Perry Akers/Ackers (1862-1887) & John O. French (1827-1887)

AKERS, ACKERS, FRENCH

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/12/2011 at 22:53:45

From Story County Watchman October 28, 1887

SHOOTING.--On Saturday the town of Maxwell was startled by a shooting affray. It appears that one Perry Ackers had been somewhat of a notorious character which had led to informations being filed in the office of the Mayor because of them hence he took the occasion to secure a revolver and proceeded to threaten what he would do to same half dozen of the residents of that city. He went straight to the office of Justice of the Peace Schmeltzer, and asking him if he was ready to take his medicine, administered it without further explination, shooting him in the left lower jaw, the ball passing down and out by the shoulder blade. He next entered th office of Mayor French, and stealing up behind him, sent a bullet into his brain. The mayor never uttered a word, but died within an hour. He also met constable Shoop who managed to evade his wrath when he undertook to find J. W. Maxwell, but Mr. M. passed one side and did not meet him. The murderer then passed up the street his crime as yet unknown, and meeting several citizens, he talked in a threatening manner about evening up old scores, and brandishing his revolver freely. Passing on to the entrance of Odd Fellows hall, he said good-bye to the postmaster on his way, remarking that he was going to hell, and then shot himself, dying immediately. Ackers was a shiftless fellow and had a poor reputation in the town and a combination of petty matters undoubtedly led to the tragedy among which might be mentioned the turpentineing of a dog during the past summer when he was brought before the Mayor on complaint of Mr. Schmeltzer and was fined. Mr. Shoop was the constable who served the writ and Mr. Maxwell was also mixed up in the matter in some manner. Hence their being in the affair. Mr. French is a first class business man and stands well in the town and the community are much cast down by the result of this action.