Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1901-06-08
PROBABLY FATAL.


ably mortal wounds inflicted with
a 3S.calibre Colts revolver shortly
before O'Clock this morning. Two
shots were fred by ]. Lee Hazel
wood, who is now in Jail where hi
10 held to await the result of the
wounds. ,.. s,
The men quarreled over an &C
count, and the shooting took place
at the Cowbell mine on the old Bay
State ground, on East Eighteenth
street. ~. '.
Hardwood conducts a cigar and
refreshment stand at the corner OF
Main and Fourth sireets. Wheaton
is mines, who with two other par.
ties named Hall and Ellis operated
the mine where the tragedy &C.
CURED.
1t is claimed by eye. witnesses
that Hardwood came to the mine
and made the statement that he was
going away and that he wanted the
money owing him by Wheaton.
The demand resulted in a quarrel
between the two men, during which
Hardwood drew a revolver and
fired twice, one ball penetrating
Wheaton's right wrist and came out
at the elbow. The other entered the
right side above the hip and pene.
trated through the body, coming
out the left side.
When Wheaton fell Hazelwond
walked away and came to town. He
was arrested on Main street with
the revolver in his possession.
When Officer Yates heard of the
shooting he began search for Ha.
zelwood, who gave himself up and
said he was the man who did the
work.
AT the police station Hazelwood
was agitated considerably all the
forenoon, He would say but little
regarding the traSedy, other than
he recently bought a revolver of
Ben Collier and went out to try it.
Upon comming across Wheaton at
the mine, Hazelwood says the for
mer commenced to abuse him and
made threats with the accusation
that Hazelwood was too persistent
in trying to collect bill. Wheaton,
he said, made the plea that he
couldn't pay it and started for him
when he fired the shots.
The other men at the mine as
soon as Hazelwood left came TO
town for medical assistance. Sew.
eral physicians responded, includ.
ing DIR. S. 81. Miller, who sent for DIR.
Evans ambulance. The wounded
man was removed to his home at
Tenth and Locust streets and a par.
tial examination revealed that some
OF the vital parts were penetrated.
Hopes of Wheaton's recovery hang
by'a thread, so DR.. Miller reports.
The revolver with which the
shooting was done is in possession
OF the police at headquarters. 1t
was formerly owned by ex-officer
Ben Collier and two weeks ago Sat.
urday night it wac accidentally die.
charged by Mr. Collier, who was in
Hazelwood's place of business,
showing him the gun. The ball
then crashed through the window
and lodged in the easement of one
OF the windows of Joplin hotel. Ter.
ry Conner and Officer Laughlin
were standing at the time within a
few feet of where the bullet lodged.
Wheatlew is described by his &C.
quaintances as a peaceable man.
1t s claimed that he had not even
penknife in his possession when
the shooting took place. He has
been in and around Joplin for two
years or more. Hardwood is a man
OF large stature and is said to be
quite man also. He has never
been in trouble In Joplin and has
resided here several years. He re-
fused to make further statement
until after consultation with an at
torney.
The officers are doing nothing in
the case and are awaiting the re-
suit of Wheaton's condition before
the next step is taken.
The amount of the bill that ere.