McClure - Walter Briget
Source: Logansport Daily Journal, 31 Jan 1891, page 5, col. 1 - thanks, Marsha E :)
One of the saddest affairs in the history of Crawfordsville occurred yesterday morning, about 3 o'clock, in which Walter McClure, a bright and popular young society man, and the son of D. F. McClure, a dry-goods merchant, was fatally shot. Together with Hal Ensminger and A. V. Randall, the latter of Shelbyville, and a student of Wabash College, they were returning from a dance and were walking along the street, McClure being about half a block behind the other two. Suddenly Ensminger and Randall heard a cry, and upon looking around they saw their companion reeling toward them, saying that he was shot. A surgeon was summoned, who pronounced his wound a fatal one the ball having penetrated near the heart. The police shadowed the house from which the bullet came and toward morning arrested Charles Coombs, a well digger, who, with his family, occupy the premises. Coombs gave himself up without trouble, and said that some one had disturbed his sick wife several times during the night, so he took his target-gun and fired out into the darkness, without aiming at any one. He expressed no regret over the affair, however, and as he has never borne the best of reputations it will likely go hard with him. Ensminger and Randall deny that there was any particular disturbance, and. McClure in his ante-mortem statement, says that the only thing he did was to strike the fence with a loose picket.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 7 Feb 1891 p 5
The TAO dance continued until about 2 o'clock Friday morning and after it was over Hal Ensminger, AV Randall and Walter McClure went out for a walk in the fresh air. As they walked down north Walnut Street one of them carelessly continued to strike the fence with a cane or stick he carried in his hand. As they passed the residence of Charley Coombs he supposing them to be some parties who had been disturbing him some time before raised his window and fired at them with a target rifle. The ball struck Mr. McClure below the left shoulder, the ball ranging toward the heart, near which it lodged. Mr. McClure called out that he was shot and after walking a short distaince fell. One of his companions went for a doctor and another for a cab. The other with the assistance of Henry Brown, colored, carried him into an adjoining house where he remained until a cab came, when he was carried to his father's home on South Water street. The doctors pronounced his heart wounded and gave him no hope of recovery. At the hour this paper goes to press he is still alive though very low. Mr. McClure is a son of DF McClure of the Trade Palace and a most popular young man. Mr. Randal is a Sr. in Wabash College and Mr. Ensminger, a son of Marshall Ensminger. The affiar has caused great excitement. Coombs is in jail and freely admits to the shooting stating that he did it unintentionally not knowing that he was shooting in the direction of the boys.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Sat March 28, 1891
It was 10 o'clock Monday before the case of the State of Indiana vs. Charles Coombs was brought up. The court room was full wihthout being dcrowded; witnesses, attorneys, reporters, and officers making up the largest part of the audience. When Coombs came in, in charge of Policeman Brothers, he looked neither to the right nor to the left, but with a downcast, hopeless air took his seat near his attorney sand buried his face in his hands. He seems now to fully realize on what a slender thread his life and liberty hang. The roll of witnesses for the prosecution and the defense were called by Deputy Davis and all those present answered to their names. There were 33 for the prosecution and 32 for the defense. The regular petit jury then took their seats and were asked by Prosecutor Moffett whether they had formed any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant. Only 3 had done so. DS Enoch, HH McDaniel who had talked with witnesses and Isaac H. Montgomery who had read an account of the murder in the Crawforedsville Journal. None of them were opposed to the death penalty. The State excused Mr. McDaniel. Jonathan Nutt was called and having formed an opinion which would prevent him giving the defendant a fair and impartial trial was excused. SS Imel of Garfield, a son of Fred Imel, a juror in the Petit trial was called and answered all questions satisfactorily. The Stae then passed the jury. MW Bruner then questioned the juiry for the defense. Wm. W. Steele