Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-01-17
.C0LSON'S- DEADLY AIM.
Ex-Congressman Killed Three
Persons, at Frankfort. XIV
FATALLY WOUNDED ANOTHER MAN.
Occurred In Hotel, at Frankfort, Ky.
Another Man Wounded and Another
Hurt by Dead Body Rolling Against
uim-Colson Wounded.

prominent men were sacrificed, and
that of a fourth hangs by n slender
thread, while two others miraculously
escaped with painful injuries, occurred
here. Tho principals in tine tragedy
were ex.Congressrnan David G. Colson,
of Middlesboro, and Lieutenant Ethel
bert Scott, of Somerset. Scott was shot
six times by Colson and almost instant.
ly killed.
Luther w. Demarree. assistant post
master at Shelbyville, an innocent by
stander, was shot three times and died
instantly. Charles Julian, another by
stander, was shot and died half hour
later, and Captain b. b. Golden, Of Bar.
boursville, commemorative attorney OF
the Twenty-seventh judicial district.
was shot in the back, and is not expected
TO survive the night. Colonel Colson
himself was shot twice in the arm.
Harry McEwing, Of Louisville, was shot
in the foot, and w. .. Ridpath, of Chi
cago. sustained a broken leg by the life
less form of Scott falling against him as
it rolled down the stairway. The
tragedy is one of the most sensational in
the history of 1.-THE dark and bloody
ground"
The killing occurred in the lobby of
the Capitol hotel, the principal hos
telry Of the State capital, the room bo.
ing well filled at the time with poll
ticians and others who are here attend
ing the contests for state offices before
the legislature.
Colonel Colson is in Jail, charged with
murder, but he claims self.deiense.
The witnesses to the affair were
taken so much by surprise when the
shooting began that most Of them were
almost panIc-stricken, and there are
many conflicting stories as to how the
fight began. Colonel Colson and II
party of friends. among whom was De-
marree, were sitting in the lobby eii-
gagged in conversation as Scott and
Captain Golden came up the stairs from
the barroom. When they had advanced
about half way across che room, walk
ing in the direction Of Colson, the lat
ter. it is sud, half rising from his chair,
fired at Scott. who instantly returned
the fire. Tho shooting then became
general, and the bystanders are at vari.
ance as to the number engaged in it.
Demarree was standing slightly in
front of Colson and young Scott is said
to have crouched behind hlm TO escape
bullets from Colson's revolver. In an
instant Demarree fell doad, pierced by
three bullets. Captain Golden, who
accompanied Scott, reeled to one side.
falling into the arms OF Ex-Governor
James B. MoCreary, exclaiming II am
shot."
Tho smoke ia, the locality of the an
tagonists became dense, but Colson con-
tinued TO pres,l Scott, who retroated
backward, shooting as he moved.
Colson emptiedI the chambers of ,IS.
caliber revolver and quickly brought u
A into action, Scott by this time had
been shot several times, and, MS he
staggered back aud fell down the stair.
way, Colson, who was within II few feet
OF him, continued to fire till tho form
OF Scott rolled over and showed life OK.
tinct.
The battle was terrific and bullets
fairly rained through the lobby OF tho
hotel, several of which invent wild,
pierced window glass or imbedded
themselves in the walls and furniture
OF the hotal.
II was not discovered for several min
utes afterwards, that Julian. who died
later, had been shot. and ut first his
wound was thought to be only trifiiug,
After the killing. Colonel Colson ran
out OF the hotel and hurried TO the rcsi-
dence of Chief Of Police Williams, whoro
mo surrendered. He was almost ex.
hausted, and as ho entered the house,
gasped: ~ am sorry he would not lot
mo alone. There We're three OF them
shooting at me-" Meantime the widest
excitement prevailed III the hotel lobby,
where the killing occurred, and III tho
dining room nearby, where about 300
guests had been seated at dinner when
the fusillade began.
Men fell over each other In frantic
efforts to got to places of safety. women
tainted and 1t was several minutes be.
fore the awful scope of the tragedy was
fully known. The dead were left dying
in pools OF blood and messengers were
dispatched in every direction for physi-
clans and nurses to care for tho wound
ed. .ti
Charles II. Julian. who was shot in
the leg. died shortly after reaching u
room, death being due TO ioss OF blood
and the shock to his nervous system.
Captain Golden was removed I'd room
and made statement that Colonel Col
son was the aggressor.
Colonel Colson, who killed Scott, and
who is charged with the killing of both
Demnrrco and Julian, and with shooting
Golden. has long becn prominent
hguro IN Kentucky politics. lio served
two terms In congress, and declined n
denomination ut tho hands of tho Rc.
publican party Of tho Eleventh district,
in 1893, in order to accept the colonelcy
OF the Fourth Kentucky regiment in
thH Spanish war. Scott was lieuten.
ant aud Golden was captain OF cav.
airy troop III Colson's regiment, and the
trouble which led TO the tragedy began
then. A ieud sprang up between Col-
son and Scott while tho troops were In
camp at Anniston, Ala, and in this II
is said by Colson's friends that Golden
was warm partisan of Scott.
The trouble between them at that
time eliminated in meeting between
thom in "a restaurant, which resulted In
Colson being shot by Scott. Tho regi.
Inent was shortly afterwards mustered
out Ut the service as result of the
feud between the officers and the seri.
Gus charges and counter charges which
they had made at Washington against
each other as officers. Since then the
parties bad not met till the awful
tragedy, and IT had generally been be.
lieyed that blood would DO spilled should
they meet, as both were understood to
be looking for each other.
Colonel Colson was removed to the
residence Of Chief Williams, while the
surgeons dressed his shattered arm. and
he was taken to jail later. He begged
to be allowed bail. The grand Jury Is
In session. and an indictment will prob.
ably be returned against him to-day.
(nronar NJ Manuhar will aSso hold an tn-