1947-06-15-sr-p28-magella-surber-shot-dead
June 15, 1947 Spokesman-Review Page 28:
SHOTGUN BLAST KILLS TEACHER
Nephew Mistakes Aged Woman for Marauding Skunk.
DAVENPORT, Wash., June 14. Mrs. Magella Surber, about 75, a pioneer teacher of Lincoln county and resident of the Reardan district more than 50 years, was shot and killed early last night by a nephew, John Hostetter, 60, of Butte, the sheriff's office ‘reported,
Hostetter fired a shotgun charge into moving grass, thinking it was a skunk which had been killing poultry on the Surber ranch in recent weeks. Deputy Coroner Floyd J. Underwood said the man told him.
The deputy and Sheriff Frank C. Rambo were continuing an investigation today and had not decided this morning on whether an inquest will be held, No charge has been filed, they said.
The grass was tall and Mrs, Surber was wearing dark clothing which would make it difficult to see her, the officers said. The incident occurred at about 7:30 p. m., they said.
Just Back From Trip.
John C. Surber, husband of the victim; Mrs, Surber and the nephew had been on a fishing trip and had returned to the Surber ranch, Sunset View, shortly before the shooting, the officers reported. Surber and Hostetter related that they both thought Mrs. Surber had retired to her room because she had said she was tired from the day’s excursion.
While sitting near a window, the two continued, they saw a movement in the tall grass some distance from the house and thought it might be skunks which had invaded the ranch poultry flocks on several occasions.
Surber took a shotgun, he said, and Hostetter a .22 rifle and they, went outside, Hostetter later taking the shotgun when it appeared his position overlooking the area in which the movement had been detected was more advantageous.
Single Shot Fired.
Hostetter fired one shot. What movement there had been ceased, they told the officers, and when Surber went to investigate he found his wife dead, shot in the head.
Prosecuting Attorney Fred G. Campbell was out of the city, but his law partner and the deputy coroner and Sheriff Randall immediately took over the investigation.
No funeral arrangements have been made. Besides her husband, Mrs. Surber is believed to be survived only by several sisters in the east. They had no children.
Mrs. Surber was one of the earliest rural teachers in Lincoln county. She came from Michigan and taught in the district before her marriage 50 years ago.
The Surbers observed their 50th wedding anniversary May 24 and more than 300 attended an open house at Sunset View, their home since their marriage. Among the guests were 100 of her former school pupils.
She taught at Lancaster in Whitman county in district 1, Lincoln) county, on Bald ridge, northeast of Davenport; at Spring Creek, north of Reardan, and at West Crescent and Coulee.
