The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-01-23
A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.
Colonel Thos. N. StilweH Shot Dead
in Personal Difficulty at Ander-
son. Indiana.

INDIANAPOLIS, IND, January IA
The city of Anderson, in this State, as
well as the people of this city, were
shocked this evening by the announce
ment of the shooting of Colonel Thomas
N Stilwell by John E. Corwin, in the
banking-house of the latter. The
tragic affair grew out of an old grudge
between the parties, having its origin in
the following facts: Corwin, the son-in-
Law and heir of Allen Makepeace, holds
receipt given by Stilwell to the latter
for S14,O0 IN seyen-thirty bonds, and in
sisted upon the payment OF the claim.
Stilweli denied the correctness of the
claim, and asserted that the receipt
was given to Makepeace for a special
purpose, and represented no claim
against him. This quarrel finally led
to a suit against Stilwell for the recov-
cry of $4,000, and the bitterness be-
tween the men was thus intensified.
When the Indictment was returned
against Stilwell, a few days ago, for em-
bezzlement, he became impressed with
the belief that the prosecut;sn was in
cited by Corwin He had not been in
town since the day he gave bail under
his Indictment till this afternoon, he hav-
ing been induced by his friends to spend
few days in the country, as they fear
ed a collision between him and Corwin.
Coming into town he went directly to his
house, and after spending some time
with his family and a couple of friends
who had called to see him, went out and
proceeded directly to Corwin's office.
On entering the door he drew pistol
from his overcoat pocket and called out
to Corwin: "Let us settle this affair now" :"
or words to that effect, and presented his
pistol. Corwin, who was behind the
counter, exclaimed: "Don't shoot" at
the same time seizing StilwelPs wrist
and turning the weapon aside managed
to climb over the counter. As he reach
ed the floor Stilwell pulled the trigger,
the bullet passing through the front part
of Corwin's coat, which was buttoned,
and through the left pocket of his pan
falcons. He struggled to direct his pis-
tol for a second shot, and while so en-
gagged Corwin drew pistol; seized Still
we'll by throat, whirled him around and
discharged two balls in quick succession
into the back of his head, at the base of
the brain. Then relaxing his hold, Still
well fell dead before him.
Corwin soon after walked over to the
Courthouse and surrendered himself to
the custody of the Sheriff, and was lodged
in Jail.
Colonel Stilwell's body was carried to
his home, near by. An inquest viii be
held in the morning.
|. During the war Colonel Stilwell serv-
ed some time in the army as a Quarter
master, and afterward raised the One
Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment of
Indiana Volunteers. He subsequently
Venezuela. He was also member of
the thirtyninth Congress. During the late
Presidential campaign he took an active
part in behalf of the Liberal candidates,
serving as a member of the Liberal Re
publican State Central Committee He
was universally liked by his acquaint-
ances for his free-hearted generosity and
kindness of disposition, his only fault
being a too free indulgence in strong
drink
Corwin, who was formerly a resident
of this city, is described by those who
profess to know him well, as a man with
few friends, and lacking in the qualities
necessary to secure them.