Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-19
ACCIDENTAL SHOT IS FATAL
John L, Howe Instantly Killed by a Fellow
Express Emp o7e,
CHARGE OF BUcKsHoT ENTERS HIS BODY
Messenger John Gordon was Taking
Loads from His Gun when n
Shell IL Accidentally
Exploded.

John L. Howe. a messenger in the employ
Of the Pacific Express company. was shot
and instantly killed by the accidental dis
charge Of a gun In the hands Of c. John
Gordon, another express messenger. about
z o'clock last evening at the Union Pacific
Transfer depot.
The accident happened in the outer room
Of the Offices Of the express company. Both
men had bu. a short while before arrived
at the depot on their runs. Howe on the
fast mail from the west and Gordon on
the first section Of No. 6, through train
from Denver. The fast mail was two and
a half hours late, this bringing the two
trains into the depot about the same time.
Howe had started toward the express
once ahead Of Gordon to check in his run
when he remembered that he had left his
gun in the express car ana went back after
it. But for this he would have checked
in and left the Office before Gordon ar
rived to do likewise and would be alive
today. Howe had Just returned to the
once and was proceeding to check in when
Gordon reached there carrying his gun.
Stopping at the outer door Gordon pro-
ceeded to pump the cartridges out Of his
gun. HI rad extracted all but two when
one was discharged. The gun was pointed
toward Howe. standing but a few feet in
side the room and the entire charge Of
buckshot struck him in the back just under
the left shoulder blade, evidently piercing
the heart and tearing both lungs TO pieces.
He dropped to the floor dead.
Gordon Beside Himself.
When Gordon realized what had happened
he was almost crazed with grief and his
FIRST thought was to kill himself with the
S~-aH.Fa- ,h,.-. A4 80. zz-sg-al -
the other employees. On the arrival Of
Coroner Treynor Howe's body was removed
TO Cutters undertaking rooms and Gordon
was taken by friends to his boarding place
at the house Of Jacob Lands, 2O19 Seventh
avenue. When importuned to go to his
boarding house Gordon at first refused,
saying he had to wait until the officers
arrived to arrest him and It was only when
the coroner ordered him to go and stay
there thai he permitted his friends TO lead
him away from the scene OF the accident.
John L. Howe was a veteran express
messenger, having been on the road for
the Pacific Express company for twenty
two years. His run was between the
transfer and Cheyenne. He was a single
man and made his home with his brother,
Lewis Howe. foreman for the Milwaukee
railroad. at Ill Angle avenue. He was a
man Of most exemplary habits and during
his long service with the express company
had accumulated considerable property. His
parents live in Pennsylvania and last sum
mer Howe enjoyed the first vacation he
had taken for a number OF years and paid
them a visit. He was about so years OF
age.
Gordon is also an old time express mes
senger. His home is in Denver. Colo.
Until about three months ago his run was
from Denver to Julesburg. but since then
he has been running through to this city.
Harry Nicholson. a clerk in the express
once. had a narrow escape. He was stand
ing but a few feet from Howe and was in
direct line Of the gun wien 1t was dis
charged.
Coroner Treynor had not decided last
night whether to hold an inquest or not.