Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 1.djvu/498



and they advised him to remain and pay no attention to the threat.

One dark night some time after the expiration of the date fixed by the Regulators for him to leave, Mr. Page heard the tramp of horses near his cabin and the furious barking of his dog. He hastily barred the door, looking out of the window, saw strange men riding up near the house. Soon raps came on the door and a request for admission. He inquired who was there and what was wanted, but received no satisfaction. He could now see from the window that the house was surrounded by armed horsemen. Mrs. Page was very ill and greatly alarmed for her husband’s safety. The pounding on the door continued with threats that it would be broken down unless opened. Mr. Page told the mob of his wife’s condition and that no strangers could come into the house, he realized his danger, remembering the threats made on his life when warned to leave the country, and prepared to defend himself and protect his wife to the last. He loaded his double-barreled gun with buckshot and warned the Regulators to leave or take the consequences. After further parleying the door was broken down and Page stepped to the opening to fire upon the crowd. As soon as he stepped in sight a rifle ball pierced his body and he fell in the doorway mortally wounded. The Regulators then retreated leaving the dying man and his frantic wife. It was not believed that the Regulators engaged in this tragic affair intended to deliberately kill Mr. Page, and it was charged that the fatal shot was fired by his personal enemy, who instigated the raid on his house. The Regulators were led to believe that Page was connected with the horse thieves and expected to be able to drive him out of the country, but the young man, conscious of his own innocence, refused to be driven from his home and died in its defense.

The next victim was Peter Conklin, who had committed many crimes in Johnson County and was believed to be a