The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1899-04-13
FRANK GRIFFIN KILLED.
The waryviiIe Editor Victim Of q
street DaeI--Col. &. q. JesHe
Was the slayer.

MHryyillc, No, April Prank Grif
FIN. editor and publisher OF the Mary
vile Daily Review, was shot three
times on the Main street OF Naryville,
yesterday, by c. J. Jesse formerly a
Maryyillr druggist Grif,n's wounds
were mortal, and he died within few
hours. Grifiin's paper In a purely per-
sonai organ. II is said that some
months ago Jesse told him that u he
published his name In his paper In any
objectionable way he would kill him.
Griffin has lately referred 90 Jesse
through hts paper, and Wednesday.
April .. the following appeared in the
course Of an article containing sim
liar statements about other persons.
Col. G. q. Jesse Is getting ready an.
other gambling he'll, recently vacated
hy ~ n.:=."
Jesse became grratiy incenscd, and
II was currently rumorcd that he was
seeking Griffin with a shotgun, aud
had declared he would kin him on
sight. They came face 90 face on iiiu
busiest corner In town. When they
were directly opposite Jesse drew a
pistol from his osercosi pocket and
fired ON Griffin twice. One hall took
effect In his groin, gld the other
missed him. Griffin staggered back
from the walk, and Jesse followed
him. They were AT alI times close to-
Frthcr aud Griffin WAS able to seize
the wrist Of the hand ia which be held
the gun. Griffin was o noted athlete.
Jesse was almost equally large aud
powerful, and for a few moments there
was terrible struggle. They were
In the mud Of the street almost up 20
their knees.
4 Death struEnie.
Jesse seized Griffin by the throat
and desperately attempted 10 pull his
gun down on q line with his bor,iy. lie
finally suecrrded and fred twice. One
hall entered Griflin's left cheek. rang
ing downward Knocking four teeth
out, and finally lodging in his neck.
and the other entered his neck just
above the breast bone. Griffin, now
desperately wounded three times, con-
tinued to fight like a tiger. he forced
jesse's hand up again, aud the latter
then pushed the gun back over his
shoulder and tride TO shoot him from
behind, but his pistol only snapped.
He then seized his antagonist, now
weakened from extreme loss of blood.
10y his long black hair, which hung
down TO his coat collar. and forced
him 20 his knees. Succeeding ia
wrcnchinP his right hand from his
grasp, he reversed his gun and began
beating him over the head with H.
Griflin was still stronger that an or
dinary man, and even while on his
knees he succeeded in pulling his as-
snilant down into the mud with him.
Ontsidcrs then rushed In and sep
BTptcd them. Jessr made no attempt
t0 escape, and was at once arrested
Griffin was loaded in a wagon aud
taken home. There he was revived by
the doctors. Whrn he recovered eof,-
seriousness he became game again and
swoTc be would not die. lie divided
his property, consisting, besides his
plant. ~ few fast horses. some notes
and cash, among his wife and three
daughters.
GrImn'n Career.
Frank Griffin WIS noted character
In northwest Missouri. His parents
were Catholics, and he was educated
for the priesthood, but early aposta.
gised and became bitter nssallant Of
the church. When he arrived in Mary
willie from GlcnwOod, Ia, 20 years ago,
he was a drnd-game sport. lie kept
his hair long, and frequently tied u up
with u cord, always wore Il tall silk
hat and ilashy red tie, and hy his &C.
centric manners and his disposition 10
he the most conspicuous person pres
ent at every place attracted great
deal of attention everywhere Griffin
WIS formerly a lawyer. but sevcrnl
years ago he established a weekly
paper. lie appeared 60 know the past
aud present Of every man and woman
In the city, and few people entirely cs-
capped his sarcastic attacks.
II h probable that a hundred men
have sworn to kill him, and have gone
armed for tim, purpose. A few years
ago r. {. Montgomery, who was killed
in Maryyille in December. 1897, by
John Joyce, drew pistol on him AZ
the Wabash station and attempted 10
Kill him, but Grifiin cOolly and smil-
ingly wrcnchcd the pistol from his
hand, threw him TO the platform and
put his foot on his neck.
At different times his plant was de-
Stroyed Twice he had been before tho
bar of the United States for sending
obscene literature through the mail.
HE Las ben shot at In the dark and
his house fired into. but il Is not
known that anything ever ratified him
pr that he was ever frightened. lie
appeared TO have charmed life. Jesse
has retained william G. Ellison. of
TO defend him. he declares
That he WIS driven by desperation 10
sommit the act.