The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-03-19
4MlscEEAg.
a CALIFORNTA ERAGEnY-
Two Old Enemies Meet and Shoot
Each Other Dead. =

~4--0---N-~~-
Each Other Dead.
IFFOm the San Francisco ChroRicle, Peb. ISL
A terrible double tragedy was enacted
in the town of Watsonville at about hal
past twelve O'Clock Saturday night. DIR
c. E. Cleveland and Milton J. Gilkey in
dulged in regular old fashioned California
shooting scrape, and each was shot dead
by the other. Bad feeling had existed be-
tween the parties for q number of years
DR.. Cleveland had frequently threatened
Gilkey's life, and the latter had declared
himself prepared for any emergency. Gil
key had been away from WatsonVille fol
four months, and had only returned on
Saturday. About ten O'Clock thatOvenine
DR.. Cleveland dropped into the Mansion
House. He was considerably under the
influence of liquor, and began talking
about his enemy, threatening to shoot him
on sight. He imbibed freely until he be-
came very much intoxicated. Shortly be-
fore twelve O'Clock, Alfred DeVoe endeaF-
ored to persuade the Doctor to 60 home.
He succeeded in getting him out Of the
hotel. They walked 10 the corner of Ma
pie Evenue and Main street, within two
blocks of the Doctors residence. Here be
stopped, refusing to 60 any turther, and
stood talking about Gilkey, whom be
abused fearfully, and said be had settle
ment to make with him. Presently Gil.
key emerged from saloon on the opposite
side Of the street and advanced unsuspeet-
ihgly toward the spot where the two men
were standing under the trees. AS he
approached, DR.. Cleveland turned to his
companion and said: There is the -
now" and at the same time Ment for his
pistol. Gilkey was but few feet away,
and at once recognized the voice and took
IN the situation. He made asimilar move
ment and said, "Yes, he's here, and will
give you anything you want" Cleveland,
notwithstanding his intoxIcation was quick
with his weapon, and Gilkey had hardly
made his reply before ball from the Doc
tors pistol struck him Just over the right
nipple. The wounded man gave q slight
cry and staggered back a ieW steps. He
threw his left arm around tree, and
steadying himself took deliberate am al
the Doctor. By this time the Doctor had
cooked his pistol again. Then came two
shots almost simultaneously. The Doc
tors second shot missed its aim, but that
from Gilkey's pistol struck the Doctor on
the right side, and passing through the
body, severed one Of the main arteries OF
the heart, causing almost instant death.
The Doctor gave groan and sank to the
ground. Gilkey growing weak from the
loss of blood, released his hold on the tree
and fed heavily to the ground, expiring in
about Eve minutes. The two bodies we're
not over six feet apart The sharp crack
Of the pistols, ring out upon the, night air
of the quiet village, attracted number OF
people to the scene of the frightful tragedy
The pistol shots were distinctly heard by
Dr. Cleveland's wife, but little did she
think that her husband had fallen vic
tim, until few minutes later, when his
dead body was brought home. The affair
created great excitement in WatsonVille
and vicinity, both parties being so we'll
known there. DR.. Cleveland was one of
the best known and most prominent ply
sicians Of that section. BE was about
fity-two years Of age and leaves wife and
several children. Hiss loss will be deeply
felt. III. ]. Gilkey was a carpenter and
mill-wright by trade, and about fifty years
of age. He took prominent part IN the
lYnching Of Matt Tarpey on the 17th Of
last March, and had the reputation Of be
ing man devoid of all physical fear. The
manner of his death excited little surprise
1t had often been predicted that he would
die in his boots lo Cg.l4alI Ille.