New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-17
SHOT AT KENTUCKY CAPITAL.
THREE MEN KILLED OUTRIGHT AND
TWO WOUNDED IN LOBBY OF
LEADING HOTEL.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l


not been paraIleled In Kentucky since the famous
duel to the death of William Casslus Goodloe
and A. NJ Swope occurred here at 1:3O p. m.
in the lobby of the Capitol Hotel. feud that
existed between ex-C Congressman David G.. Col
son. OF marlborough, and Lieutenant Ethelbert
D. Scott, of Somerset, renewed on their
meeting. and both men began firing their re-
volvers. AS a result Colonel Colson killed Scott
and Charles Julian and wounded Captain B. B.
Golden, while Scott killed L. W. Demaree, OF
Shelbyville, and one Of them wounded Harry
McEwan. Colson himself was wounded. but not
dangerously.
The savage determination Of Colson to kill his
man was shown in the fact that he had two re-
volvers and bowie knife on his person. When
he had emptied one revolver. the smaller one, he
threw it away and advanced upon Scott, holding
the heavier weapon in both hands. He had be-
fore shielded himself with L. W. Demaree whom
he held so that Demaree received Scotts bullets
Scott then threw his emptied revolver at Col
son, and, turning ran downstairs. Colson, who
partially paralyzed by the wound Scott gave
him last winter. followed, and, standing at the
head of the steps, aimed and fired twice at his
enemy, who fell de ad at the foot of the stairs
THOUGHT TO BE POLITICAL.
The shooting occasioned extraordinary ex-
element and was at first supposed to be the
beginning OF a contest between Democrats and
Republicans Colson is one of the leading poll
ticians of Eastern Kentucky, and has had
stormy and tumultuous life having been in
volved in many quarrels He resigned his seat
in Congress, which he had held two terms, to
raise regiment for the Cuban war. This was
the 4th Kentucky, and 1t remained in service for
some months. Scott was a lieutenant in 1t, and
he a nephew of Governor Bradley and
Colson and Bradley were political opponents
there was soon bad blood between them. Col
met Gnnft
regiment took sides. The two men had hght
at Anniston Ala. upon being mustered out, and
Scott shot Colson.
Golden was captain in one of the companies
and took sides against COlson, so 1t is believed
Colson intended to kill him. He was wounded
in the back, and is not expected to i've he
made a statement that Colonel Colson was the
agressOr. Demaree assistant postmaster at
SheIbyville. and q prominet Republican poll
tician Julian was a wealthy farmer of this
county and belonged to a we'll known family
He was only shot in the leg, but died from loss
Of blood and nervous shock.
After the shooting Colonel Colson ran out OF
the hotel and hurried to the residence or the
almost exhausted, and as he entered the house
gasped: Il sorry he would not let me alone!
There were three of them shooting at me!
His arm dressed there and he was sent to
jail
WILD EXCITEMENT CAUSED.
Meantime the widest excitement prevailed
in the hotel lobby where the killing occurred
and in the dining room near by, where about
three hundred guests were seated at dinner
when the fusillade began. Men fell over each
other in frantic efforts to get places of safety,
women tainted, and it was several minutes be-
fore the awful scope of the tragedy fully
known The dead were left lying in pools of
blood and messengers were dispatched in every
direction for physicians and nurses to care Tor
the wounded.
The Grand Jury is in session, and indct-
ment will probably be returned against Colonel
Colson tomorrow. Coroner Meagher VIII also
hold an inquest tomorrow morning. Colson to-
night still declined to talk: He is in highly
nervous state, and appeared to have been weep
ing when a reporter called. Colson was the
most widely known of those who figured in the
tragedy, but none of the others was obscure.
Scott was a young lawyer of Somerset and a
nephew of Ex-Governor w. o. Bradley, his
mother being a sister Of the Ex-Governor. He
was about thirty years of age
Julian one of the wealthiest farmers OF
the county and was active in local politics. be
ing a Democrat. His family are among the best
known people in Kentucky. One brother, Henry,
Is a lawyer at Kansas City; another Alexander.
is a wealthy shoe merchant OF Cinclnnau ana a
cousin, Judge Ira A Julian OF thls city, is now
a candidate for the Democratic nomination for
Congress in this district. Demaree was about
thirty-two years of age, and In addition TO oelng
assistant postmaster at Shelbyville was a large
real estate owner. Captain Golden is one of the
hest known lawyers in the southeastern part Of
tbe state and has long been leading Repub-
Ican politician in his section. Both Colson and
Scott were regarded as dead game. and both
had figured in shooting ARRAYS before.
STRAIGHT SHOOTING.
Fifteen shots went home In to-days tragedy.
When it is remembered that, so far as known.
only three revolvers played a part in the duel,
it can be seen that aim was for the most part
accurate. Colson's shots were true, but this
detracts nothing from the noted skill of Scott,
because he emptied his revolver after several
bullets had lodged in him. The following is the
record of the marksmen: Scott, a bullet in the
temple, one in throat, two in lungs, two in back;
Demaree, two in heart Julian bullet in calf of
right leg; Captain Golden, two bullets in spine;
Colson, bullet splntered left arm from wrist to
elbow bullets tore his cuffs and sleeves to
shreds. Nobody out of the line of fire was
touched.
The death of Julian is most remarkable. He
walked to his room unaided where his cousin,
Judge Ira Julian, examined the wound and con-
graduated him on his escape. Doctors were busy
with the dying, and Julian waited. He was
bleeding to death, however and when the doc
tors turned attention to him he past
covery. Captain Golden was alive at late
Colonel David C. Colson was born April l.
1861. at Yellow Creek (now MiddlesborOugh).
KY. He resided farm until twenty years
old. For portion of this time he attended the
common schools, and for two years attended
college. He took the junior law course in the
law department of Kentucky University at
Louisville.
In 1882 he went to Washington to accept a
position in the Interior Department, where he
remained two years. and in 1884 he was ap-
pointed special examiner for the Pension Bu-
reau. in which capacity he served two years
in which time he travelled. with headquarters at
Knoxville. Tenn In 1887 he returned to Bell
County, and was elected to the Kentucky Legis-
laJure. IN loSJ ne was the iepuDilCdn nominee
for State Treasurer. In 1893 he was elected
Mayor of Mddlesborough. KY. which position
he resigned in December. 1893. TO accept seat
in Congress- 10 which he was elected in Novem-
ber 1894 In 1895 he reelected to Con-
gress In his term of service he vacated his
seat TO accept a commission colonel of the
4th Kentucky Regiment for service in the war
with Spain.
BIG FIRE IN DAWSON.