Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-24
FIGHT TO THE DEATH.
A Columbus Newspaper War Results
in a Terrible ARRAY,
In WHICH TWO MEN ARE KILLED.
Albert Osborne Shot Down By W. J. Elliott
on the Street, and
AN INNOCENT MAN MEETS HIS DEATH

SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATCH.l
COLUMBUS, O., Feb. pa horrible
tragedy occurred here shortly after 1 o'clock
this afternoon. Two men were killed and
several wounded in a fusillade of pistol
shots. The terrible affair was the out
growth of a newspaper feud, which has been
raging for several weeks between the pub
fishers of the Sunday World and Sunday
Capital of this city.
Colonel w. j. Elliott, editor of the Cap
ital, shot and instant killed Albert Osborne,
city editor of the Sunday World. W. L.
Hughes, an old gentleman, who was stand
ing nearby. was shot and killed with a stray
bullet from Elliott's pistol. The tragedy,
as before stated, was the result of a news
paper wal. Two weeks ago the World
made charges. against Elliott's family, in
sinuating that a female relative of Elliotts
was not all she might be.
Serious Charges Against lowering.
Elliott retaliated on the following Sunday
with a four-column article, charging F. W.
lowering, editor of the World, with being
the joint proprietor OF a disreputable house.
He also charged him with being associated
with a woman named Lou Burton. Lever
ing is an Assistant State Oil Inspector and
prominent in politics. The charges created
a profound sensation. The charges against
lowering also implicated Claude Meeker,
Governor Campbell's private secretary.
lowering and his city editor, Mr.. Os-
borne, retaliated yesterday with a sensa-
tional article, charging Elliott with nearly
all the crimes in the calendar. Elliott, with
IL. l-atl@- D,A~.ol- I'D ncka.-a rao& Ahsa
afternoon on High street, near the Ameri-
can Hotel. Patrick;Elliott opened fire upon
Osborne and Osborne returned the fire. A
running battle ensued, In which ". j.
Elliott Joined. Patrick Elliott started to
run, followed by Osborne, Osborne followed
by w. j. Elliott. All three men emptied
their revolvers as rapidly as possible. One
of the shots from W. j. Elliott's gun
grazed Osborne's arm, and he turned and
fired at the former. The shot missed its
mark and Osborne fled into Malcolm Nc
Donald's hat store.
The Killing of Osborne.
As he did so he turned and fired at W. J.
Elliott. The latter fired his weapon almost
simultaneously, and the shot took effect in
Osborne's chin. 1t went clear through his
mouth upward and backward through the
brain and came out at the base of the skull.
LlllOI udu lOllOWeu OSUOTuc lulO lie SLOTc,
and as he fred the last shot grappled with
him. In the scuf1e which followed both
their guns were discharged and Osborne fell
to the floor dead, although the last shot, it
is said, did not take effect in either man, the
ball which caused Osborne's death having
entered his face as he came in through the
doorway.
Osborne fell upon a large pile of boxes,
containing hats, and the weight of his body
caused the boxes to collapse and to cover
him completely. w. L. Hughes, a highly
respected citizen, and formerly steward of
the Imbecile Asylum, was standing on the
pavement watching the formation of the
parade. He was struck during the running
battle. The bali entered Hughes head i'm
medIately over the left eye, and he dropped
upon the iron grating in front of Ambo's
restaurant, expiring instantly. Two others
in the crowd were injured.
Threats Against the Eliotts.
The excitement incident to the tragedy
continues and the situation looks threaten
ing. Large crowds continue to hover about
the scene of the tragedy. W. j. Elliott and
his brother are held at the city prison, and
owing to threats which have been openly
made, the police authorities have taken
extra precautions to prevent any outbreak
or mob violence.
W. j. Elliott was interviewed, and among
other things, said: "When in front of
Schrader's saloon with my brother, Pat, 1
turned and saw Osborn with a revolver
pointed at me. Preached for my pistol,
when 1 heard a bullet whiz by nv head. 1
think he shot two or three times at me, and
/ fired back. Osborn started after Pat, and
Pat ran out into the street through the
crowd, Osborn firing at him and into the
crowd"
Interviews with a large number of eye
witnesses to the tragedy are substantially
the same-that W. j. Elliott opened fire
on Osborn as he came along the street, and
the best information of those who saw it is
that the first shot fred by Elliott hit Osborn
in the side of the head or neck. Osborn,
after returning the fire at both Elliott and
his brother, ran into the hat store, where he
was followed by T. J. Elliott, and they had
a ha~nd-to-hand struggle, during which sew
eral shots were fired and Osborn was shot
through the head. Besides the two men
killed, four other persons were wounded,
nome seriously.