The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1905-08-17
Con McKune, Formerly of Keno
sha, Shoots Dorothy Nelson
in Racine Last Night
TURNS REVOLVER ON HIMSELF
Fired Two Shots Into the Girls Body
and an Equal Number Into His
Own Breast-Both Still Live but
Their Condition is Critical

Poor old drunken "Con'' McKune.
a former resident of this city aud a
son of John McKune so long in the
piano business in Kenosha, reached
the end of his rope Thursday night
and now he lies on a hospital cot in
the county jait at Racine, charged
with attempting to murder Dorothy
Nelson, an Is year old girl, who was
employed in his fathers store.
After twice shooting Miss Nelson
McKune turned his revolver against
his own breast and fired two shots,
one of which perforated the lung. It
is thought that he cannot recover but
more hope is expressed for his victim.
McKune is of course under arrest and
should he recover from his se1f-in-
ficted wounds he faces long term
in prison on charge of attempted
murder.
The tragedy occurred just after 10
o'clock Thursday night at the corner
of Tenth street and the railway in
Racine. McKune had been drinking
heavily during the evening and to-
wards 10 O'Clock he started, suppos-
eddy, for his home. At the crossing
of the railway he lay in wait for Miss
Nelson and when she reached the
spot without word of warning Nc
Kune sprang from his hiding place
and began firing. The first bullet
took effect in the left breast and Miss
Nelson started to run. The second
shot struck her under the left shout
der and she fell to the ground. Nc
Kune then turned the revolver on him
self and fired two shots into his
breast.
In second great crowd had been
gathered by the sound of the shots
and McKune had been captured less
than a block from the spot where the
shooting had occurred. 1t was not
known that he was wounded until he
was taken to the county jail and then
it was found that his shirt was COW
cred with blood and an examination
revealed two CHASTITY bullet holes in
his breast.
Miss Nelson and her wou1d-be STAY
er were hurried to the hospital in the
same ambulance and during the
night the doctors removed the two
bullets from McKune and the one
that entered the breast of Miss Mel
son. The other bullet has not as yet
been found. This morning, just be-
fore noon, it was stated that the doc
tors have hopes for the recovery of
Miss Nelson, but the condition of Nc
Kune is decidedly critical and he may
die at any minute.
The cause Of the tragedy is found
in the old story of Con McKune so
we'll known to Kenosha people. Nc
Kune had been drinking. His life for
the past month had been one contin-
nal debauch and on account of this
fact his father had discharged him
from place in the piano store and
had refused to give him money to buy
drink. The man had pawned his
clothing and everything of value that
he possessed in order to secure liquor.
He went to the store Thursday after
noon and made an effort to get back
to work but his father refused to have
anything to do with him. Then he
went to his home and told his mother
that he had secured a good job in Ke-
nosha and was planning TO come to
this city Thursday night. He stated
that he needed four dollars to pay a
weeks board and his car fare to this
city.
Always forgiving, Mrs. McKune
thought that the son had finally de-
cided to straighten up and live de-
cent life and she gave him the money
he had asked for. Then it was that
McKune was able to complete his
plans for the murder and suicide. He
went at once to, hardware store and
with the money which he had wrung
from his mother he purchased a re
volver and cartridges. He went at
once to the spot where he lay in wait
for Miss Nelson. The report that Nc
Kune was disappointed lover is dis
credited by the memberssof his family
and friends. He had taken dislike
to Miss Nelson because she had sew
era1 times objected to his being in the
store and he held that she stood be-
tween him and his fatherIinlhis efforts
to get back on the pay rol1.of the com
pany.
The Nelson girl had no premonition
Of trouble and went b1indly to her
fate. The wounded girl is well known
in Racine as she is sister of DR.. A.
L. Nelson, one of the leading ply
sicians of that city.
The report of the tragedy caused a
sensation in Kenosha Thursday night
and police hurried to Racine to aid
the officials in identifying McKune.
LAKE GENEVA