The Sun, Chanute, Kansas, Friday, January 24, 1908
One of the most brutal, cold-blooded and inhuman murders in the history of Neosho county was perpetrated at Shaw last night when Frank Walker blew off the top of John McGown's head with a shotgun. The murder was the culmination of a drunked brawl at a dance, in which McGown is said not to have participated, and at which his slayer was a central figure. After the shooting, which did not seem to sober Walker in the least, he was disarmed and shortly afterward was taken to the county seat and lodged in jail by Sheriff Ogg, who had been hastily summoned to the scene.
The murder had several eye witnesses and was shocking and horrible in the extreme, no cause having been given Walker for his atrocious deed.
The affray occurred at the side of the dancing hall about 10 o'clock. Walker was badly intoxicated, crazy drunk, his companions termed him, and had been striving to instigate trouble with several others in the spree. He had threatened to shoot and kept brandishing a double-barreled shotgun about in a dangerous manner. His victim was not among those who had been drinking but was merely loafing around the hall as a spectator before returning home for the night. As the latter started around the corner for home, he called out good night to those remaining.
Walker, who was standing near the corner and in his path, remarked with an oath that he had a mind to shoot him.
McGown is said to have jokingly replied: "Alright, shoot away then."
He had scarcely gotten the words out of his mouth when his assailant, in a drunken fit of rage, fired the heavy charge of buckshot entering McGowan's mouth and continuing out through the back of his neck. The two men were not further apart than six feet when the gun was discharged.
McGowan sank to the ground without a moan, his death being instantaneous. Walker did not seem to realize the enormity of his deed and continued to brandish the weapon, giving vent to drunken utterances. When some significance of his crime penetrated his brain he increased his demonstrations and strove to appear crazed. He made no attempt to escape.
The dead man was born and raised in the vicinity of Shaw, and is well known over the county. He belonged to a family which, during the early days was regarded by the more law-abiding neighbors as "bad men," but since his marriage about ten years ago, he had been a hard-working, industrious citizen. One of the first comments to The Sun this morning by a Shaw acquaintance over the phone was to the effect that Mr. McGowan was a sober, industrious citizen, who owned his own little house and lot in town. He was about 35 years of age and leaves a wife and two children, about six and three years old. He worked on the section for the Santa Fe and owned a small bit of property in Shaw. He carried no insurance and was not a member of any fraternal order.
The funeral arrangements have not been made yet, Mrs. McGowan, who was prostrated at the sudden shock, preferring to await the arrival of the dead man's father and two brothers from Meade county. A sister is also expected to attend the funeral.
Walker, the murderer, is comparatively a new resident in Shaw, coming there and renting a small house about a month ago. He is married but has no children. He has no visible means of support, but claims to be a dealer of old junk. He also informed several persons that he was a former member of the police force in Kansas City, but this fact has not been established. He is a man about 50 years of age and is of a large build, weighing about 300 pounds. His reputation is not of the best in Shaw, the few friends he made being inclined to regard him distrustfully because of his swaggering, bully-like ways. He was a hard drinker and when full of liquor invariably wanted to fight.
As there were several eye witnesses to the events leading up to the shooting, the state will have a clear case of murder, and should have little difficulty in establishing Walker's guilt. It is believed that he will try to enter a plea of insanity.
Mrs. Walker, the wife of the murderer of John McGown, was in Chanute this afternoon on her way to Kansas City, her former home. Whether she was going there in an effort to secure assistance for Walker or whether she was abandoning him to his fate could not be learned. Mrs. Walker is a heavyset woman, about 48 years of age, and was poorly dressed in black.
Sheriff Ogg came up from Erie at noon to consult with the county attorney regarding the murder and brought a few additional details which The Sun did not learn this morning over the phone. The dance it appears was not in the hall where dances are regularly held this winter, but was an impromptu affair in Walker's home. The trouble arose here and when Walker started after his gun several of his companions attempted to detain him and argue the matter. Walker stands six feet four, however, and swept the smaller men aside like so many pigmies.
