Frank Fahey 1883-1917

FAHEY, DORAN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/25/2021 at 16:25:06

9 July 1917 - The Clinton Advertiser page 1

LYONS MAN SHOT DOWN BY THUG IN ROAD CAMP
Frank Fahey, of West Main street, Lyons, aged about 35, and married was shot and almost instantly killed by an unknown man shortly after 9 o'clock Sunday evening in the vicinity of the foreign camp across the river below Fulton.

The murderer, who ordered his victim and a companion to hold up their hands, shot the former through the body above the heart before he had had time enough to comply with the demand, according to reports of the shooting which reached the ADVERTISER today. He then made his escape without effecting his purpose, if the motive had been robbery.

Fahey, it is said, lived only a few minutes after the ball entered his body. A Fulton physician was hastily summoned, but the young man was dead before he arrived. The body was removed to the Fay undertaking establishment in Fulton. An examination showed that only one bullet had taken effect, though it is said the thug fired several times. The ball struck Fahey just above the heart, passing through the left lung, completely through the body.

Sheriff Berry of Morrison and the Whiteside county coroner were notified, and today were conducting an investigation.

The tragedy followed an evening automobile ride, in which several young men participated.

The party left Fulton in a car driven by Dr. Abbott. In the machine were Mr. Fahey, John Delaney, Joe Bell and Mike Moore, of Fulton, and Percy Lynch and a man named Connole from DeWitt. The car was driven down to the vicinity of the foreigners' camp, which is in the vicinity of the big Northwestern plant. The shooting occurred about a block below the East Clinton yard office.

Stopping the car in the vicinity of the camp, Mr. Fahey and "Snyder" Delaney left the machine and visited the camp. They are said to have secured some beer or other refreshment there, and were carrying it away in a sack when the thug suddenly appeared from behind a box car and demanded that the men "hold up their hands."

According to the best reports of the tragedy obtainable today, both men hastened to comply, first stooping down to lay their burden on the ground. At almost the same instant the fellow opened fire, one of the bullets entering Fahey's body. The latter fell, and the thug escaped after Delaney had struck him repeatedly, the reports say.

An East Clinton railroad man tells a story of the affair which in the main corresponds with the above, gathered from Fulton sources.

The victim of the murder was employed as bar-tender at the Schwab & Langdon saloon, in Fulton. He was born and raised in Lyons spending most of his life here. The public on both sides of the river is greatly incensed over the unprovoked crime, and the tragedy may result in a general "cleaning up" of the camp, which, it is said, has become notorious of late as a place of congregation of tough characters from the vicinity.

The inquest this afternoon threw some additional light on the tragedy. It was learned that Fahey, Delaney and two or three others from the auto went over to the camp, all except the two mentioned remaining at a little distance while they entered the box car. While the three men, including Connole, were waiting a foreigner came along, presented a gun, and told them to move on, which they did as the fellow looked threatening.

A short time afterwards the two men left the car and were walking along a string of box cars when a fellow came out from between two of the cars, and presenting a gun ordered them to hold up their hands. They dropped the bundles they were carrying, and were complying when the thug opened fire, shooting ?? Fahey fell and Delaney struck the murderer once or twice before he got away. The victim of the shooting was able to speak once or twice but only in a whisper. He died in a few minutes. The assassin talked in a broken way, like a foreigner.

page 6
Frank Fahey of this city, who met his death Sunday evening as a result of a bullet wound was born in this city March 20, 1883 and lived here almost continuously since that time. He was a well known man and had been prominent in baseball circles, having been connected with various local teams prior to the time of placing Clinton on a big league circuit.

On June 16, 1908, he was united in marriage to Miss Annie Doran of this city who survives him with two children, Edmund, aged 6 and Mary, aged 5 years. Besides these are two brothers, John and William, of Arlington, Wash. and three sisters, Margaret and Kathryn of Arlington, Wash. and Mary of Sioux City, Iowa.

The deceased carried insurance in the Bankers Life and also the Woodmen of the World. The remains will be taken to the William Doran home, 113 South Eighth street, and the funeral held from that place. The arrangements have not been completed.

10 July 1917 - The Clinton Advertiser page 6

Funeral services for the late Frank Fahey who met a sudden death as a result of being shot, will be held on Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock from St. Irenaeus church, with burial in Calvary cemetery.

At the present time the remains are at the William Doran home, 112 South Eighth street, and will be taken from there to the church Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock.

11 July 1917 - The Clinton Advertiser page 6

Rev. F. J. Barry said a requiem high mass at St. Irenaeus church tis morning over the remains of Frank Fahey. Burial was made in Calvary cemetery and the pallbearers were: Leo Hannaber, Gus Ohsann, Albert Coltman, Hans Turkelson, Charles McCann and Theo Zimmerman.