear the burden of woe that has suddenly been cast upon him.
We are indebted to E. M. Schuchart for a translation of the above letters from German to English.
(The Dansville Express, Dansville, New York, Thursday, June 24, 1880)
- Yesterday afternoon a boy came riding his horse to town as fast as his horse could carry him and brought the painful news that Nicholas Bills had killed his wife.
The particulars, as near as we could learn are as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Bills had not lived together for some years, the former residing here with his younger children and the latter in the East. Lately, Mrs. Bills came out to Oregon for the purpose of seeing her family. She had been stopping at her daughter's - Mrs. Robert Dinsmore- about twelve miles from this city, near the Sandy Wagon Road.
About two months ago, when she first came out here, she and Mr. Bills had a quarrel. An elder brother had left the paternal roof some time ago and was staying with his sister, Mrs. Dunsmore. The father was so cross that the young man thought he could do better away from home.
There were three children at home, Jacob, 16 years old, a girl 12, and the youngest, a boy 10.
On the morning of the tragedy, Mr. Bills sent his youngest boy to Dinsmore's to tell the older brother to come home. The boy came back and told his father that the elder brother had refused. Mr. Bills and his son Jacob were building a fence about a quarter mile from the house.
After eating dinner, Mr. Bills went down to Dinsmore's house and came back and got his shotgun and bowie knife, and again proceeded to Dinsmore's house. Immediately upon entering, he shot his wife twice in the stomach and then stabbed her with the knife. It was done so suddenly that the inmates had no time to interfere.
The elder brother grabbed the shotgun out of his father's hand and clubbed it over his head. The father immediately fled.
Our informant was the son of the murdered and murderer, and arrived in town about 4 o'clock, having left Mr.Dinsmore's house about 2.
He was in such an excited state that it was impossible to learn any definite particulars. He said as he left, he saw his sister washing the body of her murdered mother.
A warrant was immediately issued for the arrest of Bills, and the Sheriff sent one of his deputies in pursuit. Up to the time of going to press no arrests were made.
The following is a description of Bills; about 53-60 years of age, 6', 1" in height, high cheekbones, weighs about 180 pounds, has no beard or whiskers, and face kept smoothly shaven, dark blue eyes, and speaks fair English.
On the following night, Mr. Bills committed suicide after leaving a letter addressed to the Editor of the Mountaineer stating the cause of his actions.
(Grant County News, Canyon City, Oregon June 12, 1880
The Dalles Times, June 1, 1880. Historic Oregon Newspapers)
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1834 - 1880 (46 years)