had read about the murder in the Crawforesville Jouranl but had not talked to any witnesses. RG Crist of New Market and Wm. Bromlehy of this city had read the account in the C'ville Journal The defense challenged DS Enoch peremptorily and JW Perry of New Ross was called.The defense challenge dhim for cause. Eli Armentrout was called. The defense challenged JW Nicey preemptorily and Asher Wert was called. James Amos of CC was excused by the defense and Squire Warbritton of New Market was called. He had read The C"ville J accounts of the murder. The defense challenged him prerepotorily and John B. Robinson of this city was called. He was challenged for cause, Capt HH Talbot was the next venireman. The defense excused James N. Riley formerly of New Market, now of this city; Brook Thomas was called and excused. Samuel Fisher took his place and the defense passed the jury. The State questioned Eli Armentrout and finding him a little shaky on the death penalty excused him. Levi Martin, was ushered in by Deptuty Davis, but was veyr reluctant to take his seat and to be excused. Of course the court refused to do this and Mr. Martin with evident disapointment took his place among the jurors. The state excused Asher Wert, Jacob M. Harshbarger ws called and on account of sickness of his family was excused by the court. It being noon, court adjourned. During the whole morning Coombs had his face in his hands only removing them occasionally to speak to his attorneys, M.W. Bruner and Col. Sellar. At an adjoining table was seated Prosecutors Moffett & AB Anderson wtih DF McClure and George Graham nearby for consulation. The work of getting a jury proceeded very slowly, because there was no special venire and Dept Davis had to search the streets for freeholders. John Lockridge was called and excused, Jacob Swank and Edward Goff were called. The defense asked each juryman if he thought it was even right to take human life to defense of home and property and also if he had any prejudice against the defendant. Every man answered satisfactorily and the defense passed. In a moment the state passed and the following 12 men stood up to be sworn: BM Galey, Browns Valley, Amazong Ward, city; RG Crist, New Market; Wm. H. Montgomery, Linden; Wm. Bromley, city; George Guntle, Darlington of the regular panel and Capt. HH Talbot city; Levi Martin, Union Twp; Edward Goff, CC Twp; Jacob Swank, Union; Samuel B. Fisher, New Market and SS Imel, Garfield.
Prosecutor Moffett made the opening statement for the prosecution Monday afternoon. It was a short narrative of what they would prove by witneses, nothing very new being told. At the close he said he would confidently ask for a verdict of guilty of murder in the 1st ... was positive that the letter was the word they could find the defendant guilty or if indeed the evidence would not show that he was guilty of no crime at all AV Randall: Of Shelbyville, who was a student in Wabash colleg 29 Jan. He met Walter McClure at Scott Steele's after the dance between 12 & 1 o'clock. Witness left with Hal Ensminger with two other young men and Walter McClure all going to the Clipper saloon. Between 2 and 3 left the saloon with Ensminger & McClure and went to Nutt House to get some cigars. Next went to Lida Birchfields remaining about 5 minutes. It was after 3 then and witness with the two companions went to Madame Jennie Bailey's house. Came south on Walnut Street after leaving there. McClure stopped to do something to a fence in front of house just north of Coomb's house and thus wintess and Ensminger got in front of McClure. Witness and Ensminger did no loud talking or hollowing in front of Coomb's house nor did McClure when he passed along. He did however strike on the fence with a club or picket. Next heard a shot and McClure called out that he was shot. Looking around saw him reeling and in a momnent he fell on the north crossing at the intersection of Spring Street. He said he was shot near the heart. Prosecutor Moffett asked the witness to detail the circumstances after the shot was fired and he spoke as follows. "When Walter fell on the ground, Hal and I hastened back and asked him what was the matter. He said he was shot. We asked him where. He said, "near the heart." We asked him if he could walk to the hotel and he said he would try. We helped him up and walked as far as across the street in the middle of Spring Street; coming south he fell again and couldn't go any father. As soon as he fell the second time Hal immediately started after the doctor and said, "you remain here."
