The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1884-08-12
An Insane Man Shoots His
Father-in-Law at Hol-
den, Missouri.
An Ofhcious Friend Respon-
sibie for the Foul
Murder.
After a Hard Fight, Marshal
q. 81. Still Captures
the Culprit.

Holden, Mo, August 81 Special. l-One
OF the most terrible tragedies that ever
| happened In this county was witnessed ON
our streets by hundreds of people to-day,
IN which Mr.. w +. Hess, a most estimable
old gentleman, lost his life. James Ashby
! Is young mao who was born and raised
In this county. lie was hit on the head a
| year or two ago, and since that time has
been subject to
EPILEPTIC FITS
and periods Of insanity. Mr. Hess is his
father-in-law, and had recently been ap-
pointed his guardian. This morning Ash
| by was arrested upon the pretext that he
had committed an offense, and was brought
TO town so be could be secured and sent to
the asylum at st Joseph. Ashby demand
ed trial, saying he had committed
no ofense, and he desired a settle
ment of the alleged charges
and his immediate release.
MARSHAL STILL
was called in to assis, in Handwriting him.
As soon as ne was taken hold of for this
purpose, he became furious, saying he had
done nothing and would die b fore he
would submit to such an indignity. He
said be would 60 with the proper officers
to any Court under the sun for trial but
would not be handcuffed. Mr.. Hess said
it would not DO to let him go without
being secured.
Just at that moment friend Of Ashby's
named Bailey came bursting through the
court room door
WITH REVOLVER IN HAND,
swearing that no such thing could be
done.
The officers were taken by surprise and
completely inundated.
Ashby and Bailey left the room and went
on the street with pistols displayed and
swearing louder than ever
The marshall followed them to arrest
Bailey, who ran into a stairway and just as
ne reached the top he
FIRED AT THE MARSHAL
without effect The marshall snapped his
pistol at Bailey but there were no loads in
il. Still then ran to the mayors Office to
get some cartridges, but by this time Ashby
had procured bulldog self-cocking pistol
and ran down to where he expected to find
MIR. Hess, and the moment he saw him
commenced firing upon him. Hess was
standing but few feet from Ashby at the
time but the first shot missed him. Hess,
assailant on the head, but the cane was so
light it had little effect and Ashby con-
tinued to FIRE, the second and third balls
taking effec', one in Hess left nip and the
other In his abdomen. The last one is
necessarily fatal. In fact the wounded man
is now dying.
After tine shooting Ashby started to
make his escape, but by this time
MARSHAL STILL HAD ARRIVED
close to the scene, and as Ashby mounted
his horse and started off In a gallop the
marshal opened fire upon him. Ashby at
tempted to turn to fire at Still and the grit
not having been fastened the saddle turned
and he fell to the ground. The marshal,
he was hit, started toward him,
but Ashby sprang to his feet and started
TO run.
STILL AGAIN BEGAN FIRING,
and at the third shot Ashby stopped and
when he was brought to the
mayors office nd placed in charge of the
sheriff, who placed him in Jail. The affair
is most deplorsble one, but Ashby cannot
be held responsible for the deed, as he is
insane beyond doubt, but Bailey is to
blame in a very great degree for the terri
bic tragedy.