The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1898-01-06
SHOOTING AT BELvIEW.
Ben. Simpson Shot by C.. c. Ward
With a 41-COlt Revolver.

Benjamin Simpson of Belview, at
one time deputy sheriff from that
end Of the county, was shot in the
feshy portion of the thigh in a row
with Ceylon G. Ward of Sheridan,
about two o'clock last Saturday after
noon. The shooting was Intentional.
The wound is not dangerous.
The trouble arose over cattle deal.
F. L. Simpson, a brother of the
wounded man, has been buying stock
at Belview for several years past. Dur
ing the early portion of last week F.
L. Simpson appeared at the home of
John llett in Sheridan, and according
to Mr.. Ilett's statement, agreed to pay
him at the rate of 81 cents per pound
live weight for several head of cattle
then owed by Mr.. Ilett, the latter to
deliver them in Belview on New Years
day.
On the day in question Mr.. Ilett
sent his son and son -in-law, Mr.. Ward,
to Belview with the cattle, and in
structed them to accept the price
agreed on above. F. L. Simpson was
not present in Belview on that day,
and Ben. Simpson was receiving the
cattle for his brother. And here
branches off two different stories.
Simpson states that he told Ward
that he was under the impression that
the price agreed upon was three cents
per pound. He claimed to have re-
marked to Mr.. Ward that If he was
wrong he would leave the difference
with j. M. Thompson, and that in case
Ilett was right the money was to be
turned over to him. Ward left the
stock yards and went up to the restaur-
ant. It is claimed that he stated there
that if Simpson did not deliver the
stock he would make a lead mine out
of him. Shortly after he went back to
the stock yards to get the stock. Simp-
son told him that he could not have
them, saying he had offered to do the
fair thing. Simpson claims that Ward
callejs him a s. of a B., and
then Simpson jumped on to him.
Simpson claims that Ward stepped
back to pull the gun, when he rushed
upon him, and that the gun was point
ed directly at his chest. Breaking
away Simpson does not remember
what occurred after that for a few
minutes, except that he yelled and
ran, thinking that Ward was going to
shoot again.
Ward states that he went back to get
the stock, because Simpson would not
pay the agreed price. Simpson re-
fused to let him have them, and word
row ensued, followed up by Simpson
jumping on to him, and beating him
badly. In self-defense he pulled the
gun and fired, not knowing where the
ball was going to lodge. Wards face
is badly injured by reason Of the pum
melting that Simpson gave him, and if
Simpson ran after the shot was fired,
all this pummeling was done before.
Simpsons wound was dressed by DR..
Dredge and it is now past the danger
mark. There was some talk of lynch
ing Ward among Simpsons friends,
but this was light, and Commissioner
Sloan, who happened to be present,
gave good counsel, had Ward placed
under arrest and brought to this city
and placed in the county Jail the same
night.
On Monday, Mr.. Ilett, who is one of
the best and most honorable farmers
in Sheridan, called on F. L. Simpson
to get his property. Simpson refused
to give them up, offering to pay Mr..
Ilett the agreed price of 49, 25 per cwt.
for the same. Mr.. Ilett refused, and
Mr.. Simpson turned the money over
to J. M. Thon Json. In the meantime
Mr.. Ilett caused replevin papers to be
issued and the case will be civil as
we'll as criminal.
Since the shooting occurred several
farmers residing in the vicinity OF Bel
view. and who have taken stock there,
claim that they have met with the
same trouble at the hands of the
Simpsons. They say that F. L. would
do the buying at one price and that
when the stock was delivered Ben
alone would be present, and the latter
would work the different price racket.
Mr.. Ilett's integrity and honesty will
- ,-l WorI cfNo6