Fatal Affray in Clayton County
HULTZBECKER, MCCLELLAN
Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/24/2009 at 21:19:29
Davenport Gazette, Davenport, Iowa Territory
September 16, 1842Fatal Affray in Clayton County
An affray took place on Saturday last 28th August between Henry Hultzbecker, Sheriff of Clayton County, Iowa Territory, and a Mr. McClellan, also a resident of Clayton County, in which the former was killed. A family difficulty had for some time existed between them; on that day they met at Prairie La Porte, which first high words, then a duel challenge passed between them, Hultzbecker swore he would not fight, but that he would shoot McClellan anyhow. He went for his pistols and as he returned the latter went into the back room in order to avoid him; Hultzbecker rushed in after him, with a loaded pistol in his hand, but before he could fire, McClellan seized a rifle and shot the latter; the ball entered the left side just below the ribs, and lodged on the right near the spine, Hultzbecker at the instant held his left hand in such a position that the ball cut off most of his fingers just back of the first joints. McClellan was immediately brought before a magistrate on examination, but discharged because acting in self defence. Hultzbecker lingered in great agony until the next day about noon when he expired. He is said to have been intoxicated at the time of the affray.
-Miners’ Express
Clayton Documents maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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