I staid there with him about half a minute. I then picked him in my arms and thought I would carry him to the hotel. He complained that I hurt him. Something flashed through my mind to feel his pulse. I did so and he didn't have any. At least if he did I could not find it. I knew the circulation had stopped and it was not safe to carry him any farther. I went to the sidewalk and laid him down righ tin front of Mrs. blue's gate. Immediately went in and knocked on the front. Mrs. Blue let me in and asked what was the matter. I told that Walter McClure had been shot and I wanted a pillow for his head. After I laid him down on the ground I took off my overcoat and the coat I have on and covered him up. He asked for a pillow and it was then I went in after it. Mrs. Blue dressed and came out. When I put the pillow under his head Walter complained of his limbs being cold. He was very restless and kept begging me to take him home. I told him we would not move him until the doctor came. I rubbed his limbs to keep them war. Mrs. Blue said, "Where are you hurt/ and Walter replied, "near the heart," and all the time he was begging to be taken home. I asked Mrs. Blue if we could not carry him into the house and she said certainly. Then a neighbor came and with his assistance we carried him into the north room of Mrs. Blue's house and laid him on a sofa. Soon as Dr. Ensminger arrived we carried him into the bedroom and upon examination he pronounced the wound fatal. Bige Bayless was sent after DF McClure and witness went after George Graham. Afterwards helped get Walter home. It was a light morning and a human being could be seen 2 or 3 squares away. When witness saw McClure he was 75' away. McClure had on light colored overcoat an trousers. When witness looked around after the shot McClure was about 75' from Coombs' house. McClure, Ensminger and wintess were all sober. Cross; Went immediatley to Scott Steels' after taking young lady home form the dance, not stopping at the Clipper then. The crowd drank nothing but beer at the Clipper. Witness took a bottle of wine form the case but intended to pay for it. Did not take more than 5 or six beers. Did not try to get in the Nutt House bar. Don't remember of stopping in front of Mrs. Blues and inviting her to come out and get a licking. Did not have any trouble at Mrs. Birchfield's but did plead guilty to charge preferred by her of provoke. Did not know Chalrey Coombs then. Did not break bricks on his sidewalk or slam the gate in front of the house north of Coombs. Redirect - The reason the witness plead guilty to the charge of provoke was in order to avoid the publicity of a trial.
Hal Ensminger - Son of City Marshal Ensminger was called. He corroborated Randall in every important particular and also said that he saw no light in Coombs' house Heard McClure running immediately after Coombs opened the door. ... would not have visited those houses if they had not been drinking Tuesday - A large crowd assembled this monring in the court room and promplty at 9 o'clock with all interested parties present. Court was called to order and the first witness summoned was Wm. E. Howard who lives in the north o=part of the house occupied by Charley Coombs. Was awakened the morning of Jan 30 by noise as if something struck Mr. Comb's part of the house. Was sleeping in room next to the street at the time. After the noise heard someone got out of bed in Coombs' room; then someone running on the sidewalk then the door opened and 2 or 3 shots were fired. Hear someone say, "Now you d;...s-o-a-b I reckon you know I live here and will protect my property." The next was some one moaning and a voice said, "Can't you walk?" The voices seemd to come from about the Spring Street crossing. Witness retired and arose agian about 5 o'clock. AFter building a fire coombs came in and siad, 'Did you hear the little racket this monring," and said he was only protecting his proeprty and watned witness to testify as to what occureed. Charley said they had been throwing clubs at th ehouse but wintess did not see any missiles lying around. When Buck Brothers came he asked Charley about the shooting and Charley said he did it and would do it again under the same circumstances." Brothers said he would have done so also. Mrs. Coombs was present and in a sick and nervous condition. Coombs has two guns. Cross: There might have been other disturbances that night wwithout witness and family hearing it as they had lost a good deal of sleep on account of a sick child. The distance from Coomb's door to the sugar tree is 100'. From the tree to Spring street at least 50.' The reason witness could not see the parties because it was too dark. Witness thought perhaps his own boy was out there but went upstairs and found him in bed. Told his wife that Charley Coombs had been shooting and was afraid he had hurt some one. When Coombs came in there was nothing said about anybody being shot. Charley however said he didn't think they could do anything to him. Made no particular examination for clubs or missiles around the house. Met Charley a second time in front of his house about daylight and he said three clubs had been thrown against the house. Then at Charley's invitation witness went in to see his sick wife. Nothing was said there about anybody being shot. It is a very common thing for drunken men to go by laughing, yelling and dancing but not to throw clubs at houses. While Brothers was there and after Charley had learned that McClure was hurt he said that he had not aimed at anyone. Miss Ota Jordan then asked what McCLure it was. Brothers first remark about the shooting was, "Charley do you know you have killed a man?" Charley then dropped his head and to Jordan asked who it was. Dr. SL Enminger - A physician and surgeon of 17 years practice.
