The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-07-25
Ended in Death.

city, fight took place Tuesday
afternoon which resulted this (Fri-
day) evening in the death of one of
the principals.
On the above mentioned occa-
sion, James O'Donell, a miner, and
Peter Essman, proprietor of sa-
loon located near the above named
mine, became engaged in a quarrel
Old misunderstanding were re-
newed and the men came to blows.
Essman, who was the larger of the
two and is considered q tolerably
good man, told O'Donnell to sum
mon his brother his (O'Donnell's)
brother, Andy, which he did. The
fight was at once renewed and
Andy O'Donnell grasped a strip of
iron and struck Essman in the
back of the head. Essman fell un-
conscious and the O'Donnell broth
ers both fed.
The news reached town in a
short time and physicians and of
ficers repaired to the scene. Ess-
man was found to be suffering
from broken skull, the fracture
being at the base Of the brain and
the fragments of the bone being
pressed in on the brain. He was
brought back to consciousness and
lived until Friday when death re-
lieved his intense sufferings.
On the evening Of the tragedy,
Jas. O'Donnell returned but he was
not liable in any way for the kill
ing, he was not arrested. Andy
O'Donnell is still at large, no clew
to his whereabouts having as yet
been received.
The trouble, as previously stated
had is origin several months back.
The fatal burning Of Mr.. and Mrs.
O'Donnell in the same locality
some months ago is still fresh in
the minds of our readers. It was
also stated in this paper, at the
time of the fatality that the couple
owed their death to an over indul-
gence in intoXicants. From sever
al sources we learn that the O'Don-
mel boys have always been indus
trious and assisted their parents to
maintain q livelihood. On numcr-
Gus occasions before the fire the
latter had been in intoxicated con-
ditions and had caused the boys
considerable annoyance and they
had made an effort to prevent their
procuring liquor. All the saloon
lists, among them Essman, were
visited and requested not to sell
their parents liquor again.
Whether or not Essman sold
them the stuff on the evening Of
the fatal fire can not be definitely
ascertained, but the boys became
convinced that such was the fact
and so expressed themselves in
language by no omeans compliment
ary to Essnan. IL is also doubtful
as to whether or not any threats
were made by them.
On Tuesday, at just about the
noon hour, when all were at the
shaftOf the mine, Esmond accosted
James ODonnell and said that he
understood he and his brother had
been talking about him. a quarrel
followed and they came to blows,
neither receiving any injury. Pete
then told James that he could whip
both him and his brother, who was
at once called up by the latter. On
a renewal of the combat, Andy
procured a piece Of iron a couple OF
feet in length and stepping up be-
hind Pete, struck him a powerful
blow, he being an unusually strong
ly built young fellow. From then
until the time of his death, Essman
has been in the charge of physic-
ians and everything possible done
to save his life.
The victim of the tragedy leaves
a wife and family of children.
The affair has created much COM
ment, both sides having friends,
and different opinions are express
sed as to the character Of the crime
Reports are contradictory, however
and the matter will have to be de-
cided, later by the courts. The oc-
curance is very much to be deplor-
ed and following so soon as it does
on the death of Joe Tribbie'S vic.
tim, should at Ouce receive proper
attention. 1t is not believed that
so serious result was expected by
anybody and the death of Esmond
though he was known to be badly
injured, following as it did, the an
nOuncement that he was improving
came somewhat in the nature of q
surprise.
Officers throughout the country