Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1897-03-16
Who is in Turn Killed in His Tracks by
Officers Norman and CraVens.
THE CORONER'S JURY EXONERATES THEM
FROM BLAME.
THE FULL. AND BLOODY DETAILS |

Merritt came out of Lacy's saloon
and seeing the three officers in the,
little group across the narrow thirty
foot street bawled on. in loud voice.
give got hundred dollars and Pm
going to spend it all tonight"
Officer Cravens started across to
Merritt, when Officer Layne said:
"Hold on Mack, let me talk to him.
| think l can get him to go home"
Approaching Merritt with both
hands rammed down in his pantss
pockets, he held a short talk with kim,
trying to get him to go home, remind
ing him of his previous promise to DO
so. Merritt stood with his left hand
in the outside pocket of his long mac
intosh overcoat and there appeared
to be no danger of an alteration un-
til Layne, after warming Merritt
again to go home and avoid trouble.
turned as if to leave him. He had
been standing with hls back against.
the iron doorway, Merritt standing
I'D the door. just as Layne turned
his head from Merritt, the latter said
in loud tone: I've been bullied bv,
you long enough. I'll fix your clock
Before Layne could make any mo-
ton of defense, Merritt stuck his pis,
tol into his face and shot him through
the brain. The ball entered near
the inner corner of the left eve.
and came out at the back of his head.
Layne's head being turned as ex-
planned above slightly from Merritt.
The shooting was done with Merritt'a
left hand, as he was a left handed
man, and had evidently come out to,
provoke difficulty and no doubt had
kept his hand on his pistol all through
the interview. Caught unawares the
officer only had single instant in
which to throw up his hand TO knock
up the pistol, but too late and he
dropped to his knees and then rolled
face forward into the doorway. hia
head few inches over the weather
strip in the door.
There is sort of vestibue to the,
saloon made by screen that sets.
four or hive feet back from the out
side door. Retreating into this vesti-
bule Merritt stood over the dead BODY
OF his victim and shot two more shots
at Moorman and Cravens.
These brave officers saw the killing,
from their position on the Opposite
about 80 feet distant. Az
the crack of Merritt's pistol both
sprang towards him pulling their pis-,
lois as they advanced. Moorman's
position was such that Merritt was
partially concealed from him and
Merritts second snot was answered by
)ne from Cravens, who was in front
ana whose temple was grazed by Mer-
ltt's bullet. Norman in the
meantime had shifted his position
md taking deliberate aim fred, the
hree pistols firing 80 near together
hat many who heard them thought
here was only one report.
Merritt exclaimed NBill. Pm shot
90" and ran behind theIscreen, turn
"a around twice, laid his pistol on the.
'ar and fell to the floor in the ago
lies of death.
Moorman felt tingling sensation
ID the last bullet from Merritt's pis,
oil scorched the top of his right ear
)ut he sprang into the doorway to.
ollow Merritt, not knowing that he
lad received death wound. while
Jravens started down the alley to the
back door to head off retreat. BY.
he time the officers reached him.
Merritt had ceased to breathe. The
bullet had gone through near his
leart. 1t is not known which officer
titled him. The three men were
tanding within six feet OF each other
md the wonder is that other bullet
loies were not made.
A crowd quickly collected and in n
ew minutes the body OF Officer