Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-03-15
RESULT OF A DRUNKEN ROW.
William Ross Pursues Him
With Two Revolvers.
Upper End Village in the
Throes of Excitement.

John Sullivan was shot and probs-
bly, fatally wounded at Port Byron
Saturday night by William Ross.
The two men had been drinking and
had quarreled. The shooting oc.
Cured in the street, Ross being
armed with shot gun, two revolveri
and o pair of brass knuckles. Trou.
BILE had been brewing between Ross
and Sullivan for several days, dur
ing which time . crowd of the
young fellows of the village had
been using whisky rather recklessly.
Saturday afternoon Sullivan and
Ross met at c. G. Coyne's store.
Ross shook his fist under Sullivan's
nose and talked threateningly to
him, when Mr.. Coyne interfered and
induced Ross to 60 into q rear room,
from which he escaped and went
home.
Nothing was seen of Ross until z
in the evening, when he was detected
in the hallway Of DR.. Merryman's
office. A half hour afterward he and
Sullivan met in the street. where
upon without even an exchange of
words the men went at it. Sullivan
was first knocked down, his nose
being broken from blow with brass
knuckles. He again regained his
feet and they fought desperately for
. moment, when Ross went to the
ground with Sullivan on top of him.
Simon Normoyle induced Sullivan to
desist in his punishment of Ross,
whom he finally permitted to arise.
When the men first met Ross was
carrying the shot gun. which he set
aside st Sullivsn's behest. But as
soon as he regained his feet after the
fstic encounter. he whipped out his
revolver and shot.
staggers Up the Street.
Sullivan staggered up the street
to DR.. Merryman's office, signing:
II am shot through the hearth"
After an examination by DR.. Mer-
ryman, who found that the ball had
entered Sullivan's breast one inch
above and one inch to the right of
the left nipple, the wounded man
was taken to the home of his parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. John Sullivan, Mr..
Sullivan being . section foreman for
many years on the Milwaukee road.
D. A. Malarkey took one of the pis-
tolls away from Ross. who fled, but
Was afterward captured by Bailiff
Nicholson. who kept him under
guard at hotel until this morning,
when he waived an examination in
Justice Whiteside's court and was
held to the grand jury in IS,
bonds.
Yesterday afternoon Drs. Merry
man and Bruner probed Sullivan's
wounds, but were unable to locate
the bullet. DR.. Merryman came to
Rock Island today and consulted
with DR.. Ludewig with . view to
having his X-ray apparatus taken
to Port Byron and applied on Sulli-
van in hope of locating the bullet,
but as the instrument is not porta-
BILE this cannot be done.
Sullivan, who is % years of age, is
In q critical condition, and DR.. Mer-
ryman says hopes for his recovery
are not at all bright. Sullivan was
never known to be Sunday school
boy, and never went out of his way
to avoid trouble. He was indicted
by the grand jury in 1896 for assault
and battery. and his case. which was
certified for trial in the county court
is now pending. Sullivan having
furnished bail for his appearance
when wanted for trial.
Port Byron is in the throes of ex.
element over the shooting. Ross
has thus far been unable to get bail.
Ross is . bricklayer and came to
Port Byron some years ago from the
east. While he is said to be quiet
citizen, on this occasion he was not
q, Csc evidently to having . little
trouhlo