After the shooting, he turned towards the house with an oath, declaring, "I'm going to get some more of you ___."
At his approach there was a wild rush for the front door, and a young man named Ray held the kitchen door closed against Walker and parleyed with him until the women and girls had escaped from the house. Walker finally burst the door in and drew his gun on several of the men, but it was knocked out of his hands each time.
Shortly before the arrival of the sheriff, who drove the seven miles from Erie to Shaw, in forty minutes, Walker went into his bedroom and, leaning the gun near, laid down.
Sheriff Ogg states that his morning a portion of McGown's brains were found in the branches of a tree seven or eight feet high. The charge tore clearly through his mouth, cutting a curved hole through his upper lip and teeth much as a bullet would have done.
One of the most brutal, cold-blooded and inhuman murders in the history of Neosho county was perpetrated at Shaw last night when Frank Walker blew off the top of John McGown's head with a shotgun. The murder was the culmination of a drunked brawl at a dance, in which McGown is said not to have participated, and at which his slayer was a central figure. After the shooting, which did not seem to sober Walker in the least, he was disarmed and shortly afterward was taken to the county seat and lodged in jail by Sheriff Ogg, who had been hastily summoned to the scene.
The murder had several eye witnesses and was shocking and horrible in the extreme, no cause having been given Walker for his atrocious deed.
The affray occurred at the side of the dancing hall about 10 o'clock. Walker was badly intoxicated, crazy drunk, his companions termed him, and had been striving to instigate trouble with several others in the spree. He had threatened to shoot and kept brandishing a double-barreled shotgun about in a dangerous manner. His victim was not among those who had been drinking but was merely loafing around the hall as a spectator before returning home for the night. As the latter started around the corner for home, he called out good night to those remaining.
Walker, who was standing near the corner and in his path, remarked with an oath that he had a mind to shoot him.
McGown is said to have jokingly replied: "Alright, shoot away then."
He had scarcely gotten the words out of his mouth when his assailant, in a drunken fit of rage, fired the heavy charge of buckshot entering McGowan's mouth and continuing out through the back of his neck. The two men were not further apart than six feet when the gun was discharged.
McGowan sank to the ground without a moan, his death being instantaneous. Walker did not seem to realize the enormity of his deed and continued to brandish the weapon, giving vent to drunken utterances. When some significance of his crime penetrated his brain he increased his demonstrations and strove to appear crazed. He made no attempt to escape.
The dead man was born and raised in the vicinity of Shaw, and is well known over the county. He belonged to a family which, during the early days was regarded by the more law-abiding neighbors as "bad men," but since his marriage about ten years ago, he had been a hard-working, industrious citizen. One of the first comments to The Sun this morning by a Shaw acquaintance over the phone was to the effect that Mr. McGowan was a sober, industrious citizen, who owned his own little house and lot in town. He was about 35 years of age and leaves a wife and two children, about six and three years old. He worked on the section for the Santa Fe and owned a small bit of property in Shaw. He carried no insurance and was not a member of any fraternal order.
The funeral arrangements have not been made yet, Mrs. McGowan, who was prostrated at the sudden shock, preferring to await the arrival of the dead man's father and two brothers from Meade county. A sister is also expected to attend the funeral.
Walker, the murderer, is comparatively a new resident in Shaw, coming there and renting a small house about a month ago. He is married but has no children. He has no visible means of support, but claims to be a dealer of old junk. He also informed several persons that he was a former member of the police force in Kansas City, but this fact has not been established. He is a man about 50 years of age and is of a large build, weighing about 300 pounds. His reputation is not of the best in Shaw, the few friends he made being inclined to regard him distrustfully because of his swaggering, bully-like ways. He was a hard drinker and when full of liquor invariably wanted to fight.
As there were several eye witnesses to the events leading up to the shooting, the state will have a clear case of murder, and should have little difficulty in establishing Walker's guilt. It is believed that he will try to enter a plea of insanity.
Mrs. Walker, the wife of the murderer of John McGown, was in Chanute this afternoon on her way to Kansas City, her former home. Whether she was going there in an effort to secure assistance for Walker or whether she was abandoning him to his fate could not be learned. Mrs. Walker is a heavyset woman, about 48 years of age, and was poorly dressed in black.
