The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-07-09

lFrom the State Register,1
The Des Moines Shooting Case.-
State W.. Pumroy.
On Monday last at Q o'clock P. NJ. the
examination of John Pumroy, charged with
killing Nathan Coltrap, commenced before
Justice Morris of this city. We herewith
append the evidence in the case:
The witnesses sworn were Joseph E.
Beggs, G. H. Chester, Martin Wheeler,
James Beck, Perry Devote, - Jackson,
George Davidson, A. T. johnson, DR.. Beach
and - Humphreys.
PROSECUTION.
Joseph E. Beggs, sworn-testiA ed as fol-
lows Reside in Des Moines. Not ac-
quainted with Defendant. Never saw him
until I saw him in the coach last Friday
about 8 o'clock in P. M. Next place I see
him was at Col. Williamson's residence,
believe on the other side oSthe River.
On Friday afternoon when the coach
drove up to the Stage Office two men got
on to the back seat Mr.. johnson told me
there was lady passenger on the other side
of the river for the back seat. When we
got to Mr.. Williamson's residence, Chester
got off Of the coach ani called for the lady,
and then came back to the coach and told
this Mr.. Pumroy he would have to give up
his seat to lady. He said he would not
give up his seat to no lady. He'd paid for
his seat and was going to keep his seat.
told him he was not much Of a gentleman
or he'd give up his seat to lady. If your
mother was lady it would be an accommo
daton to you to give up the seat to her.
He then called me id scoundrel. AT
that the lady come out Of the door and I
didn't say any mare to him until we got to
Rising Sun. When was watering my of
wheel horse at Rising Sun, he looked out OF
the coach. Says "you are sweet look
ing thing, you are I said no more until
we got to Humphreys Station. I got
down to unhitching my team and he got
out of the coach. He was on the opposite
side Of the team from me.
looked up, I told him he was the prettiest
man on earth. SaysI "you are q sweet
rosy you, man that wouldn't give up the
seat to the lady" He told me he did mt
want no more of my lip. Says I"What
will you do about it," Says he, "I'll put
hole through you." Says I, "You God d-d
dirty PUP you wouldn't put hole through
nobody" / then started to leading the
team towards the barn, and he started TO-
ward the coach. Gotta pistol, suppose
out Of the coach any way. Ituraed around
and see he had Spistol in his hand. I
started towards the coach and he pointed
the pistol at me. went to the coach and
pulled the kingbolt out Of the boot, then
took the second thought and laid the king
bolt on the foot-board and went back to
the barn. When Coltrap was leading out
of the barn, then went to help him to
go and get in the coach or put up his pis-
tol. believe was the words he used. Col
trap started towards him. He then point.
ed his pistol at him. When he saw the
pistol he then run and got the kingbolt.
run up and catched this Pumroy, pushed
him toward the coach door. Coltrap kept
telling him to get in the coach and put up
his pistol. Coltrap then had him by the
coat with his hand hand upon him in this
manner. (Here tho witness initiated the
manner in which he said Coltrap held the
coat Of Defendant; which was by taking
hold of the lapelle on the left side with his
(Coltrap's) right hand and raising il up in
to position where be pressed the palm Of
bis hand upon the left side of Defendants
neck, aud near the back oft neck.)
He had the kingbolt drawn up in this
manner in his right hand. (Here the wit
ness raised his right hand above his should
er some inches end stated that he thought
one end of thekingbolt rested on Coltrap's
shouldey.)
Says he, you get in that coach and put
up your pistol" He then fired. Coltrap
fell back upon his seat He jumped up, and
says I, "Nat are you hurt" He says "yes
he shot me but I'll kill the bitch"
Pumroy then started. I then jumped and
grabbed his pistol. was afraid couldn't
get the pistol away from him, and called
for jackson to come and help me. jack
aon come. got the pistol away from him.
! took the piston into the barn and put It
away. then came out and interfered with
Coltrap to keep him from killing him.
tried to catch Coltrap but did not, but inter
fered all could. Pumroy then run down
the road. Says |, "Nate, where are you
shot," He pulled up his shirt and showed
me. We then hitched up h;a team and
Coltrap got on the coach. Jackson told me
I'd better 60 down with him for he was
hurt bad. He wouldn't consent for me to
go down with him for quite little SPELL
He finally consented. got on the coach
he gave Inc the reins. Gong up the first
hill Pumroy tried 10 get in the coach.