Robert Lee Clingan (1830-1883)

CLINGAN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/21/2010 at 20:49:59

From Story County Watchman July 20, 1883

SHOT.--On Wedenesday morning the report was the post master at Polk City R. L. Clingan had been shot the evening before. Mr. D. C. Hanger, Mr. Clingan's clerk, says that they were just closing up the store, Mr. C. being near the front door and Mr. Hanger, behind the counter, removing the contents of the cash drawer. While thus engaged the two masked men entered the door, aluted the postmaster and his deputy by a cheery "good evening gentlemen" and then one of them fired, the deadly missle taking effect in Mr. Clingan's breast, just below the left collar bone passing through the body and lodging in a spool box, back of the counter. Mr. Clingan died instantly, only a groan escaping his lips as he fell lifeless to the floor. The alarm was sounded and the whole town was on the street in a few moments ready to do anything in order that the guilty fiend who had so coolly and outrageously murdered one of Polk City's very best and most respected citizens in cold blood should escape unpunished.

The probabilities are that they will be overtaken as the search is thorough and every effort will be made to make the searcj effectual. Rewards have been offered one for $50 by Madrid Lodge No. 433, I. O. O. F. as has the Polk City lodge No. 300, of which the deceased was a member.