Sheriff Ogg came up from Erie at noon to consult with the county attorney regarding the murder and brought a few additional details which The Sun did not learn this morning over the phone. The dance it appears was not in the hall where dances are regularly held this winter, but was an impromptu affair in Walker's home. The trouble arose here and when Walker started after his gun several of his companions attempted to detain him and argue the matter. Walker stands six feet four, however, and swept the smaller men aside like so many pigmies.
After the shooting, he turned towards the house with an oath, declaring, "I'm going to get some more of you ___."
At his approach there was a wild rush for the front door, and a young man named Ray held the kitchen door closed against Walker and parleyed with him until the women and girls had escaped from the house. Walker finally burst the door in and drew his gun on several of the men, but it was knocked out of his hands each time.
Shortly before the arrival of the sheriff, who drove the seven miles from Erie to Shaw, in forty minutes, Walker went into his bedroom and, leaning the gun near, laid down.
Sheriff Ogg states that his morning a portion of McGown's brains were found in the branches of a tree seven or eight feet high. The charge tore clearly through his mouth, cutting a curved hole through his upper lip and teeth much as a bullet would have done.
The Sun, Chanute, Kansas, Friday, January 24, 1908
One of the most brutal, cold-blooded and inhuman murders in the history of Neosho county was perpetrated at Shaw last night when Frank Walker blew off the top of John McGown's head with a shotgun. The murder was the culmination of a drunked brawl at a dance, in which McGown is said not to have participated, and at which his slayer was a central figure. After the shooting, which did not seem to sober Walker in the least, he was disarmed and shortly afterward was taken to the county seat and lodged in jail by Sheriff Ogg, who had been hastily summoned to the scene.
The murder had several eye witnesses and was shocking and horrible in the extreme, no cause having been given Walker for his atrocious deed.
The affray occurred at the side of the dancing hall about 10 o'clock. Walker was badly intoxicated, crazy drunk, his companions termed him, and had been striving to instigate trouble with several others in the spree. He had threatened to shoot and kept brandishing a double-barreled shotgun about in a dangerous manner. His victim was not among those who had been drinking but was merely loafing around the hall as a spectator before returning home for the night. As the latter started around the corner for home, he called out good night to those remaining.
Walker, who was standing near the corner and in his path, remarked with an oath that he had a mind to shoot him.
McGown is said to have jokingly replied: "Alright, shoot away then."
He had scarcely gotten the words out of his mouth when his assailant, in a drunken fit of rage, fired the heavy charge of buckshot entering McGowan's mouth and continuing out through the back of his neck. The two men were not further apart than six feet when the gun was discharged.
McGowan sank to the ground without a moan, his death being instantaneous. Walker did not seem to realize the enormity of his deed and continued to brandish the weapon, giving vent to drunken utterances. When some significance of his crime penetrated his brain he increased his demonstrations and strove to appear crazed. He made no attempt to escape.
The dead man was born and raised in the vicinity of Shaw, and is well known over the county. He belonged to a family which, during the early days was regarded by the more law-abiding neighbors as "bad men," but since his marriage about ten years ago, he had been a hard-working, industrious citizen. One of the first comments to The Sun this morning by a Shaw acquaintance over the phone was to the effect that Mr. McGowan was a sober, industrious citizen, who owned his own little house and lot in town. He was about 35 years of age and leaves a wife and two children, about six and three years old. He worked on the section for the Santa Fe and owned a small bit of property in Shaw. He carried no insurance and was not a member of any fraternal order.
The funeral arrangements have not been made yet, Mrs. McGowan, who was prostrated at the sudden shock, preferring to await the arrival of the dead man's father and two brothers from Meade county. A sister is also expected to attend the funeral.
