Night Watch Oscar Ellis Shot

WASSON, ELLIS, CONWELL, LOVETT, MERRICK, GOION, CARTER, HARRING, HAMPTON, MCGINNIS, HUFFMAN

Posted By: David W Sinclair (email)
Date: 3/2/2008 at 16:07:15

BAD AFFAIR
Coll Wasson Shoots Night Watch, Oscar Ellis
Another one of those affairs which gives an additional black eye to Lineville occurred last Saturday night. Coll Wasson was at Mrs. Conwell's restaurant getting suppers for some of the men of his grading force. While Mrs. Conwell was engaged in cooking, Coll made his way to the kitchen. He was somewhat under the influence of liquor and Mrs. Conwell became alarmed at his actions and called upon night-watchman, Ellis, for protection. Mr. Ellis ordered Coll out, but he refused to go and made an effort to gain possession of Ellis' club, whereupon the latter struck him and afterwards succeeded in getting him into the street. Some talk passed between the two, Coll being in the street and Ellis standing on the elevated walk in front of the restaurant. After some words Coll drew a revolver and shot Ellis, the ball from his 41-calibre revolver passing through the fleshy part of his right thigh barely missing the femoral artery. The wounded man was taken to Dr. Lovett's office where the ball was located near the skin on the opposite side from where it entered and was extracted. The bullet carried a portion of his pants with it and made a very ragged and dangerous wound. He is resting as well as could be expected under the circumstances. Sheriff Merrick was telephoned for and that official together with deputy sheriff, Bob Goion and County Attorney, H. H. Carter, came down Sunday morning and remained most of the day. Mayor Harring filled information before Justice P. C. Hampton and a warrant was issued for Wasson who was at the Hotel Wallace on the south side. In the afternoon he came over and submitted to arrest, giving a bond of $1000 for his appearance for preliminary hearing before Justice Hampton on Tuesday. At the latter hearing V. R. McGinnis and Cal Huffman, of Leon, came over and defended Wasson, County Attorney Carter prosecuting the case. The trial resulted in his being held to appear before the grand jury at the next term of the district court to convene at Corydon Oct. 26th. The charge was assault with intent to commit murder. His bond was fixed at Lineville Tribune
Lineville, Wayne Co., IA
October 15, 1908
Austin & Austin, Pubs. and Props.