The Newark journal. (Newark, Ark.) 1901-1959, 1909-03-05
Vol. 8. No. AZ
GEORGE CR0sSER KILLED
Shot Saturday Night by City Marshal
j. w. Fetzer

George Crosser, Jr., was shot and
killed Saturday night about 11:30
O'Clock by City Marshal J. w. Fetzer.
The tragedy occurred on the sidewalk
on Front street, just few feet east of
the corner of Main and Front. There
were no people on the streets at the
time and the tragedy was Witnessed by
only two persons, these two being
Hugh Barnett and Estes Nash.
Mr.. Fetzer was attacked by Crosser
with double-barelled shot gun, and
the killing was held by the coroner's
jury to have been justifiable.
An inquest was held Sunday by
Coroner Finn, and from the evidence
adduced at the inquest, the details of
the tragedy are about as follows:
Crosser had been drinking and
about Ii o'clock he and Estes Nash
started home. They met Marshal
Fetzer and Crosser asked him some
questions about written Confession
regarding an affair Crosser is alleged
to have had some connection with.
Crosser became angered and is alleged
to have applied vile epithet to the
marshal, whereupon he struck Crosser
on the side OF the head with his club
and asked him if he would go home.
Crosser and the Nash boy immediate
ly started home, but Crosser is said
to have remarked to Fetzer that he
would "get him before morning"
The marshal is required to carry a
punch-clock at night, and after Cross
er left he continued on Ills regular
beat. Coming down Front street some
twenty minutes later he was accosted
by Hugh Barnett who asked him to go
to the Galloway House with him and
get bed for him Barnettl for the
night, as the hotel was closed and Mr..
Fetzer had been accustomed to getting
room for anyone who came in after
! rsonlar- hours. They were walking
down the sidewalk together, when, JusU-
after passing E. K. Aliens store, on
the corner of Main and Front streets,
they met Crosser and young Nash.
When in about eight or ten feet of
each other, Cresser is said to have
levelled double barelled shot gun on
Fetzer's breast and commanded him
to throw up his hands. Fetzer at once
drew his gun and began firing at
Crosser, firing five shots in rapid
tell tn no o.
walk and expired almost instantly.
Crosser's gun was a double-barrell-
ed, automatic hammerless, and it is
supposed that its failure to work
properly is all that pre- vented his kill
ing the officer. Besides the two loads
in the gun, three loaded shells were
found in Crosser's pockets after the
killing.
The body was removed to the city
hall where it remained until after it
was viewed by the coroner's jury at l
O'Clock Sunday afternoon. The cor
oner's jury was composed of the fol-
lowing gentlemen: John Austin, Geo.
Gilbreath, w. G. Minis, N. M. Will
son, II. +. Hawthorne, j. NJ. Martin,
E. NJ. Wilson, j. w. Seward, NJ. S.
Fisher, G.. L. Saylors, G. Nj. Fields,
ID. G. Lane and T. j. Raney. After
hearing the testimony Of the witnesses
the jury returned the following verdict:
1--WE the jury find that Geo. Crosser,
Jr., came to his death by gunshot
wounds inflicted by the hands of J. W.
Fetzer, who was acting in necessary
self defense"
The remains were buried Tuesday
morning at Blue Springs cemetery,
Rev. J.. F. Cossey conducting services
at the grave.