Was called to the house of Mrs. Blue at 4 o'clock in the monring. Witness immediately saw that Walter McClure who wast here was in a dying condition and he told those presnt. He was conscious and lmost pulseless. he was wounded by a bullet which entered through the 8th rib about 4" to the left of the backbone. He asked for something to relieve the pain. Saw him taken to his father's house. He died from the effect of the wound. Made a post mortem and found a .22 caliber bullet had cut the largest artery leading form the heart called the aorta. This caused the loss of blood to be gradual and the internal cavities were filled with blood. the bullet was here exhibited to the jury. The bullet penetrated the body in a horizontal direction and obliquely toward the center of the body. Told Walter while conscious that his wound was fatal. He was in fact conscious up to the moment of death. McClure said he was on the sidewalk when the shot was fired and it came from the door. He said he had not struck the house but did strike the fence once. Then he said he started toward the boys but could not make it. Witness was present when the dying statement was made to Judge Chumasero. He said he tried to pull a picket off the fence north Coombs's but could not do it so picked one up off the sidewalk. Cross: The ball was found in the outer covering of the vertebrae. The holes in the clothing and body gave evidence that the ball traveled in a horizontal direction. Made an exam while the vest and shirt were on. The rib could not have refelcted the course of the bullet as it sturck it at right angles. The rib was broken in two. Walter did not tell witness why he struck the fence but said he had been striking the fences all along the street. Witness went to Coombs' house about 5 that morning and aske dhim if Brothers or Connors had been there. Coombs sent up for 21 years - The courtoroom was filled Thursday morning when the bell rang announcing a verdict had been reached in the Coombs case. The Sheriff had to force the rough audience into their seats and when quiet was finally restored the jury came filing in after Baliff Davis. They all looked solemn and some thought a life sentence would be the verdict. The court asking if a verdit had been reached and an affirmative answer being given the jury was polled. The verdict was then handed to clerk Brown who read: "We the jury find the defendant guilty of manslaughter and that he be imprisoned in the state's prison 21 years. HH Talbott, Foreman. A hum went around the roombut theprisoner who sat with his face buried in a red pocket handerkerchief made neither sign nor motion. No sign of either regret or approval was to be seen on the faces of the counsel for either side. The verdict was accepted as a matter of fact and when the jury was polled on the verdict each one answered "yes" with a firm voice. The jury was then excused and the prisoner taken back to jail. He said when asked what he thought of the verdict "It's an outrage and altogether too tough on me." He was not affected to any great extent and maintained the same demeanor by which he was charterized throughout the trial.
The verdict was not reached until until 8:30 o'clock a.m. Thusday and the jury men were up all night. It took but two ballots to settle the question of guilt, the first standing 11 to 1. "I voted for acquittal on the 1st ballot, " said juror Edward S. Goff, "but it was merely a feeler. I changed on the second ballot and stuck out for a heavy sentence until the verdict was reached. If all had voted for acquittal onthe first ballot, I should have refused to have stood by the verdict." When the question of gguilt was settled the balloting on the sentence was begun and continued unilt the end was reached over 50 ballots being taken. on the first nine the vote was on the degree the vote stanidng each time, two for murder int he 1st degree, 3 for murder int he 2nd degree and 7 for manslaughter. After the 9th ballot, it became eviden taht the jjury could never agree as to the dgree so it was decided to vote on the punishment in order that a verdict might be in the end be reached. On the 1st ballot under this condition five voted life imprisonment; several 21 year sand one for two years. The five men who had voted for life sentence then came down to 21 years, the limit for manslaughter and the light sentence man, Jacob Swank came up to 10 years. Several ballots were then taken without change and meant how voted for life imprisonment went back to that again and so remained until Swank finally consent to 21 years. The verdict was then made up and duly signed just before the court bell rang.
