----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Wis.) 07/28/1921

Haberger, George (1861? - Jul 1921)

Arthur Lube, a farmer who resided seven and a half miles southwest of here in the town of Colby, Clark County, Wis., was shot to death by his neighbor, George Haberger, when he went onto Haberger’s land to get some cows which had broken through a fence. After shooting Lube, Haberger removed his shoes, placed the muzzle of the gun at his head and with his toe pulled the trigger, killing himself instantly.

Some fifteen years ago Haberger and Lube became involved in a quarrel, which resulted in a personal encounter between the two. Haberger got the worst of it and after the hostilities has since made a vow that some day he would kill Lube. Since that time the men have been estranged and had not spoken to each other until last Friday evening when Haberger rushed from his house armed with a shot gun toward Lube, who was after the cows.

Lube’s residence is about a half-mile from where Haberger lived. The former’s land is on the south side of the road corner wise from Haberger’s on the north side further east. Lube had rented a pasture for his cattle adjoining Haberger'’ on the north and at about six o’clock Friday evening drove east past Haberger'’ house to remove his stock from the latter’s land. Haberger saw him and when Lube walked into the field from the north and south road and was within several hundred feet from Haberger’s house the latter rushed out with his shotgun.

According to the story of Lube’s 12-year-old daughter, who was with him, and John Lane, who resides across the road from the scene of the shooting, Haberger ran toward Lube with the gun pointed at him. Haberger was yelling and Lube turned and waited until he came close up. The two talked for a moment and it seemed as though Lube had succeeded in pacifying the angry man. Haberger is said to have turned as though to return to his house and Lube to attend to the cows. In an instant both faced each other again and Haberger fired, the charge of fine shot, with which the double-barreled shot gun was loaded, striking Lube in the face and he fell to the ground. The murderer walked to where he lay and to make sure of killing Lube he deliberately placed the gun at the prostrate man’s neck and discharged the remaining loaded barrel. He then walked away a short distance from his victim, reloaded both barrels, kicked off his shoes and committed suicide in the manner already described.

District Attorney Jackson and deputy sheriff Wm. Will, Jr., were called from this city to the scene of the tragedy, and were followed by automobiles loaded with people from the country round. That it was a clear case of murder and suicide was established beyond a doubt, and the bodies were allowed to be removed. Undertaker F. W. Lulloff of this city took charge and Lube’s body was taken to his home, and the remains of Haberger were brought to town to the Lulloff undertaking rooms.

Haberger was a bachelor and has no relatives in this country so far as is known, with the exception of a brother who is supposed to be living in New York. He was about 60 years of age and came to America from Germany about forty years ago. He has lived on the place where he died for about twenty-five years. Since being in that neighborhood Haberger has always lived alone. He was of a disposition that seemed rather ugly and was inclined to take offense at trivial matters, which caused more or less friction between himself and his neighbors, it is said that his threats of violence to different ones were somewhat feared with the exception of Mr. Lube, and perhaps some others who did not consider him serious in any great degree. It is possible that if Lube had been a little afraid of him that the tragic ending of both might have been averted.

Haberger’s home was a veritable hovel with a tumbledown shack. The unclean condition of the place and the nauseating atmosphere emanating there from is positively sickening. Devoid of furniture with the exception of several dirty tables covered with some household articles of use, numerous other things besides a lot of trash, the place presents a most repulsive appearance. His stable, which is also a ramshackle affair, is filled with manure almost to the ceiling, which accumulated during the winter. The livestock on the place consists of some twenty head of cattle, including ten milk cows, a team of horses, a number of hogs and a large flock of chickens, all of which appear to be in a good healthy condition, which is probably due to outside loving and plenty to eat. His farm and crops look fairly good, which is testimony that Haberger was a good worker in some ways.

Because of Haberger’s ugly disposition and eccentricities, a complaint was made asking that he be examined as to his sanity. He employed a lawyer and was subjected to a thorough test before a jury at Neillsville, with the result that he was adjudged sane and allowed to go.

After Haberger’s body was brought to the city an effort was made to locate his brother, who is supposed to be living in New York, to ascertain his wishes as to the disposal of the body. All Inquiries were fruitless however, and on Monday afternoon the remains were taken to the Colby Cemetery for interment.

Mr. Lube was born in the town of Colby thirty-eight years ago, where he has grown to manhood. He was one of the town’s most progressive farmers and was well liked by all his acquaintances. His untimely death at the hands of an assassin is to be greatly deplored. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. August Lube of this city, a widow and one son and four daughters, the eldest being twelve years of age, three brothers, August Jr. of the town of Colby, Charles and Herman of Brune, Sask., Canada, and a sister, Mrs. Louis Gosse, of the town of Colby.

The funeral was held from St. John’s Evangelical Church in this city last Monday afternoon, Rev. E. Roth officiating, which was largely attended by sympathizing friends. The interment took place in the Colby Cemetery.