Two Victims Pass Away - 1902

COULTER, MUSGRAVE, STILLWELL, PAISLEY

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 4/17/2013 at 20:34:20

TWO VICTIMS
PASS AWAY

Marshal Coulter and Justice E. A.
Musgrave Are Dead.

THE EXCITEMENT QUIETS DOWN.

Funeral of Stillwell at Farmington Yesterday -
Victims Will Be Buried To-Day

[Special to The Hawk-Eye.]

Keosauqua, Ia., Dec. 22. -- The excitement at Farmington has quieted down and the people are very considerate. E. A. Musgrave died Sunday morning. He was fatally injured, and there was little hope from the first for his recovery. Robert Coulter died about an hour later, his wounds being not considered fatal, but it is now thought the concussion affected his kidneys and that caused his death. The funerals of both men will be held to-morrow afternoon at 2 and 3 p. m. The funeral of Stillwell was held at 10 o'clock to-day, Rev. James Kernan and Rev. Taylor officiating. But few people were in attendance outside of the family. Stillwell's three sons were present. They expect to leave to-morrow for their homes.

Sheriff Ramsey and County Attorney Harlan are at Farmington, and will remain as long as there is any danger of further trouble.

Finals of the Tradgedy.

Farmington, Ia., Dec. 22. -- Justice of the Peace A. E. Musgrave and City Marshal Robert Coulter, the two men shot by George Stillwell in a fit of rage on Friday afternoon, while resisting arrest, died yesterday, making a total of three victims of the terrible tragedy. Musgrave expired at 9 o'clock in the forenoon, while Coulter breathed his last about noon.

Saturday it was believed that Coulter was out of danger, but during the night he took a turn for the worse, and Sunday morning the physicians in charge gave up all hope of his recovery, although immediately after the shooting Coulter seemed to be in the most critical condition and their seemed to be some hope for Musgrave. The condition of the two men was soon reversed, however, and on Saturday all hope for Musgrave was abandoned and every effort to save Coulter was made.

Coulter was shot twice in the abdomen, once in almost the same spot as where President McKinley was shot. Musgrave was shot first through the jaw, and then as he fell to the ground two more shots were fired into his prostate body, both of which took effect in the back.

Coulter a Brave Man.

Coulter had served as marshal of Farmington for several terms, and had always proved a brave and trustworthy officer. His life had been in danger several times, but he never flinched, and, until Friday, always came out on top. He was sixty-three years old, a soldier of the civil war, and a long time resident of Farmington.

Justice Musgrave had been a justice of the peace here for four terms. he was formerly a resident of Nova Scotia. He has resided in Farmington for about ten years. He leaves a wife, one daughter and two sons. The children are Mrs. C. L. Paisley and Dr. George Musgrave, of Cincinnati, iowa, and Edward Musgrave, of Independence.

Stillwell's Reputation.

Stillwell formerly lived in Keokuk, where he followed the trade of a carpenter. While a resident of that city he gave police a great deal of trouble and was frequently to be found before the bar of justice in the various courts. More than once was he disarmed by the police to prevent him from doing threatened violence.

His reputation there was, however, due to the fact that he possessed a violent and uncontrollable temper, and not from any vicious or brutal disposition. He was not a criminal in the ordinary sense of the word, but his acts of violence were committed while in a fit of temper.

The belief was expressed here last evening that the man was partially insane, or he would never have committed such a violent and blood-thirsty deed.

Source: The Burlington Hawk Eye; 23 December 1902, page 1