Murder in Gales

Book excerpt: This is a true murder mystery involving two families, the Lufkins and the Roses, who were neighbors living in southwestern Minnesota in the late 1800s. William Rose fell in love with Lufkins beautiful daughter, Grace, but her father put a stop to the budding romance. This sparked the bitter feud between the families. In the spring of 1888, Moses Lufkin sold his farm and moved in with his niece, Fannie Slover and her family. They lived in Gales Township in Redwood County. On the evening of August 22, 1888, Moses was conversing with the Slover family while seated on a lounge with his back against the window. Suddenly a shot was heard and Lufkin placed his hand on his heart, collapsed, and was dead within minutes. Eli Slover rushed to the window, saw a man fleeing the scene, and thought it was William Rose. Two days later Rose was arrested. The evidence presented was entirely circumstantial, and Rose was acquitted at the first two trials. At the third trial, the jury brought in a guilty verdict, and Judge Webber sentenced Rose to hang. Appeals to the highest courts were made, but to no avail. Governor Merriam sets the date of execution for October 16, 1891. At the gallows, Rose gives his last speech, declaring his innocence; stating Eli Slover is the man to watch. At 5 am Sheriff Charlie Mead pulls the lever, a crash is heard, and Roses body lies in a heap on the floor; the rope had snapped in two. The deputies pick up Roses limp body, carry him to the gallows, and adjust another noose around his neck. The trap gets sprung a second time and this time the rope holds, launching Roses spirit into eternity.