Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-06-17
ENDS IN MURDER.
Terrible Result OF a Political Feud
at Bunker Hin, Il.
Mayor John n. Richards Shot Dowu
in the street by Editor HedIey-
The Murderer snrrenders
Immediately.

Bunker Viii. IL, June 14.-John r.
Richards, millionaire and mayor of this
city, was shot and fatally wounded at
noon Saturday by Capt. T. Y. Hedley,
editor of the Bunker Hill Gazette. He
died six hours later. The shooting was
the result of a political feud. Maeoupin
county is excited from one end to the
other by the tragedy Only the popu-
larity of Capt. Hedley prevented a
lynching. Feeling is running high, and
the prominence of both men has
aroused intense partisan feeling. Ed
itor Hedley is in Jail at Carlinville,
about 40 miles south of here. He sur
rendered himself Immediately after the
shooting and was at once taken to that
city to await the result of the wounds
he had inflicted and to prevent mob vio-
lence.
10th OF Wide Reputation.
Both the murdered man and the ed
itor have long been leaders in southern
Illinois politics, and their regulations
have extended beyond the borders of
the state Mayor Richards was one of
the most popular men in the county, be-
ing widely known for his philanthropic
deeds. He was elected mayor last
spring on the republican ticket, receiv-
ing the Endorsement of the regular
democratic convention. He lived in a
handsome residence, and on his estate
had built an electric light and water
works plant, with which he supplied the
city with light and water free of charge.
He was Sc years of age and bachelor,
Capt. Hedley has national reputation.
He was an intimate friend of the late
Walter q. Gresham, and has of late
been engaged by the relatives of the
former secretary of state in writing
a book of personal memoirs. He served
all through the war of the rebellion
with Gen Gresham.
Political Enemies for Years.
The immediate cause of the fatal
quarrel is not obtainable and the ex-
citement is such that all sorts of stories
are in circulation. The men were pc.
litical enemies of years standing. They
met at noon OH one of the principal
streets. There were a score or more
of eyewitnesses to the shooting, but
none who heard the words that passed
between them before the editor drew
his revolver and fired two shots at the
mayor The first shot inflicted small
flesh wound in the right arm. The sec
ond entered the right side, passed
through the right lung and lodged in
the spine. Mr.. Richards was a giau;
physically The man who killed him
is pigmy. The murdered man weighed
ESQ pounds and his assailant tips the
beam al barely / 40 pounds. After their
meeting on the street blows were ex
changed. Richards struck at Hedley
and it is claimed made move to draw
a pistol when Hedley whipped out his
revolver and fired the two shots.
Speculation as 10 the Cause
One report has 1t that woman
figures in the case. Richards, though
IS years old, wished. it is said, to marry
his stenographer, Ella Brown Richards
1t is alleged he accused Hedley Of pre-
venting the marriage. and assaulted He'd
ley three times within six months
When another assault was attempted
Saturday Hedley was armed Another
statement is that Richards upbraided
Hedley on Saturday for not speaking
to him when they met. Hedley's reply
is supposed to have angered the former
who struck him, bringing on the fatal
encounter.