from The Republican (Danville, Indiana)--issue of Thursday, October 23, 1902—page 1, column 5:
Serious Charge
Jeptha West, well known in the northern part of the county, found himself in jail Friday night with the ugly charge of assault and battery with intent to kill lodged against him. Jeptha is a defendant in a divorce suit. Since family troubles became acute, Mrs. West has been staying at Moses Rawlings' near Mont Clair. Friday, Jeptha went to the Rawlings house and pulled out a gun. It is thought his intention was to kill Mrs. West. Bert Rawlings picked up a chair and felled West who lay unconscious for some time and while unconscious he was bound hand and foot. When he recovered his senses, he begged to be released and his arms were untied. He went into his coat and pulled out a knife with which he slashed himself across the stomach, cutting his clothing but not reaching the skin. A warrant was issued and the sheriff called and gathered him in.