Fergus County argus., 1890-12-04
The Elmer Inquest at Philbrook.

The inquisition on the body of Henry |
Elmer, the man shot at PhilbroOk Mon
day. Nov. 2I, by a Mexican half-breed
named John James, was held ON Wednes-
day afternoon, the 26th. Dr. Hanson, the
coroner. and County Attorney Smith con
Quoted the inquest. The coroner, jury
consisted of the following; John a. Porter,
David eagle. Clarence NJ. Goodell, Charles
r.. Hess, John Schaal aud John Raw.
Frank Samples and W. T.. Vinson, two
important witnesses who were at the scene
of the homicide, were not present.
Dr. Long, who attended the deceased
after the shooting and who, at the instance
Of the coroner, made an autopsy, testified
substantially as follows Found external
bullet wound on left side, between seventh
and eighth ribs, and at II point about seven
inche. from the fne.ian line. Also found n
flesh wound on ieit wrist, with point Of
exit about one inch from point of penstra
ton. skin about wound on wrist much
powder burned. Bullet was found slightly
imbeddea in the Tissues in front of and
slightly to the left OF spinal column, and at
"A point horizontal to external wound. The
bullet in its course struck mo bones, and
was removed perfectly free from scratches
or indentation-. The extreme lower bor-
der of the left lung was pierced in front as
we'll "a. behind. Likewise the diaphragm,
tn. muscular wall between the cavity OF
the chest and the cavity of the abdomen,
owing to its curved position, was punctured
twice, once in front aud once behind.
From the course Of the bullet would Judge
the position vi deceased when shot to have
been erect, or nearly So. lie further testi-
fled that after the sho.ting he walked with
James to the house Of deceased. James
ackno wledged the shooting, and said de
ceased had him in IA tight place aud WAS
about to strike him with club. when he
shot him in self-defense. lie was sorry il
had occurred. lie ackn"w ledged taking the
pistol from the house Of deceased.
| The doctor further testified that the or
gans of the chest were in "a healthy con
dtior, and that death occurred from hem
orrhage and shock, superinduced by u gun
shot wound.
| Eugene Welch testified as fellows: Was
at the scene of the shooting. Saw Elmer
reaching for "a large club ON the ground.
Saw James pull his revolver from his hip
pocket and fire at dersased when about
four or five feet away. Could not posi-
lively say whether or not deceased had the
club in his hands when he was shot.
| Chester William Campbell, who is en-
ployed by Mr.. Morrison as "A sheepher'ler
testified as follows: The night before the
shooting, near midnight, James, the Mexi-
can. came to his bed in the barn and
wanted to sleep with him. lie said that he
had been fired out down below lmeaning at
Ebner's). lie was intoxicated. Showed
witness "a revolver. The day after the
shoot ing witness missed about 40 cartridges
from his box Of ammunition that he kept
near his bed in the barn.
The jury, after about one hours deliber-
| alton, rendered the following verdict:
That Henry Elmer came to his death on
Nov 25, 1880. by a gunshot wound from IA
revolver in the hands of John James. in our
opinion feloniously. Said gun was n thirty
eight calibre, five-shooting revolver.
| CLARENCE NJ. GoopELL, Foreman.