C. L. Southwick Shot and Killed

SOUTHWICK, HARRIS, HUMBERTSON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/18/2013 at 20:05:52

Jackson Sentinel, June 1, 1876

C. L. Southwick Shot and Killed

A Coroner's Jury was summoned to inquire into the cause of the death of C. L. Southwick. They proceeded to the building of Mr. J. C. Harris and found on the floor by the side of the bed of Mrs. Julietta Humbertson, the dead body of C. L. Southwick, which was in a nude state, excepting his shirt. Mrs. Humbertson is a widow of poor health and owing to the mental excitement caused by the shooting, her attorney advised her not to make a statement to the Coroner's Jury.

Mrs. Humbertson roomed above the carriage shop of her brother, J. C. Harris. C. L. Southwick also roomed in the building. Last Friday night Southwick returned to his room in a state of intoxication. He swore and cursed at Mrs. Humbertson and threatened her with personal injury if she failed to submit to his wicked design. On his attempting to get into her bed, Mrs. Humbertson got a pistol and fired a random shot and Southwick fell. The Coroner's Jury after hearing the evidence returned a verdict that Southwick came to his death by a shot from a pistol in the hands of Mrs. Julietta Humbertson and that the act was committed in self defense and was justifiable under the circumstances.

Southwick was a bad character and had a violent temper and a wicked disposition. Public opinion is unanimous in support of the verdict of the Coroner's Jury. He had been for some time the the terror of the ladies living in Maquoketa. All honor and praise is due the lady who had the courage to thus defend herself against the assaults and insults of this libertine and ruffian.

Graves of Julietta Humbertson and J. C. Harris
 

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