== Notes: The verdict gave general satisfaction Court reporter WHite taking down his own evidence was quite a site. By good behavior Coombs can shorten his sentence to 18 years. No juryman favored the death penalty and it was really a question of murder in 2nd or limit for manslaughter. It would be hard to finda more unsavory gang or toughs and loafers than compose the audience which attended the trial. Every worn out dead beat and thug in town is presnet. Mr. DF McClure and family are perfectly satisfied with the verdict and Mr. McClure personally thanked the jury. He did not wish to have Coombs hung or even sentenced to life. Col. Seller stated that Mr. Anderson knew nothing of Christ's teachings but that his principles of justice were over 1000 years old. The Colonel probably forgot that Christ live 1800 years ago. A Most remarkable thing in connection with the case is that but one exception wast aken and that by the state in refernce to the striking out of the ante-mortem statement. Scarcely a question was objected to during the whole trial. Mr. Moffett the prosec deserved much credit for the able way in which he handled the case and worked up the evidence. For a case of its important it was conducted with the greatest expedition and the best possible expense and the ? has all that could be asked for. There was no red tape or unnecessary delay. It is not probably that a new trial will be asked for by Coombs. His attorneys de? took their it would be ? Judge Belle ? stated that the evidence at the ? would have warrnated a verdict of death as the gallows under the largest ? it was a wicked, reckless act. He thought the verdit was the work of honest deliberation.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Friday, 30 Jan. 1891 Edition
The T. A. G.(O) dance last evening had an awful and terrible sequel, which cost one of the brightest young lives in Crawfordsville to go out. After the dance, Walter McClure, accompanied by Hal Ensminger and A. V. Randal, of Wabash College, started out for a walk in the fresh air to talk over the event of the evening. They walked north on Walnut Street and incidentally made some noise in passing the residence of Charley Coombs, the well digger. Walking past some distance north they turned and started south again and Mr. McClure fell some distance behind his companions. As he passed the house of Coombs, he pulled at a fence picket, and then picking up one that lay on the sidewalk, he playfully struck the fence. At that Coombs arose from bed, took down his rifle and opening the door shot McClure, the ball ranging from under the left shoulder to the region of the heart, when it stopped, injuring that organ. Hal Ensminger and A. V. Randal tell the following facts: They were with Walter McClure when the tragedy occurred, or rather were walking in the middle of the street about a half square in front of him. They heard a slight noise which they now recognize to be the shot of the target gun, but at the time thought nothing of it, and did not even look around. They also heard a noise as a picket coming off a fence, but still went ahead. But a moment later they were startled by a call of “Hal! Hal! Help!” Looking around they were horrified to see Walter reeling toward them and saying that he was hurt. They immediately went to his rescue and Ensminger went for a doctor. Randal induced the wounded young man to walk, but his strength failed him after going about 20 feet, and Randall had to carry him to the gate of a house where assistance could be obtained. There he was laid on the sidewalk and after securely wrapping his own coat and overcoat around him, Randall went in to get a pillow. But the persons in the house insisted on bringing him in to a bed and there he lay until 5 o’clock when the family was notified and he was taken in a carriage to his father’s house on the corner of Water and Chestnut Streets. The two young men stayed with him until 7 o’clock this morning and went back again about 10. They deny that there was any disorderly conduct or anything done to justify any shooting. They were not in Coombs’s yard at any time nor did they strike his home. Doctors Cowan and Ensminger attended the victim of the affair and pronounced the wound a fatal one from the first, the heart being injured so as to preclude the hope of recovery. The police were duly notified and proceeded to arrest the reckless man who caused the terrible tragedy. The regular night watchman being off duty, officer Brothers proceeded to the house of Coombs and placed him under arrest. Coombs at once admitted the shooting and accompanied the officer to the home of the Marshall who ordered him to be jailed at once. Coombs, when taken to the jail, was enough composed to laugh when placed behind the bars. He did not act like a man who had performed a deed which may cost him his life, but his assumed indifference was probably more bravado than indifference. His preliminary trial will not take place until the outcome of the tragedy is fully known.
Charley Coombs was seen at the jail this morning and appeared as usual, seemingly in no wise affected by the awful tragedy in which he had been a party but a few hours before. He said that he had been disturbed last night sometime previous to the shooting by a noisy party passing the house. His wife was sick and he was angered by it. In a short time some one passing struck the house and fence with a picket. He took his target 22 calibre rifle down and opening the door fired at random. He could see no one as it was dark. “I supposed it will go pretty tough with me as I’ve always been in very bad society, and he in very good, but then I always liked Walter and hadn’t a thing in the world against him.”
Marshal Ensminger states that Coombs has told several different stories in regard to the affair, and keeps adding all the time to the provocation he had received. Henry Brown, who was in the neighborhood at the time states that at least three shots were fired after the first of which he heard Walter cry out. This statement is corroborated by the man who lives in the house with Coombs.
