Ripley County democrat., 1912-05-03
George Eastman Killed.

George Eastman was shot in the body
four or tve times last Tuesday evening
on the street 10 Poplar BluE. and as
resplt Of the wounds died at his home
In that city abOust o'clock last Wednes-
day morning.
The trouble originated, we learn, this
way: Some days ago he had had a law
suit with man, claiming commission
on the sale Of some real estata; that he
said he had been instrumental in maxi
ing the deal, The case was tried by a
jury and they found from the evidence
that he had no case and gave VI iict
to that elfect-iound for the defendant.
This made George mad and he harbored
a grudgs against the members OF the
jury and told some Of his eronies he
would get even with them.
Wednesday he got drunk and when In
the proper condition started out to hunt
up the members OF the jury and start
trouble. He tried some OF them but
could not start anything with them and
finally met Dennis Smith, an employe
OF the Autograph Co., who had been on
the Jury. George was good and drpnk
as we'll as mad by this time and as soon
as he ran upon Smith started row. He
pulled out long-bladed knife and
started at Smith. who promptly pulled a
gun out Of his poGiGat AID pumped five
balls into his body. As Smith acted
entirely in self defense he was not ar
rested, and the officers were told by
citizens that they could have all the
bail they wanted IL II was necessary to
arrest him.
Esstham was taken homo and an ex-
animation showed that he could not
live. About 4 o'clock Wednesday morn
idg he called out TO his wife, "Lou,
como and bid me od-bye, for here's
where we dissolve partnership" and In
few moments he was dead.
George Eastham was tried In this
county few years ago as an accessory
10 the murder OF Charles Stacey, the
particulars OF that crime and the subse-
quent trial being remembered by all
vbo we're living here then. George
Eastman has always been considered
the instigator Of the trouble that re-
suited In the shooting on that pleasant
Sunday in June, tix years ago, OF his
brother and Charles Stacey, Willis East
ham being killed. (he vt the time being
under bond for trial charged with kill
ing his wife), Stacey being also killed,
George having hrutally taken up
Stacey's pistol after he had been shot to
the death by William Eastman and
pounded the dying mans head and face
to n bruised and crushed mass, He was
tried for the murder, but having had nc
gun during the shooting, and not hev-
ing killed Stacey by shooting, vas moi
convicted. William Eastman, who did
kill Stacey, escaped at the time, was
aitnrwagds found in Arkapsas where he
had married and ssttled down, was ar
rested and brought back here, tried and
found guilty and sentenced to the peni'
tontlary for thirty years, the case being
appealed to the supreme court and sem
back for rehearing on error, and will b'
tried, IL Is said. at q special session o
circuit court the first week or two IL
next month.
George Eastman met the fate tina
nearly all who were acquainted will
him predicted would befall him, TO
while drunk he was quarrelsome am
oyerbearins though rather a pleasan
natured fellow when sober.
The coroner's jury at the inquest re-
turned a verdict In accordance with tn
statement above and found that Smitl
sbot In self defense. The prosecute
said he would file no information, no
take no steps TO prosecute Smith.