O'Neil shoots Reyes - 1914

ONEIL, REYES

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 3/30/2007 at 09:25:13

- Correctionville News; Correctionville, Woodbury, Iowa; March 26, 1914

IOWA STATE NEWS

John O’Neil, foreman of a Rock Island section gang at Fairfield, shot and killed a laborer named Ernesto Reyes. Reyes and a number of other Mexicans had been discharged by the company, but for a week or more had refused to leave the bunk cars. O’Neil went to the car and told them to leave. Reyes and another Mexican are claimed to have seized an ax and spade and started off for O’Neil, who jumped from the car and fired at the men as they came to the door, killing Reyes. O’Neil was acquitted by the coroner’s jury.