This morning Judge Chumasero went to the residence and took the statement of the wounded man in regard to the shooting. It is to the effect of his merely having struck the fence once with a picket when fired upon. He did not enter the yard or throw a club or stone against the house. This is substantiated by the fact that not a picket was found in the yard but that one was found in the gutter where Walter dropped it when shot.
The condition of the wounded man remained unchanged through all the morning, he suffering greatly until noon when by the influence of medicines he dropped into a stupor.
Public sentiment in the affair is all one sided. Everybody condemns Coombs’s action. Even if he did not aim at McClure, his act was a basely criminal one. He says his wife was disturbed by the noise, but a casual observer fails to see how shooting a rifle at those making it could sooth her nerves. Coombs has had an unsavory reputation for a long time and the frightful beating he grave a tramp some two years ago is still remembered. Walter McClure on the contrary has always been a most popular young man. He has absolutely no enemies and is welcomed everywhere and esteemed by all. He has always behaved himself and the statement of Coombs that a picket was thrown against the house fails to hold water. The shooting was unprovoked and will be avenged by law.
Mr. McClure Dead
This afternoon at 2:20 o’clock Walter McClure died. The end came on slowly but perceptibly, and during the last few minutes of his life, Prof. Winslow who was present, led in prayer at the request of the dying boy, who shortly after the close, passed peacefully away. It was a sad and awful occasion, and those who were present will remember it to their dying days.
Walter McClure was born here 28 years ago in March and here he has grown up, known and loved by all for his quiet, gentlemanly conduct and many noble qualities of head and heart. His loss is as severe a blow to society as it is a shock and the whole community sincerely sorrows with his bereaved relatives in the awful calamity which has come upon them.
Charley Coombs, when informed of the death is his victim, seemed unconcerned and only remarked, “Well, boys, I’m right sorry to hear the boy is dead.” He has selected M. W. Bruner as his attorney and says he wants A. B. Anderson also.
A postmortem was held this afternoon at 4 o’clock by Drs. Ensminger, Cowan and Ristine.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Saturday, 31 Jan. 1891 Edition
Yesterday’s Murder
The Funeral of Coombs’s Victim to Take Place Tomorrow Afternoon—The Preliminary Trial
Shortly after the death of Walter McClure yesterday afternoon Doctors Cowan, Ensminger and Rankin made a post mortem examination of the body. It showed that the ball had passed under the left shoulder blade, and entered the cavity below the eighth rib, which it fractured. Entering the cavity it pierced the left lung and wounded the descending aorta of the heart, making death inevitable. This morning on an affidavit sworn out by officer Brothers charging him with murder, Coombs appeared before Justice Chumasero for his preliminary hearing. A large crowd filled the room and Coombs appeared to be more affected than at any time since the commission of his crime. He bowed his head and held a handkerchief to his eyes. Through his attorney, M. W. Bruner, he waived examination and was promptly committed to jail, without bail to await the action of the grand jury. Under the charge of Marshal Ensminger he was then returned to the county bastile followed by an eager crowd of urchin.
W. S. Moffett will be assisted in the prosecution of Coombs by ex-prosecutor A. B. Anderson who has been retained by the State. Coombs had wished to secure the services of Mr. Anderson but is of course unable to do so. Mr. Bruner states that he will engage assistant counsel but has not yet decided upon anyone and will not until he has conferred with Coombs. Mr. Bruner states, however, that the best talent in the city will be employed.
This afternoon Coroner Bronaugh, of New Ross, held his inquest in the small court room. Messrs. Ensminger, Randall, Brothers, Cowan, and others gave testimony and the ante-mortem statement of Mr. McClure was submitted. Mr. Bronaugh gave his verdict that Walter F. McClure came to his death from a ball discharged from a rifle in the hands of Charles Coombs.
There are no new developments in the case and beyond the report of last evening and the facts given here nothing remains to be said concerning this unfortunate and deplorable affair which has cast a gloom over the whole community.
