Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-09-01
4 TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.
John Harmon, q Highly Re
spected Citizen,
Shot and Killed by Peter D.
Cole.
the End Of a Family Feud.
From the Deshler Flag. ]

Harmon, at the hands OF Peter d. Cole the circum-
stances are as follows:
Harmon and Cole were adjoining neighbors, and it
is well known and regretted fact among citizens,
that between the two men there was g terrible enmiy
This feeling had previously resulted in Cole being
twice arrsignsd before the Common Pleas Court Of
this county nfidavit Of Harmon once for assault
and for shooting with intent TO kill In each of
the above cases Cole was discharged The case for
shooting tried in the May term Of court and peo
pie generally hoped that this would be final settle
meht of the trouble between them.
Wednesday evening about 7;SO, Cole entered the
grocery store of w. 7. Marvin and his wild and fright
ened appearance attracted the attention of Marvin,
who said to Cole what is the matter?" Cole made no
reply. In a moment after this, Harmon was noticed
TO come up and stop at the right of the door At this
time Mr.. P. t. Michaes came into the store with
some chickens for Marvin, and which they together
proceeded to put in coop to the left of the door from
where Harmon stood the outside. As they did this
they noticed that Mr.. Hannons son BERTHE had come
up and handing his father some money which he
was in the act of placing in his pocketbook Marvin
and Michaels startled the report of pistol at
their side and on looking up saw Cole standing with
pistol in hand between them and Harmon.
From this all was confusion and excitement. Har-
mon jumped into the street and toward vogt's
store amid the screams Of the terrified boy and hor
ror stricken bystanders; he had perhaps gone twenty
feet when Cole following the sidewalk, fred again.
and Harmon jumped upon the sidewalk to enter
VOght's store Cole again shot, whereupon Harmon
threw up his hands and said "AIy God am shot,"
and into the store, his merciess pursuer still fol-
lowing, and he up the aisle the right towards
the rear of the store still another shot fired by
Cole, his victim running around behind the dry goods
counter and into the of Marshal Burt Clippnger
(who was acting salesman for the day. Harmon
crying Oh save me- Burt!" and in this position Cole
again fred which shot is supposed to have been the
fatal one reeling to the front of the store he fell
bleeding to the floor in the agones of DEATH but not
however until Cole, with apparently undyng hatred,
had again discharged his deadly revolver the ball in
this passing out through the glass front into the
wood awning.
Harmon neither spoke or breathed after he fell.
Cole made effort to escape, he seemed to be view
ing the result of his bloody work when he arrested
by Marshal Cippenger and Deputy Sheriff Waltimire,
who promptly removed him to place of safety during
the excitement, and at O'Clock he was taken to To-
edo in charge of the above named officers who turned
him over to George Daum, Sheriff Of Henry county,
who had come that far to meet them.
medical examination of the body showed that
two bullets had passed through the heart lodging
the skin on the right side and the other on the
left; shot also took effect In the right arm and
was taken out at the elbow joint.
Several ladies were in voghts store among others
Mrs. voght, wife Of the proprietor, who swooned at
u toFk kbao oIo
critical condition.
The scene on our streets during the shooting was
that Of the widest confession screaming,
woman crying and men running rendered the sight,
especially that of the shoqting, to be for
gotten by those who witnessed it.
Prosecuting Attorney Knupp was notified and was
promptly ON hand yesterday inquirng into the de-
tails of the case which cannot fail to be one of great
magnitude, If not without parallel in the history
of Henry county. He also brought DR.. Harrison, a
noted physician of Napoleon, who assisted Drs.
Gehrett and Nichols in making an examination of
the death producing wounds.
Mr.. Harmon was citizen much respected; he was
proprietor of the livery stable here besides being the
owner of other valuable property in and around
Deshler. He has served two years as Marshal and
missioner and Constable, in all of which he proved
faithful guardian of the public trustreposed in him
He leaves wife and five bright intelligent children.
who have thus suddenly been deprived of an indul'
gent, loving husband and father. Who can picture
the grief of this stricken family who had seen
the father but few minutes before 60 out from their
home in the glory and prime of manhood, now
bleeding corpse.
Mr. Cole the unfortunate author of all this misery is
a poor man, one who has boen considered an indus
trious and honorable citizen, and has held offices of
public trust, apparently enjoying the confidence of
all that knew him. He has wife and one child, q
bright little girl whose only comfort will be in the
sweet remembrance of the many acts of kindness
and love from him who has now plunged their inno-
cent heads in grief that only entirely cease with
death Let us then as neighbors and friends, throw
round about all afflicted by this sad calamity, the
broad mantle of Charity and offer only such genuine
sympathy as shall prove balm to the hearts that
ache.
The remains of the victim of the terrible tragedy
that was enacted Wednesday eveing were taken to
Napoleon for nterment, where his relatives reside,
followed bya large concourse OF sorrowing relatives
and friends this morning.
Cole was arraigncd before Justice Reeder on Tues
day. An examination was waived by the prisoner, but
Prosecuting Attorney Knupp wishing to secure part
of the testimony some ten twelve witnesses were
examined, when the prisoner was remanded to Jail
10 await the action of ihe Grand Jury, which will be
tn session next month. Theprisoner seems indifer-
en and though he did not realizes the terrible
ditiou he is placed in He has secured Jas. r. Tyler
of Perrysburg, to defend him. Mr.. Tyler is noted
criminal lawyer and there is anything to be set up
in Coles favor he will bring It out at the proper time.