The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1902-02-20
Shot Down In Cold Blood.

OHe VI JHS iuOsJ uldDOliCdi CilhOe
ever committed by man in the
annals of criminalogy occurred in
our town Tuesday afternoon al
300 p. M.---when prominent
citizen was shot down in cold blood
for the paltry sum of one dollar,
which he did not owe, and which
in all justice he had no right tc
pay.
The citizens Of our town were
greatly shocked to learn Of the
shooting of John Hedges by j. L.
West. Hedges is well and favor
ably known here having been en-
gagged in the hardware and tin
business until recently, since which
time he has been operating a small
mine and shipping coal. Hereto
fore he has borne good reputa-
tion and has not been involved in
any alteration.
West has for many year. been
engaged in business here, conduct
ing a general store. He is addict
ed to the drink habit, which has
twice resulted in his being closed
up by his creditors; he took the
Keeley-cure a few years ago but
has been tipling for more than a
year past, and since the holidays
has been more or less under the in
Huence of liquor.
West and Hedges were apparent
ly the best Of friends until a few
minutes before the shooting took
place.
The alteration arose over an
account. 1t seems that one of
Hedges men contracted a debt at
Vests store amounting to $1,000,
for which Hedges "stood good" or
agreed to pay. Hedges and West
met in Donley and Ebert's saloon
and were having a glass of beer to-
gether and engaged in a friendly
game of dice at which game Hedges
won $500 from West, Hedges then
remarked that he had check for
a certain sum of money up home
which he would bring down and
have West cash and take out the
sum which he owed West to which
West replied that she would never
see him again that day" and that
"he did not believe that he intend
ded to pay the account" where
upon Hedges said that he had the
money Che had just got check for
$4,000 cashed by Eberts before
West came in) and would go over
and settle up.
They went over to Vests store
where Hedges gave West a $1,000
bill out of which to take the $12.00
West kept out the $1,000 and al
extra dollar for interest, to which
Hedges objected, which resulted il
quarrel over the matter whel
West struck Hedges and knocked
hi i'm down, and kicked him abou
the face and body; Hedges finally
got on his feet, walked to thu
counter in q dazed condition, ant
got possession of two weight
which were laying near the scales
whereupon West drew from hi
pocket Smith and Wesson 8
caliber revolver and fired thre
shots at Hedges-two taking effect
one, entering the cheek the othe
entering the body just above tn
short ribs running upward on tn
breast bone to the region above tn
heart.
Hedges thereupon staggered on
of the store onto the street Whe
he was carried to his brother, DI
F. L. Hedges office. Drs. Switzel
Barrow and Winters were summon
ed and all that medical skill coul
do was done; but Hedges condit
ion growing more serious, he wa
taken to hospital in Columbu
Thursday morning. His conditio
is very serious and no hope is Ell
tertained of his recovery.
West was arrested and boun
over to court without bail and VIZ
Immediately taken to New Lexinl
ton and placed in jail to escape ii
FRENZY of the people who wonl'
no doubt, have lynched him had |
!, remained here that night.
1t is the commission of sue
crimes as these which has give
our town 81 had name and IL ia
: be regretted that such things occ'
not only for the sake Of the tv