Wesley Jones Shot and Killed Richard Beatty-1871

BEATTY, JONES, CARPENTER, MCCLURE

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 9/16/2017 at 21:57:42

Sunday, July 23, 1871
Paper: Dubuque Daily Times (Dubuque, Iowa)
Page: 1

At Waverly, near Jacksonville, Thursday night, about 12 o’clock, Wesley Jones shot and killed Richard Beatty, on the premises of Frank Carpenter, a farmer. Two men named John and George McClure, who had a grudge against Carpenter, threatened to burn his barn, and Carpenter, learning that they intended to put their threat into execution last night, took with him Wesley Jones, who is in his employ, and, armed with muskets, concealed themselves near the barn to await the coming of the McClure’s. At the hour named they discovered by dim starlight, a man approaching the barn, whereupon they ordered him to halt. He took no notice of the order, but kept moving. Jones then raised his musket, took direct aim, and fired. The man, whom they supposes was one of the McClure’s, fell mortally wounded, and died a few moments afterwards. Upon examining him it as discovered that the man killed was Richard Beatty, who, when at home resided in southern Illinois. Beatty had been working in the neighborhood where he had met his tragic end. For what purpose he was prowling about Carpenter’s barn at that hour of the night is not known.