Newspaper Lewiston (Idaho) Morning Tribune
Date Tuesday, May 26, 1903
Page 6
Headline G. S. Snyder Shot His Wife, former Barry Co., MO Resident

A DOUBLE KILLING

G. S. Snyder Shot His Wife and Then Himself

JEALOUSLY (sic) WAS THE CAUSE

Couple Lived in Lewiston Until Few Days Ago, Leave Family of Four Daughters
Text At 5 o'clock Sunday evening at a point two and one-half miles from the town of Winchester on the reservation, G. S. Snyder shot his wife and then killed himself. The tragedy was witnessed by Mrs. Snyder's mother, who was unable to thwart the murderer. The murdered woman and her mother were returning to the latter's home when Snyder met them in the roadway and opened fire on his wife. Mrs. King jumped in front of the man when he first leveled the revolver and the bullet went a little wild, striking Mrs. Snyder in the arm. Snyder succeeded in firing the second shot over Mrs. King's shoulder, the bullet striking Mrs. Snyder in the back and killing her almost instantly. The murderer then placed the revolver against his breast and fired, the bullet piercing the heart and causing almost instant death.

The act of the murderer was inspired by maddened jealousy, and he followed his wife from Lewiston to commit the deed. Snyder is about 42 years of age and his wife about 38. Advices by telephone from Ilo last evening stated that the couple had been married about 19 years and that they came to Winchester from Missouri about three years ago. About two years ago, they became involved in a quarrel and at that time, Snyder struck his wife with a chair, the blow nearly causing her death. Since that time home relations have not been pleasant and last fall Mrs. Snyder went to Culdesac and opened a hotel. He followed her there and she later came to Lewiston. He also then moved to Lewiston and she decided a short time ago to seek the protection of her parents at Winchester. Snyder appeared in the neighborhood last Friday and spent the time with acquaintances. On Saturday it seems he threatened the life of John King, of Winchester, his wife's father. Later he accused his wife of infidelity and announced his purpose to kill a resident of the Winchester section if he met him. On Sunday Mrs. Snyder and her mother went to a neighbor's on a visit and it was their return homeward that the tragedy occurred.

Snyder and his family came to Lewiston last fall from Culdesac and resided at 489 East Main street until about two weeks ago, when Mrs. Snyder and three younger children, all girls, went to Winchester. The city directory gives Snyder's name as Sigle F. Snyder. He was a member of the local labor union here and during the present spring was employed a great deal of the time by the city on street work. It seems from statements made by neighbors that the husband and wife did not get along happily, and they accredit the condition to jealousy on the part of the man. It seems also that about three years ago the couple separated, but later consideration for the children again reunited them. During the past month it seems the trouble between the couple became more pronounced, and two weeks ago Mrs. Snyder decided to go to the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John King, at Winchester. From reports now in circulation it seems that after her departure, Snyder intimated to acquaintances his purpose to perform some desperate act, and there seems little doubt that prior to his departure from Lewiston he decided to kill his wife. In this connection, it is stated, Snyder before leaving the city purchased a supply of cartridges and took with him the revolver with which he committed the deed. Snyder left Lewiston Thursday morning and spent the afternoon of that day in Culdesac, where he is well known and where he conducted a hotel for a brief period several months ago.

The eldest daughter of the couple, Miss Edith Snyder, has been employed at the Bollinger hotel in this city for the past two weeks. She received the news of the awful tragedy late Sunday night and left yesterday morning for Winchester.

Snyder was an industrious man, but periodically drank excessively and he was known among his acquaintances as erratic and odd. It seems that he had frequently threatened to kill his wife and the news of the tragedy has, therefore, not been received with surprise by many of his acquaintances.

County Coroner Vasser left yesterday morning for the scene of the tragedy to hold an inquest.

Another item of the shooting

Lewiston (Idaho) Morning Tribune
Wednesday, May 27, 1903

DETAIL OF TRAGEDY
More about double Killing at Winchester
THEY DINED TOGETHER
Snyder it is Believed Had Also Intended to Kill Man Named Farr

County Coroner Clyde Vasser returned last evening from Winchester to which point he had been summoned to hold an inquest on the remains of Mr. and Mrs. G. F. Snyder, the victims of the tragedy which occurred last Sunday when Snyder shot his wife and then himself. The bodies of husband and wife were buried yesterday afternoon side by side in the cemetery at Culdesac and a large number of people attended the funeral. From Coroner Vasser further details of the murder and suicide were secured last evening.

Mrs. Snyder upon her departure from Lewiston about two weeks ago went to the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. N. King, at Winchester. A few days later Snyder arrived from Lewiston. Sunday morning Mrs. Snyder, accompanied by her mother, went to the Warren school house about one and one-half miles from Winchester, where church services and Sunday school were held. Later they went to the home of J. T. Eubanks, a cousin of Mrs. Snyder, on a visit. Snyder later appeared there and the entire party with other relatives enjoyed dinner together. Snyder sat opposite his wife and seemed in a most cheerful mood. A horse race had been arranged to take place at the ranch of C. D. King that afternoon in the neighborhood, and after dinner Mrs. Snyder and mother went to attend the race. An owner of one of the race horses was a man named Joe Farr, and it seems that Snyder had told acquaintances that the race would be the last one that Farr would run, by this remark suggesting that he intended to kill him. There was some delay in arranging the details of the race it seems and as evening was approaching Mrs. Snyder and mother decided to start on the return to Winchester. They were accompanied by Mrs. Wm. Eggert, a sister of Mrs. Snyder, and had reached a point about 150 yards from the King place, when they met Snyder in the road. He had apparently been awaiting their approach, and as the women drew near addressing his wife, he said: "Bettie, I want to talk to you." Mrs. Snyder responded: "Talk to my foot," the woman evidently not realizing the serious motive of her husband, who during the afternoon had been in such a happy condition of mind. Mrs. Snyder's reply had but been uttered when the man jerked a revolver from his pocket. Mrs. King sprang in front of him, disturbing his aim, but the first shot struck Mrs. Snyder in the left arm, shattering the bone. The wounded woman then endeavored to shield herself behind her mother, but the second shot struck her squarely in the back and she fell face downward, where she died almost instantly and without uttering a word. When his wife fell, Snyder stood for a moment looking at Mrs. King and Mrs. Eggert and then, quickly pointing the revolver against his right breast, fired. He reeled backward, then fell, and after a brief struggle was dead.

The view is held at Winchester that Snyder had planned to kill Farr and his wife at the horse race, but that the departure of the women before the race took place neccesitated a change in his plans. Snyder was insanely jealous of his wife and his deed is accredited to this jealousy.

The revolver used in the double killing was 38-calibre and was purchased in a second-hand store in Lewiston for $1.50.


Research Note: General (name, not rank) Francis Sigle SNIDER was born in Mountain Township, Barry County, Missouri on 17 August 1861, the son of Christopher SNIDER and Sarah WILSON. On 25 January 1884 he married Maria Elizabeth WATKINS in Barry County. Maria Elizabeth "Bettie" WATKINS was born 3 October 1867 in Flat Creek, Stone County, Missouri, the daughter of Reuben WATKINS and Nancy Caroline LANGSTON. She was the stepdaughter of John KING, a niece to George Reeves and Hannah Elizabeth (LANGSTON) KING, and the granddaughter of Mariah (GALLOWAY) LANGSTON. On 24 May 1903, G.F. SNIDER shot and killed Bettie in a fit of jealousy, and then turned the gun upon himself and ended his life.
Resource Lewiston, Idaho Morning Tribune
Submitted by Carol L. Hattrup