The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-17

fourth hangs by slender thread, while two
others miraculously escaped with painful
injuries, occurred here at 1 o'clock today.
The principals in the tragedy were ex-
Congressman David G. Colson of Mddles-
boro and Lieutenant Ethelbert Scott of
Somerset.
Scott was shot six times by Colson and
almost instantly killed. Luther Demarre,
assistant postmaster at Shelbyvllle, an in
nocent bystander was shot three times
and died instantly Charles Julian, an
other bystaEder, was shot and died a halt
hour later, and Captain B. b. Golden or
Barbcursvlle. commemorative attorney
for the Twenty seventh judicial district
was shot in the back and is not expected
to survive the night. Colonel Colson him
self was twice shot in the arm. Harry
McEwing of Louisville was shot in tn-
tcoi ana W, o. Ridpath OF Chicago sus-
tanned broken leg by the lifeless form
Lot Scott falling against him rs IL rolled
down the stairway. The tragedy is one
OF the most sensational in the history OF
The Dark and Bloody Ground"
The killing occurred in the lobby Of the
CAPITOL hotel, the principal hosiery OF the
state capital, the room being 1el filed
[
who are here attending the contests for
state officers before the legislature Colo
mel Coison Is In Jail tonight, charged with
murder, but he claims self-defense, The
witnesses of the affair were taken so
much by surprise when the shooting began
that most Of them We're almost panic
stricken and there are many and conflict
ing stories as to how the fight began.
Colonel Colson and party OF friends,
among them being Demarre, were sitting
m the lobby engaged in conversation as
scott and Captain Golden came up tho
stairs from the bar room, When they had
arrived about half way across the ROOM
walking in the direction Of Coson the
latter, 1t is said, half rising from his
chair. fred at Scott, who instantly re-
turned the fire. Shooting then became
general and bystanders are at variance as
to the number engaged. Demarre was
standing slightly in front OF Colson and
young Scott is said to have crouched be-
hind him to ward off bullets from Col
son revolver In an instant Demarre fell
dead. pierced by three bullets. Captain
Golden, who accompanied Scott, reeled t.
one side, falling into the arms OF eX-
Governor James Il. McCreary, exclaiming.
y am shot" The smoke in the locality
OF the antagonists became dense, but Col
sou continued 10 press Scott, who retreat
ed backward. shooting as he moved. Col
son empted the chambers of a 3S-caliber
revolver and quickly brought a A into
action. Scott by this time had been shot
several times, and as he staggered back
and fell down the stairway Colson. who
. was within few feet of him. continued
, To hre until the form of Scott rolled over
and showed that life was extinct
The battle was terrific and bullets fairly
al ralned through the lobby OF the hotel,
several OF which went wild, piercing win
dow glass or Embedded themselves in tha
Il walls and furniture OF the hotel. 1t was
y NOT discovered for several minutes that
. Charies Julian, who died later had been
e snot and at first his wound was thought
/ 10 he only trfling.
After the killing Colonel CoIson ran
- OUT OF the hotel and hurried to the resi-
u dence OF Chief of Police Williams. whers
ne surrendered, He was almost exhausted
ana as ne entered the house gasped Il
: am sorry he would not let me alone There
+ were three Of them shooting at me-"
meantime the widest excitement pre-
/, vailed in the hotel lobby where the kill
r ing occurred ana in the dining room near
" py were about 800 guests seated at dinner
when the fuslllade began. Men fell over
!, each other in frantic effort to get to
r. places OF safety, women tainted and IL
s was several minutes before the awful
% scope of the tragedy was fully known.
The dead were left lying in pools OF blood
q and messengers wore dispatched in every
' direction for physicians and nurses to care
: for the wounded. Charles II. Julian
who was shot In the leg. died shortly after
reaching room. death being due to loss
!, OF blood and the shock TO his nervous
~ system
n Colonel David G. Colson who killed
Z scott and who is charged with the killing
i OF both Demarre and Julian and with
shooting Golden, has long been prom.
4. nent figure In Kentucky politics He
y served TWO terms In congress and declined
~ a denomination at The hands of the repub-
i can party OF the Eleventh district in 1898
d N order TO accept the colonelcy OF the
Fourth Kentucky regiment~in the Spanish
war, scott was hrst lieutenant and
Golden was captain OF a cavalry troon In
Golson's regiment, and the trouble which
led TO the tragedy today began while thew
were IN the volunteer army. A feud
S sprang up between Colson and Scott while
|. me troops were in camp at Admission. Ala.
ana IN this It Is said by Colson's friends
- that Captain Golden was a warm partisan
i OF Scott, Colonel Colson sought TO have
= Lieutenant Scott examined by board of
ofncers and discharged for inefhciency
me trouble between them at that time
II eliminated in a meeting between the man
) IN restaurant at Admission, Ala Hot
words were passed and Scott shot Colson
INJECTING what was for time serious
j wound. The regiment was shortly after
rs ward mustered out OF the service as a re-
y suit of the feud between the officers and
NJ the serious charges and counter charge,
10 which they had made at Washington
. against each other as officers. Scott was
acquitted at his examining trial at An
x niston, Colson failing to appear as a vit
IN ness. Since then the parties had not me
D. until today and d has been generally be-
re lieved that bloodshed would follow thelr
r meeting, so both were understood 10 b.
'o looking for each other
Colonel David q, Cblson was born An-il
as l. 1861, at Yellow Greek lnow Middlss 15ro
a; ky). In 1882 he went to Washington n
4 g., TO accept position in the in.erio,
G, department, where he remaiued two wear,
s. and In 1884 was appointed special examine,
for the pension bureau, in which c.pAeit,
"a he served two years. during which lima
IN he travelled With headquarters nj IlsoS.
III vile. Tenn, In 1887 be returned IN pel
county aud was elected TO the Kenfnct,
legislature. In 1854 he was The renuhlicsy
; nominee for State treasurer In 1ses NJ
Is was elected msyor Of Mddlebora Ky
,. which position he resigned In Deeembs-
1925. 10 accept a seat in congress. N whics
he was elected 10 November 1894 In tsa'
III he was reelected to congress Durln. ~.
service he vacssed his sea, 10 arnss.
commission as colonel Of the Fourth w..
rs lucky regiment for service in ,hs ~,