The funeral of Walter McClure will take place tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock from the residence of his father on South Water Street. The services will be conducted by Rev. E. B. Thomson, assisted by Dr. R. J. Cunningham. The funeral will be under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity, the burial taking place at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Monday, 2 Feb. 1891 Edition
The funeral of Walter McClure occurred yesterday afternoon at the residence of his father, D. F. McClure on the corner of Water and Chestnut Streets. It was conducted by Rev. E. B. Thomson, and the services consisted of scriptural readings, prayer and music. The choir sang four selections, “I would not live always,” and Cast they burden on the Lord,” at the request of D. F. McClure and “I have entered the Valley of Blessing,” and “Some Sweet Day,” at the request of Mrs. Nannie Graham. J. B. Johnson, C. N. Williams, Will Martin, T. B. Nicholson, George Durham and A. A. McCain acted as pall bearers and the funeral offerings which were profuse and elegant were carried by Misses Kate Long, Nora Meehan, Bridgett Costello, Edith Guthrie and Maggie Cox. Although the house is a large one, there was no room for the gentlemen inside and a number of ladies who came late had to seek refuge from the element in the next house. It is estimated that one thousand people viewed the body. At Oak Hill Cemetery, the Masons took charge of the services.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Tuesday, 24 March 1891
Prosecutor Moffett made the opening statement for the prosecution yesterday afternoon. It was a short narrative of what they would prove by witnesses nothing very new being told. At the close he said he would confidently ask for a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree. Col. Sellar opened for the defense in a rather more detailed statement denying many important allegations of the State. At the close he read the statute defining murder in the first degree and manslaughter and said he was positive that the latter was the worst they could find the defendant guilty of if indeed the evidence would not show that he was guilty of no crime at all.
A.V. Randall of Shelbyville, who was a student in Wabash College on the 29th of January me Walter McClure at Scott Steele’s after the dance between twelve and one o’clock. Witness left with Hal Ensminger, with two other men, and Walter McClure all going to the Clipper saloon. Between two and three o’clock left the saloon with Ensminger and McClure and went to the Nutt House to get some cigars. Next went to Lida Birchfield’s remaining about five minutes. It was after three o’clock then and witness, with the two companions went to Madame Jennie Bailey’s house. Came south on Walnut Street after leaving there. McClure stopped to do something to a fence in front of house just north of Coomb’s house and thus witness and Ensminger got in front of McClure. Witness and Ensminger did no loud talking or hollering in front of Coomb’s house nor did McClure when he passed along. He did however strike on the fence with a club or picket. Next heard a shot and McClure called out that he was shot. Looking around saw him reeling and in a moment he fell on the north crossing at the intersection of Spring Street. He said he was shot near the heart.
Prosecutor Moffett asked the witness to detail the circumstances after the shot was fired and he spoke as follows: “When Walter fell on the ground Hal and I hastened back and asked him what was the matter. He said he was shot. We asked him where. He said ,”near the heart.” We asked him if he could walk to the hotel and he said he would try. We helped him up and walked as far as across the street in the middle of Spring Street; coming south he fell again and couldn’t go any farther. As soon as he fell the second time, Hal immediately started after the doctor and said “you remain here.” I stayed there with him about half a minute. I then picked him in my arms and thought I would carry him to the hotel. He complained that I hurt him. Something flashed through my mind, to feel his pulse. I did so and he didn’t have any. At least if he did I could not find it. I knew the circulation had stopped and it was not safe to carry him any further. I went to the sidewalk and laid him down right in front of Mrs. Blue’s gate. Immediately went in and knocked on the front. Mrs. Blue let me in and asked what was the matter. I told that Walter McClure had been shot and I wanted a pillow for his head. After I laid him donw on the ground I took off my overcoat and the coat I have on and covered him up. He asked for a pillow and it was then I went in after it. Mrs. Blue dressed and came out. When I put the pillow under his head, Walter complained of his limbs being cold. He was very restless and kept begging me to take him home. I told him we would not move him until the doctor came. I rubbed his limbs to keep them warm. Mrs. Blue said, “where are you hurt?” and Walter replied, “near the heart” and all the time he was begging to be taken home. I asked Mrs. Blue if we could not carry him into the house and she said, “certainly.” The a neighbor came and with his assistance we carried him into the north room of Mrs. Blue’s house and laid him on a sofa. Soon as Dr. Ensminger arrived we carried him into the bedroom and upon examination he pronounced the would fatal.”
Bige Bayless was sent after D. F. McClure and witness went after George Graham. Afterwards helped get Walter home. It was a light morning and a human being could be seen two or three squares away. When witness saw McClure he was seventy five feet away. McClure had on light colored overcoat and trousers. When witness looked around after the shot, McClure was about seventy five feet from Coomb’s house. McClure, Ensminger and witness were all sober.
