The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1875-09-16
SEQ TINa FLAIR AT
MONTIC CELLO
H. i. GORDON ATTACKED BY
BULLY NAMED DESMOND.
A NUMBER OF SHOTS EXCHANGES
Desmond Fatally Injursd---Gorlon
I'll Unhurt, y =


brought meagre and contradictory reports
concerning shooting affair at Monticello
that forenoon, wherein H. L. Gordon, of
this city, had shot a saloon keeper named
VIM. Desmond. 10. :
We were yesterday enabled to obtain the
full particulars from gentleman who was
present and witnessed the encounter.
1t appears that Desmond had been occu.
plying = house belonging to Mr.. Gordon,
who had notified him to leave. Desmond
vacated, but refused to pay . balance due
for rent, some SIT. Gordon got out an A.
tachment Monday, and constable went in
the evening to take possession Of property
in Desmond's saloon, but while he was
looking for team, Desmond locked his sa-
loon and almost Immediately afterwards
started for Buffalo to secure the services of
? lawyer in the attachment matter. The
constable, finding the saloon closed, made
forcible entrance and secured the property
he wanted. Desmond returned from Buff
falo between three and four o'clock Tues
day morning. About four o'clock shot was
fired INTO the room in which Mr.. Gordon
was sleeping. 1t is generally believed that
when Desmond returned and found that
the goods had been taken by the constable
he became enraged and fred this shot into
Mr.. G.'s room. Being warned that Des-
mond would probably attack him, Mr..
Gordon provided himself that morning with
a revolver. About nine o'clock, as our in
formant says, Mr.. Gordon walked down
street with Deputy-sherid Holler and en-
tered the postof6oe, remaining there per
haps five minutes. As he came out, Des.
mond, who was standing on the sidewalk
by the door, stepped up and with volley
of oaths, struck him, knocking off hishata and
almost telling him to the ground. Gordon
recovered himself, and as Desmond drew
revolver, also drew his weapon and fired.
Desmond, lodging inside harness shop
next door, began firing. Gordon fred
four shots, Desmond two or three. The
second ball from Gordon's revolver took
effect in Desmond's abdomen, and several
more passed through his clothing. Gordon
was untouched. The firing occupied but
a few seconds, and there was a general
lodging and scattering to get out of the way
OF the shots. Gordon delivered himself and
weapon to the Deputy Sheriff; and request
ed to be taken charge Of and Desmond
was taken home by policeman. Des.
mond was asked if he was hit, and opening
his vest showed the wound. The injury
was not at the time thought serious, and
Desmond, without any assistance, climbed
into the wagon which conveyed him away.
But it soon became apparent that the injury
was very serious one, and at latest &C
counts it was not be ieved that he would
recover. The ball, which is small one,
is lodged somewhere inside. DIR. Hand, Of
St. Paul, was telegraphed for at Mr.. G.'s
request, and came up that night. Gordon
went before Justice of the Peace and was
released on his own. recognizance to appear
"S WAC HASAAAAAAaAy cAeAIuuouOu uoXt MOI.
day.
Desmond is about thirty years of age
and is married. He is saloon keeper, a
powerful man and a bully. The affair was
Witnessed by some fifteen persons, and all
consider it q clear case of self defense. Pub
lie sentiment in Monticello is with Mr..
Gordon. - -.
:, Mr.. Gordon returned home last evening
and will remain here until Saturday, when
he will go to Monticello. His statement
does not differ materially from the forego-
ing.
81. L. Gordon has just received note
from friend in Monticello, of which the
following is copy
MONTICELLO, Sept. Is, AFTERNOON.
NY DEAR FR1END.-The patient Des-
mond} is considered by DR.. Hand as in a
fair way of recovery. His brother told me
this morning that upon examining his
coat he found four bullet holes-one in
right shoulder, one in. left elbow, one in
right arm and one in left centre, opposite
stomach. So you need not blush for the
quality OF, your pistol practice.