The Greeley tribune., 1907-10-03
SHOT
QUARREL NEAR JOHNSTOWN
MAY END FATALLY
W Il. Davis Victim OF b. 1.
wilson's Gun-Criticism OF
Board Furnished Laid
as Cause

Another shooting affair with Sc
rious ending occurred between farm
ers four miles south of JohnStowi
last Sunday evening. The principals
were William II. Davis and Hiram
IT. Wilson The latter was shot
three times, one bullet entering the
back of his head, coming out through
the forehead: another entering the
abdomen and remaining there and a
third bullet striking the victim in
one hip. Wilson claims that he was
shooting In self defense. There were
several eye witnesses to the affair,
two of them, George and Gus Muir
ray, being now in the county jail.
Wilson was arrested the same night
that the shooting occurred, BY Sheriff
Ben H. Florance and Deputy Sheriff
Al Dickerson, who were called over
there after Wilson had refused to
surrender to the officers at Johns
town. The two witnesses in jail,
who may be charged with being ac-
cessories to the crime, refuse to make
any statement about the case.
So near as can be learned the de-
tails are like this: John Davis and
his son, W. Fl. Davis, have been
renting the DR.. Steurwald ranch,
four miles south of Johnstown.
Hiram Wilson has rented the place
for next year and had already moved
there with his family. The Davises,
father and son, we're boarding with
the Wilson's until the former could
secure their crop. Some criticism
of the board furnished is said to have
been the original cause of the quar-
rel, which lasted all day Sunday. 1t
is claimed that Wilson came to town
during the day and bought gun.
Later in the day the quarrel was re-
newed and meantime, it is said,
young Davis had also armed himself
When the men finally came together
at about dusk firing was commenced
Immediately and three bullets from
Wilson's gun took effect. According
to his story young Davis fred two
shots from his gun before he fell.
Wilson then picked up the other
mans gun and still had 1T, with two
chambers empty, when he was ar
rested A hole in his coat, which
he claims was made by a bullet from
Davis gun, tends to bear out his
story.
Tie two Murray brothers, who
we're at the house when the fight &C.
CURED. we're visiting Wilson for the
day. 1t is claimed that they took
part in the fight to the extent Of one
of them striking the old man Davis
over the head with club.
After the shooting the Murrays
carried the injured man to a nearby
house and later he was taken to the
nospllal IN LongmOnt.
Officers from Johnstown went tc
the scene of trouble but Wilson re.
fused to go with them. Sheriff Flor.
ance was then called up and went
over there. Wilson made no resist.
ance when the sheriff called upor
him to come out, but he had his dool
barricaded with the bed to prevent
entrance bv others.
AS there was considerable feelin,
against Wilson In Johnstown TIN
sheriff took his prisoner by diffelen
road ana came to Greeley, arriving
here at ab-ut 2 O'Clock In the morn
ing.
At about noon Monday Deput
Sheriff Ed. Riker and Constabl
John SAMSON of Johnstown brouph
the two Murray boys to Greeley an
had them locked up.
Hiram Wilson and his famil
!, came to Weld county recently fror
Ashville, N. G. The elder Davj
has lived in this section for the mas
forty years and is we'll known.