Cross—Went immediately to Scott Steele’s after taking young lady home from the dance, not stopping at the Clipper then. The crowd drank nothing but beer at the Clipper. Witness took a bottle of wine from the case, but intended to pay for it. Did not take more than five or six beers. Did not try to get in the Nutt House bar. Don’t remember of stopping in front of Mrs. Blue’s and inviting her to come out and get a licking. Did not have any trouble at Mrs. Birchfield’s but did plead guilty to charge preferred by her of provoke. Did not break bricks on the sidewalk or slam the gate in front of house north of Coombs.
Redirect—The reason the witness pled guilty to the charge of provoke was in order to avoid the publicity of a trial.
Hal Ensminger, son of City Marshal Ensminger, was called. He corroborated Randall in every important particular and also said that he saw no light in Coomb’s house. Heard McClure running immediately after Coombs opened the door.
Cross—After leaving Nutt House went to Mr. Blue’s, but could not get in. There was no blackguarding, and Mrs. Blue did not tell them they could not get in because they were drunk. Witness and his two companions probably would not have visited those houses if they had not been drinking.
Court adjourned till 9 o’clock Tuesday morning.
This morning a large crowd assembled in the court room, and promptly at nine o’clock with all interested parties present court was called to order and the first witness summoned was Wm E. Howard who lives in the north part of the house occupied by Charley Coombs. Was awakened the morning of January 30 by noise as if something struck Mr. Coomb’s part of the house. Was sleeping in room next to the street at the time. After the noise heard someone get out of bed in Coomb’s room; then someone running on the sidewalk, then the door opened and two or three shots were fired. Heard someone say “Now you d__ s-o-b, I reckon you know I live here and will protect my property.” The next was someone moaning and a voice said, “Can’t you walk?” The voices seemed to come from about the Spring Street crossing. Witness retired and arose again about 5 o’clock. After building a fire, Coombs came in and said “Did you hear the little racket this morning?” and said he was only protecting his property and wanted witness to testify as to what occurred. Charley said they had been throwing clubs at the house, but witness did not see any missiles lying around. When Buck Brothers came, he asked Charley about the shooting and Charley said he did it and would do it again under the same circumstances. Brothers said he would have done so also. Mrs. Coombs was present and in a sick and nervous condition. Coombs has two guns.
Cross—There might have been other disturbances that night without witness and family hearing it as they had lost a good deal of sleep on account of a sick child. The distance from Coomb’s door to the sugar tree is 100 feet. From the tree to Spring Street is at least 50 feet. The reason witness could not see the parties because it was too dark. Witness thought perhaps his own boy was out there, but went upstairs and found him in bed. Told his wife that Charley Coombs had been shooting and was afraid he had hurt someone. When Coombs came in there was nothing said about anybody being shot. Charley however said he didn’t think they could do anything to him. Made no particular examination for clubs or missiles around the house. Met Charley a second time in front of his house about daylight and he said three clubs had been thrown against the house. Then at Charley’s invitation witness went in to see his sick wife. Nothing was said there about anybody being shot. It is a very common thing for drunken men to go by laughing, yelling, and dancing but not to throw clubs at houses. While Brothers was there and after Charley had learned that McClure was hurt he said that he had not aimed at anyone. Miss Ota Jordan then asked what McClure it was. Brothers first remark about the shooting was “Charley, do you know you have killed a man?” Charley then dropped his head and Ota Jordan asked who it was.
Dr. S. L. Ensminger, a physician and surgeon of seventeen years practice, was called to the house of Mrs. Blue at four o’clock in morning. Witness immediately saw that Walter McClure who was there was in a dying condition and he told those present. He was conscious and almost pulseless.
He was wounded by a bullet which entered through the eighth rib about four inches to the left of the backbone. He asked for something to relieve the pain. Saw him taken to his father’s house. He died from the effect of the wound. Made a post mortem and found a 22-caliber bullet had cut the largest artery leading from the heart called the aorta. This caused the loss of blood to be gradual and the internal cavities were filled with blood. (The bullet was here exhibited to the jury).
(* Trial proceedings continue)
File Created: 4 April 2011 - kz