The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1914-08-13
]. MORT ROTHWELL
SHOT TO DEATH ON STREETS
OF CRAB ORCHARD.

his former home, was shocked by the
news that j. Mort Rothwell had been
shot to death on the streets of Crab
Orchard by bud. Shelton, and that
Shelton had made his escape.
The particulars OF the affair in so far
as we are able to obtain them are as
follows:-Mr. Rothwell is SAID to have
had an account in his hands against
the father of Shelton for a citizen of
Grab Orchard, and had instituted suit
for the enforcement of the claim; Shell
ton settled the account, and meeting
Rothwell on the streets of Crab Orchard
on Saturday morning, an argument
took place over the payment of the
costs of the litigation, during which
time it is said blows were struck be-
tween the elder Shelton and Rothwell;
Rothwell had turned to leave him. when
bud Shelton came up from some un-
known direction and opened fire on
Rothwell, the first shot taking effect
in his hip, another an inch below and
to the right of the navel and a third
entering the fieshy part of the right
arm below the elbow, and penetrating
the left breast.
Mr.. Rothwell staggered across the
street and friends seeing he was about
to fall supported him and he was car
ried into the Perkins hotel, where he
died in about twenty minutes. After
Shelton had fired the third shot, Sam
Ramsey, Marshal of Crab Orchard
rushed across the street, calling on
Shelton not to shoot again when Shell
ton turned the weapon on Ramsey.
shooting him in the leg, breaking that
member below the knee and infiicting
a very painful and dangerous wound.
Shelton then rushed away in the direct
ion of the Fair ground and succeeded
in making good his escape. Notwith-
standing Sheriff Weatherford and a
possee have been securing the locality
for him, he has not as yet been cap
tured. Immediately following the
tragedy, excitement ran high in Crab
Orchard where Mr.. Rothwell stands
very high and has many friends, and
had Shelton been captured, he would
doubtless have been summarily dealt
with.
A telephone message was at once
sent to Lancaster and many of Mr..
Rothwell's friends from this place went
to the scene and assisted in doing what
they could in endeavoring to capture
Shelton and preparing the remains of
the dead man for removal to Lancaster.
On Sunday morning his remains were
brought to the home of his relative
Mrs. Thomas Austin, and at 4 o'clocl.
Sunday afternoon, all that was mortal
of this brilliant young man was laid to
rest beside his mother in the Lancaster
cemetery. The Richmond Commandery
Knight Templars of which he was a
member, assisted by the Danville Com
mandery had charge of the funeral
ceremonies, and the local Blue Lodge
of Masons, to which Mr.. Rothwell be-
longed, acted as an escort. A large
concourse of people gathered at the
grave, despite driving rain, to pay
their last sad respects to this popular
young man.
Mort" Rothwell. as he was lovingly
known in Lancaster, was a Garrard
county boy, born and raised here. and
was a young man of brilliant attain.
ments. He was born in 1870 and a son
of Mr.. Samuel d. and the late Mrs.
Eliza Rothwell. Many years ago he
was admitted to the practice of law,
and for number of years was one OF
the abl9st practitioners at the local
bar, and one of the brightest young at
torneys in Central Kentucky. A few
years ago failing health forced him to
give up active practice, and he went to
Dripping Springs, which was owned
and operated by his parents, in the
hope of regaining his health. For
many years he has lived alternately at
Dripping Springs and Grab Orchard,
and we are informed had in a measure
regalned his his health. and expected
shortly to move to Whitesburg, KY, to
practice his profession.
Mort Rothwell was man of attrac-
tive personality, loyable disposition
and one whose society was sought by
his fellow men. He was popular
throughout this part of the state where
he had wide acquaintance, and in his
home town everyone knew and admired
him.
He is survived by his aged father,
and the heart rending grief of this aged
and respected man was a sad spectacle,
consolation seemed not for him, al
though all that kind and loving friends
could do was done to console. The
heartfelt sympathy of the entire county
goes odt to this stricken old gentleman
in his terrible grief, and a pail was
cast over the entire community over
the sad and sudden demise of this splen-
did young man.