The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-09-22
Another shooting Atrrav.

4s..ss Another Shooting ARRAY.
A serious and perhaps fatal shooting
ARRAY occurred at Monticello, Wright
county, Mimi, few days since, in which
Hon. Il. l.. Gordon Of St. Cloud and q
saloon keepersnamed VIM. Desmond we're
the participants. Mr.. Gordon is in the
city, and from him we gather the follow.
ng facts: ~. % WA. I .> &:S@4s9z
Desmond occupied building owned by
Gordon, on which the rent was overdue
Gordon had gone there to collect the
rent, and on Monday sued out an attach.
ment for Desmond's fixtures and stock
in trade: Towards evening a constable
proceeded to Desmond's saloon to lew
on the goods, when Desmond asked that
the proceeding be deferred until he re.
turned from supper. when he would open
the place and turn over the goods to the
constable. Instead of returnise. as
agreed, he went to the village of Buffalo
to consult lawyer, aud did not return
until or 3 o'clock Tuesday morning. In
the meantime the constable, acting for
Gordon, had broken into the place and
made mis- levy.
Tuesday morning Gordon was informed
that Desmond was making threats
against him, and was cautioned
that he carried a pistol and was a
man who would, not hesitate to-, use
one, when excited as he was tLen. Cor
don "tfioughtit prudent" to at least .pre
pare himself and, having pistol with
HIM but no cartridges, went to village
store where he purchased cartridges and
loaded his pistol.
=. Perhaps five or ten minutes after Sc
curing the cartridges Gordon was enter
my the vii age post Office and met Des
mond at the doorway. Instantly Des
mond struck Gordon with his left
clenched fist on the neck, at the same
time drawing a pistol from rear pocket
and taking aim. Gordon's pistol was in
an outside sack overcoat pocket, right
under his hand and he had it out
in time to present it at Desmond
about the same instant that he presented
his. Both commenced firing and each
fired four shots, retreating as they fired.
Gordon escaped without scratch, but
Desmond was wounded il the shoulder
and at the pit Of his stomach. ~
Subsequently Gordon surrendered him
self to justice Of the peace and after
statement Of the affair from eve wit.
nssses he was released on his personal
bond to appear when required. One of
the deputy sheriffs of the county was
present when the shooting took place,
and agreed with all other witnesses of it
that Gordon acted in selCdelense, and
could not have avoided the conflict.
Desmond is described by one of his
neighbors Of Monticello as being a rough
brute and dangerous bully who has on
several occasions threatened the lives of
men who had Offended him, and who has
before this used his pistol for intimida-
ton if:not with intent of murder. it is
also stated that during tho morning pre-
ccding the ARRAY shot was fired f. ON
the outside into Gordon's bedroom,
doubtless by Desmond.
William Desmond, the Monticello
saloon keeper, who was recently shot by
II. l.. Gordon, and thought TO have been
wounded, is now said to be out
Of danger, the ball having lodged in his
The Monticello Times of the 10th gives
a lengthy account Of the affair, which
differs from that heretofore published.
After speaking of Desmond return from
Buffalo, about six clock in the morn
ing, and the h:arii.g soon after of several
shots in the neighborhood Of the Descent
House, where Gordon was sleeping, the
Times continues: A ball passed through
his (Gordons) bedroom window, across
his bed, struck the plastering and tell
upon the floor. Five others struck the
end of he building and lodged in the sid.
ing. Soon after the firing some one was
heard running past Mea'ey's store to-
wards Desmond's saloon, AMI it is gcner.
ally supposed that Desmond did the
shooting. Acting upon this supposition,
Gordon loaded his revolver next morning
and had made up his mind no, to allow
to be taken by surprise. Public
sentiment is nearly unanimous in justify.
ing this course.
On examining Desmond's coat seven
holes was found in it, four through one
sleeve, two through the other, and orc
through the flap at the height Of the
Three of these were probably
made by the bullet that entered his body.
End the other four by one or perhaps
two other balls.
Frightened Out OF Her Senses.
[Soux City Jourual]
A sister of Ed. Blanchard, of Spring.
field, d. r., was frightened out of her