Kansas City daily journal., 1897-01-17
A BAD COMBINATION.
CnIiber Revolver Create Conster-
nation ut the Court House.

An infuriated man with n small howitzer
In his hand made a combination at the
county court house yesterday afternoon,
which for time threatened serious con-
sequences and as a matter of fact de-
molished two expensive glass windows
The infuriated individual was Ben Stroth-
er, who after having some words with
Deputy Circuit Clerk Dave McClanahan
regarding ices. fired two shots from A.
cgliber revolver at Harry Payne, a deputy
clerk, who interfered and attempted 10
GUST Strother from the Office.
Strother. who is q nephew of Congress-
man-eieCt w. S. Cowherd and a son of
DR.. Strother. of Independence. makes a
caused considerable trouble in the past
and ON more than one occasion, according
10 Mr.. McClanahan. has bought fees from
persons who are not entitled to any fees
whatever. A private account book is
kept in the office in which the fees are
entered as well as on the appearance
docket.
Yesterday Strother asked to see this
private account book, but Deputy Nc
Clanahan refused to let him see it, refer
ring HIM 10 the appearance docket. The
two men engaged in hard words McC,lan-
ahan calling Strcther q fee shark and
other pet names and Strotller referring to
MCClanahan's brother who once marched
with Coxey on the grass. He likewise re-
lie service.
After the exchange of pleasantries had
reached the peppery stage McClanahan
went out in front of his desk to fight. not
dreaming that Strother had revolver a
Few more words were exchanged when Nc
Slanahans refused to fight, while there
were deputy clerks around to help him
out He returned to his desk while Dep
uties Payne and Easley attempted to get
Strother out of the office. Hot words
were exchanged between Payne and
strother and as they reached the corridor
Strother is alleged TO have applied an
esF Fecially opprobrious epithet to Payne.
me words were no sooner out of his mouth
than Payne struck him a heavy blow in
the face, cutting his cheek.
Strother drew his revolver and the first
shot sent Al bullet crashing through the
plate glass panel in the door, burying itself
In the wall. Payne had in the meantime
yards with his back turned to Strother |
When the first shot was fired he lodged
behind the counter and McCIanahan and |
others did likewise.
Strother then took his stand in the door
way and steadying his revolver with both |
hands fired point blank at Payne the bul- !
let crashing through one Of the heavy |
north windows. Deputy Jim Chase Depu- !
fy Sheriff Cartwright and others grappled /
with Strother and a dozen men were seek |
ing to disarm him while he fought like
a tiger. During this struggle the revolver /
was accidentally discharged, the bullet i'm /
bedding itself in the west wall near the |
register.
Strother was disarmed and hustled into
the sherfffs office where his injuries were
attended TO and he was afterwards taken
from the building by his brother Sam b. !
Strother. Payne refuses to prosecute
Strother for shooting at him but some
body VIII have to pay for the glass Mo
Clanahan says 1t will not be the county.
SrCther viii not be prosecuted for carry
ing concealed weapons. He had trouble !
a couple of weeks ago in the sheriff's Of
flee with Attorney Grant /. Rosenzweip
over witness fees.