Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-05-07

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In front of one OF the most dismal
and repulsive little dives on Smoky
Row at 1:10 o'clock yesterday after
noon Miles Morrow, wealthy young
farmer from Trenton. Henry country,
shot and almost instantly killed Ben
Farrell, young colored man In the
midst Of quarrel originating over
Mary Judson, a disreputable character
who conducted the dive.
Morrow claims self-defense. Far
rell's friends says deliberate murder.
The coroner's jury finds the killing
felOnious and Morrow has his prelimiu-.
ary hearing befMe Justice G. q. Ayras
stSsday.
The stories told by eye Witnesses Of
the shooting vary in every conceiy-
able manner. From evidence present.
ed before the coroner's inquest yester.
day, however, this much seems GER
tain; Morrow had been in the Judson
house, near the corner Of Mill and
Union streets during the morning and
he and the woman had been quarrel-
ing. The woman claims that Morrow
had been beating her, and that Farrell
when at the house earlier In the.
morning, had warned Morrow not 10
do again. He, says Mary, again grew
abusive and she sent little colored
girl named Hazel Carter to call Far.
rell.
Farrell came to the house, accom-.
panied by Son" Winn. Morrow saw
him coming and left the house and
met him in the yard. A few words
followed. Both drew guns and Morrow
fired, the bullet entering Farrell's left
breast about an inch below the clavi-
Gle, penetrating the largest artery and
vein respectively and lodging behind
the left shoulder blade.
Gives Himself Up.
Farrell staggered and fell, dying
within three minutes after the fatal
shot was fired Morrow turned and
walked away, going up Union street
to Main where he met Officer ]. E.
Beaman, to whom he gave himself
up. He was followed by large mum.
ber Of colored people but these did
not molest him.
Mary Judson stood In the door ot
her home and saw the shooting. When
Farrell's head on her lap. Afterwards
| thought that she was dying. Later,
testify at the coroner's inquest.
On the witness stand and under
oath the Judson woman swore that
she did not SEQ Farrell have q gun
yet when DIR. A. o. Williams reached
the dead man 38 calibre American
bull dog revolver was found lying un
derneath his body The gun was load
ed in every chamber and showed thai
4 1t had not been fired.
Post-M ortem Held.
4 Officer Beaman took Morrow to Tho
police station. Coroner s. e. o'Neil
assisted by Or, A. o. Williams AMI
DR.. Rudolph Oden held a post-mortem
examination as soon as Farrelfs body
could be taken to the undertaking par
lors of 8. A. Crowley.
4 At 1880 o'clock the coroner's IN
quest was held. The jury brought In I
verdict stating that Farrell came d
his death as a result OF q pistd
wound inflicted by Morrow at Ill
O'clock Sunday afternoon, and this
the shooting was felonious. A war
rant for the formal arrest OF Morrow
was then sworn out and his hearinl
ordered held before Justice Ayres 70
day. The coroner's jury was compoa
ed Of Fred Stevens, William Hoggs
woning and Thomas Lancey.
i Yesterday on the stand May JudsoI
!, swore that Morrow left the house AMI
met Farrell in front Without an,
provocation, says Mary, Morroy
cursed Farrell, then drew his gun an
fred.
Morrow Talks Of Decd.
Morrow, while not on the stand yel
terday, stated this morning that h
had been at the woman's house durini
the night before and that about
o'clock In the morning Farrell cam
Z to the house and drove him out. Late