Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-23
COTTON MAN IS
SLAIN BY BURGLAR
]. w. SHUMATE FOUND DEAD
IN HIS STORE =
SUSPECT IS UNDER ARREST
Citizens Of the Town Are Aroused
and Have Offered One Thousand
Dollars Reward for the MUIR
derer's Capture
Special to The Herald.

Special to The Herald.
COTTON. March 22.-J. W. Shumate,
who for the past two years has con-
Quoted a dry goods store on Eighth
street. was found dead in his store
early this morning, shot through the
head by burglar. About two weeks
ago Shumate's store was entered and
goods of considerable value taken.
Since that time the owner has slept
next intruder. He came few nights
ago, and Shumate flashed an electric
light on him. He recognized the face
and declared that he would get the
fellow or the fellow would get him.
He refused to tell whom he saw, and
this clue may never be available to the
officers.
Harry Nicholson, newsboy, discov-
cred the crime about 6 o'clock this
morning, as he was passing the store.
He noticed that the outside door had
been pried open and entering found the
owner lying in a pool of blood at the
end of the counter and close by his
cot. In one hand he grasped a double
barrelled shotgun, one barrel of which
had been discharged. In return for
this shot he had received bullet in
the side of the head which had crushed
in the skull and caused instant death.
Close by the door a 3S-caliber revolver
was found with four empty chambers.
Near by was an iron with which en-
trance to the store was effected.
Reward for sayer's Capture
The feeling among the citizens of
Cotton is running high over the affair.
and if Shumate's murderers are caught
there the officers will have their hands
full to prevent a lynching.
Shumate was man greatly beloved.
The business men of Cotton have made
up reward of $1,000 which they have
offered for the arrest and conviction of
Shumate's murderers, and this will be
added to very literally by the county.
The officers have some clues on which
to work. Some bloody tracks leading
from the store have been found, and
it is strongly believed that at least
one of the robbers was wounded by
the charge of shot from Shumate's
shotgun, one load having been dis
fired just as he arose from his cot
as he fell a moment later not more
than two steps away.
Shumate has been bothered a great
deal by robbers, his store having been
entered but very recsntly. At that
time he got a partial sight at the
thieves and had he not stumbled in
reaching for his gun would have got
shot at them. After that affair he
told his wife the names of the parties
he suspected. These names were given
to Sheriff White today by the widow
and may be clue to the robbers.
One suspect has been arrested, the
party's name being refused by the Off
GERS.
Suspect In Jail
He is said to be stranger and to
have bloodmarks on his clothing. He
is in the county jail The officers are
using every effort to land the mur-
derers. So far as discovered but two
persons heard any shots during the
night. those being persons in nearby
rooming houses who think the shooting
was about a. M, but paid no atten-
tion to the shots.
Coroner H. Pittman held an inquest
extending late into the evening, the
jury rendering verdict of death from
gunshot wound from a person dr
persons unknown.
Shumate was 81 years OF age and had
lived in Cotton for several years. He
was clerk in Steck's store for several
years, and for the past two years had
conducted a dry goods store Of his
own. He married widow with two
children about two years ago. Shu-
mate was Grand Chancellor of the Col
ton Pythian lodge and was prominent
in Odd Fellow circles as wall