Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-12-25
DOUBLE MURDERER KILLED
Triple Tragedy Takes Place at Far.
nninqton.

min9ton.
Pennington. Dec. 20.-In At of un.
governable temper, maddened by an
attempt to arrest him, George Still.
we'll yesterday afternoon shot and
MORALLY wounded City Marshal Robt
Coulter, aged 81, and Justice of the
Peace A. Z. Musgrave, aged 65. AT.
ter an exciting chase by posse raised
by Mayor B. F. Ketcham, in which
Stillwell fired numerous shots, but
without hitting any ore, he was shot
dead, his body being riddled with
bullets.
Both Coulter and Musgrave will die
Coulter was shot in the bowels and in
another part of the body. Musgrave
was shot in the back three times.
Stillwell, who was about Gu years
of age. was a man of high temper aid
was often in trouble with his neigh,
bors. He picked a row yesterday
with a man named Moore, who swore
out warrant for Stillwell's arresG
Justice. Musgrave issued the warrant
and gave 1t to Marshal Coulter tc
serve. Coulter found Stillwell on the
main street near the livery barn aid
began reading the warrant. Stillwetl
without word drew his revolver an6
fired a shot at Coulter. Coulter knock
ed toe revolver and the shot went wide
of the mark. Coulter then drew his
revolver and began to fire at Stillwell
but the latter was too quick and sent
two bullets into his body. Coulter
fell to the ground MORALLY wounded
Stillwell walked up the street swear
ing that he would kill any one who
spoke to him. Soon he saw Justice
Musgrave walking along the street
carrying basket of corn and COINS
up behind him Stillwell remarked, 80
guess ! want you. too" and shot him
three times in the back. Musgrave
fell to the ground MORALLY wounded
Stillwell then went home and pro.
cured Winchester rife and struck OF
into belt of small timber In the
meantime Mayor Ketcham had organ
lied posse of fifty men and led in
the pursuit of Stillwell He issued an
order that Stillwell was to be captured
dead or alive.
When the posse entered the belt oil
woods II spread out and widened into
a circle, which inclosed Stillwell.
The latter, thinking he was trapped,
stepped out into the open and fired
on his pursuers. Instantly he was
commanded to hold mp his hands. His
reply was a shot point blank at the
leader He then fired other shots in
rapid succession until his Winchester
became clogged by defective shell
Then he threw the useless weapon tc
the ground and drew his revolver and
continued his fusilade. Then Mayor
Ketcham gave the order to fire and
volley rang out and Stillwell fell to
the ground Sfnnn AL
bullets having pierced his body at the
first round. One bullet entered square
ly in the center of the forehead
Others entered his body at every
point. there being at least twenty-five
wounds. The body was left lying on
the ground where 1t fell guarded BY
the posse until the coroner could be
notified.
Pennington, Dec. 22-It Is now be
lieved that Marshal Robt. Coulter. one
of the men shot by George Stillwell,
will live, although his condition is
still critical. There is no hope, it is
stated for Justice of the Peace Z. A.
Musgrave, Stillwell's other victim, who
is very weak. From the testimony
given at the coroner's inquest over
the remains Of Stillwell, it is believed
that the bullet that killed Stillwell
was fred by Marshall Coulter in the
first shooting ARRAY on Main street
Coulter says during the shooting Still.
well stepped on the sidewalk and fell
toward him as he fred his last shot.
The fatal wound struck Stillwell in
the right side of the neck, high up and
ranged downward coming out below
the left shoulder blade. Coulter's ties.
timony indicates that his bullet MADE
this wound. 1t this is so Stillwell lived
about two hours and a half before the
posse surrounded him in the timber.
Another theory advanced Is that Still.
well either accidentally or purposely
fired the fatal shot himself as he saw
the posse closing in on him. One of
the strangest verdicts in the history
OF this county was the result of the
coroner's inquest. viz: death by his
own hand or by parties unknown
while in the act of resisting an Off
GER"