Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-11-12
MURDER At CLINTON
jerks Dillon Shot and Killed by
Disreputable Woman Last
Evening.
The Victim Was Well Known In
Sporting Circles..Eddie
Croak's Backer.
Murderess Has a Record For
Crime and as Consort Of
Criminals.
Special to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
| Clinton, Nov. 1.-THE shooting here
yesterday afternoon, at about 3 o'clock,
of James Dillon, commonly known as
Jerks" Dillon, was one of the most
tragic events that has taken place in
this city for many years. His acknowi-
edged murderer is Anna Crawford, a
house on Fourth avenue, at which place
the tragedy took place. The Crawford
woman is n notorious character and
narrowly escaped the penitentiary about
a year ago.
Jerks" Dillon, the murdered man,
was one of the best known residents of
this city. especially to the sporting
world. In his younger days he was a
pugilist of no mean ability. AT one time
he was manager and trainer of Oscar
Gardner, the champion of Iowa. Dur
ing Croake's successful fistic career in
this state, couple of years ago, he was
backed by Dillon, who was in Croake's
corner in all his encounters. He had
also officiated as referee at several con-
tests and was known turnout this sec
ton as thorough sportsman. He con-
Quoted fashionable saloon in this city
and kept quiet and orderly place. He
was not a drinking man and never was
cuarrelsome. He was hail fellow wei
net and made friends with most people
with whom he came in contact. He
leaves a wife, most estimable lady, one
son and an aged mother. Both are pros
trated on account of the tragedy. Dillon
was 43 years old and had resided here
tor number of years. An inquest is
being held over the remains this after
noon.
Just what caused the shooting has no..
get been learned, as the murderess re-
fuses to talk. When arrested she said
she shot Dillon in self-defense, but the
indications are that this is not true.
People near the place of the shooting
heard five shots fired in rapid success
sion. They also heard the cry of "mur-
der" and two or three men hurried to
the house. They arrived at the back
porch just as Dillon fell on the porch,
or his face. He was carried into the
house and placed on bed. The woman
stood near the door with smoking pis
toll in her hand. She said she had shot
Dillon. The remains were taken to the
m orgue and an examination showed two
wounds. One bullet had entered the
back of the head and lodged somewhere
III the brain. The other wound was in
the back. indicating that both wounds
were made while Dillon was leaving the
house, undoubtedly the one in the back
first, as the wound In the head was ia
tai. Dillon lived but a few minutes and
was unconscious.
Ed Thurston said to be lover of the
Crawford woman, who left the house a
few minutes before the shooting, was
also arrested and is in Jail.
Anna Crawford made her first appear
ance here about a year ago. She was ar
rested at Davenport, where she was liv-
ing with one j. Mecum in a house boat
They We're wanted in this county on the
charge of horse stealing. AT the pre-
l.minary hearing Mecum was indicted,
hut the woman, whose maiden name was
Anna Crawford, who had been married
to Mecum at Davenport about a week
before arrested, was released on her own
recognizance. They We're charged with
stealing team of horses and carriage
from John Krebs, Of this city Sheriff
Moran followed the couple thru Iowa,
Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and 9TH
er southern states and finally located
them in Davenport. They had disposed
of the horses, but later told where they
had sold them. The horses We're finaly
recovered by the owner. Before the case
was investigated by the grand jury it
was learned that Anna Crawford had
joined Mecum a day or SO after he left
this city, and remained with him until
their arrest at Davenport.
Mecum was found guilty of grand lar
ceny and was sentenced TO the peniten-
tiary and is serving his time now. AT
the next term of court, following Me-
Gums conviction, his wife secured di-
vorce and was allowed to resume her
maiden name. Since her release from
Prison she has been arrested number
of times on trivial offenses. She is about
20 years of age and is rather good look
ing. 1t is said she left good home and
that her parents are well-to-do ana
highly respected people.