The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1879-06-06
INITIATING NERO.
A REMARKABLE WESTERN TRAGEDY-FID
DLlNG AS A PRELUDE TO SHOOTING.

/ IL
DLlNG AS A PRELUDE 10 SHOOTING.
! The world is each day presenting son,
new and horrible tragedy to eurdle th
blood with its diabolism /; and to-day th
Times presents to its readers the details q
a terrible tragedy which took place on Fri
day about noon, in Platte county, Mo-,
few miles from Failev, the details of whicl
were furnised by gentleman who came
over from Platte county yesterday.
A few nights since school meeting wal
held in the neighborhood of the fatal occur
renee. Capt. D. Lanter, an old and re
spected citizen, who was school Trustee
attended in his official capacity. One Ton
Morgan, a young man 90 years old, wal
also in attendance. Morgan is known al
one TO whom word means blow follow.
ing it, and who needed but slight provoca
tion to wreak summary vengeance upon
the offending ones. In the course of the
meeting he became involved in quarrel
with Lanter, whom he assaulted and bru
critical condition at his home. The high
standing of Captain Lanter produced con-
siderable excitement, and a warrant was
sworn out for Morgan's arrest and placed
in the hands of Constable Ben Fulcher, a
young man scarce the age of Morgan, and
Israel Heath, Justice of the Peace, a
man of advanced age, and who is regarded
as quiet, peaceable citizen. Both of these
men were on friendly terms with Morgan.
They proceeded to Morgan's house about
noon Friday, On entering the room Full
cher said tom, we have a warrant for
your arrest, and it isn't necessary to make
any disturbance, but just settle the thing
peacefully and coolly." Morgan replied:
" It's all right, boys; you are friends Of
mine, and will go with you peaceably, but
wouldn't go with anybody else. But it's
now about dinner time. Put your horses
I'D and feed them come in, and the old
woman will get US some dinner, and then
we will go and see about this thing"
Morgan took his violin and played few
tunes for the entertainment of the visitors.
He then handed the violin to Fulcher,
saying: ''Ben, you play tune and I'll
dance there's nothing like good shuttle
before CO." Fulcher took the violin and
played and Morgan danced for few mo-
ments. He then stopped and said: ''That's
Lanter; I'll kill him yet"
Mr.. Heath, who was reading newspa-
per, looked up and said, .sTom, you
oughtn't to talk that way remember you
are under arrest, and such things viii 60
hard with you." Morgan hastily exclaim-
I'D, ''D-n You, are you going to take it up ?
If you are, I'll kill you, too!' He raised |
! chair and rushed upon Heath, who had
'isen to his feet, and struck him a terrible
blow over the head and eyes, which stunned |
lim and brought him to the floor. AS |
Heath arose he struck him az ain, when
'ulcher stepped forward and told him he |
must stop. Turning like an lnfuriated de-
non upon bis new opponent, he told him
le would kill him, too, and rushed upon
him. Fulcaer drew his pistol, small one
If 32 calibre, and fred rapidly at Morgan
hree times, each time with terrible effect. /
The first shot took effect in the moath, and |
passed nearly through tie head (; the sec
md in the right temple. the latter nearly
caring off the top of his head. He turneu
o run, exclaiming, "My God, I'm shot !"
Is he turned Fnlcber fired two more shots,
aking effect in Morgan's back. Morgan
vent out of the door, his young wife with
lin, and both fed across the field for near
y quarter of a mile, his wife ahead of |
lim. Near the home of his mother he fell.
lie was taken to her house and died in
hort time. Drs. Mcdonald and Guthrie
we're Immediately summoned from Platte
jity, but he was beyond human aid. Full
her went to Platte City and gave himself
Up, but he was Immediately released, as he
ecured bonds at once. His preliminary
examination took place yesterday afternoon
t Platte City, but as to its results we are
lot informed. Capt. Lanter, the first par
y assaulted by Morgan, was in dangerous
condition when last heard from, and his
eeond victim, Mr.. Heath, is also seriously
Injured.
AS hitherto stated, Morgan was one who
gave way to his violent passions upon the
lightest provocation. Some time ago he
tabled man named Brassfield, and sub
another person named AL. Estes.
The saddest feature of his case is that he
caves young wife who is the bride of but
few short months, and whose anguish at
his awful blow which has suddenly fallen
nd taken away the one which was dearer
han all Others to her, is something which
5 better imagined than described. -.Leap-
nao0rth Times.