Walker, the murderer, is comparatively a new resident in Shaw, coming there and renting a small house about a month ago. He is married but has no children. He has no visible means of support, but claims to be a dealer of old junk. He also informed several persons that he was a former member of the police force in Kansas City, but this fact has not been established. He is a man about 50 years of age and is of a large build, weighing about 300 pounds. His reputation is not of the best in Shaw, the few friends he made being inclined to regard him distrustfully because of his swaggering, bully-like ways. He was a hard drinker and when full of liquor invariably wanted to fight.
As there were several eye witnesses to the events leading up to the shooting, the state will have a clear case of murder, and should have little difficulty in establishing Walker's guilt. It is believed that he will try to enter a plea of insanity.
Mrs. Walker, the wife of the murderer of John McGown, was in Chanute this afternoon on her way to Kansas City, her former home. Whether she was going there in an effort to secure assistance for Walker or whether she was abandoning him to his fate could not be learned. Mrs. Walker is a heavyset woman, about 48 years of age, and was poorly dressed in black.
Sheriff Ogg came up from Erie at noon to consult with the county attorney regarding the murder and brought a few additional details which The Sun did not learn this morning over the phone. The dance it appears was not in the hall where dances are regularly held this winter, but was an impromptu affair in Walker's home. The trouble arose here and when Walker started after his gun several of his companions attempted to detain him and argue the matter. Walker stands six feet four, however, and swept the smaller men aside like so many pigmies.
After the shooting, he turned towards the house with an oath, declaring, "I'm going to get some more of you ___."
At his approach there was a wild rush for the front door, and a young man named Ray held the kitchen door closed against Walker and parleyed with him until the women and girls had escaped from the house. Walker finally burst the door in and drew his gun on several of the men, but it was knocked out of his hands each time.
Shortly before the arrival of the sheriff, who drove the seven miles from Erie to Shaw, in forty minutes, Walker went into his bedroom and, leaning the gun near, laid down.
Sheriff Ogg states that his morning a portion of McGown's brains were found in the branches of a tree seven or eight feet high. The charge tore clearly through his mouth, cutting a curved hole through his upper lip and teeth much as a bullet would have done.
One of the most brutal, cold-blooded and inhuman murders in the history of Neosho county was perpetrated at Shaw last night when Frank Walker blew off the top of John McGown's head with a shotgun. The murder was the culmination of a drunked brawl at a dance, in which McGown is said not to have participated, and at which his slayer was a central figure. After the shooting, which did not seem to sober Walker in the least, he was disarmed and shortly afterward was taken to the county seat and lodged in jail by Sheriff Ogg, who had been hastily summoned to the scene.
The murder had several eye witnesses and was shocking and horrible in the extreme, no cause having been given Walker for his atrocious deed.
The affray occurred at the side of the dancing hall about 10 o'clock. Walker was badly intoxicated, crazy drunk, his companions termed him, and had been striving to instigate trouble with several others in the spree. He had threatened to shoot and kept brandishing a double-barreled shotgun about in a dangerous manner. His victim was not among those who had been drinking but was merely loafing around the hall as a spectator before returning home for the night. As the latter started around the corner for home, he called out good night to those remaining.
Walker, who was standing near the corner and in his path, remarked with an oath that he had a mind to shoot him.
McGown is said to have jokingly replied: "Alright, shoot away then."
He had scarcely gotten the words out of his mouth when his assailant, in a drunken fit of rage, fired the heavy charge of buckshot entering McGowan's mouth and continuing out through the back of his neck. The two men were not further apart than six feet when the gun was discharged.
McGowan sank to the ground without a moan, his death being instantaneous. Walker did not seem to realize the enormity of his deed and continued to brandish the weapon, giving vent to drunken utterances. When some significance of his crime penetrated his brain he increased his demonstrations and strove to appear crazed. He made no attempt to escape.
The dead man was born and raised in the vicinity of Shaw, and is well known over the county. He belonged to a family which, during the early days was regarded by the more law-abiding neighbors as "bad men," but since his marriage about ten years ago, he had been a hard-working, industrious citizen. One of the first comments to The Sun this morning by a Shaw acquaintance over the phone was to the effect that Mr. McGowan was a sober, industrious citizen, who owned his own little house and lot in town. He was about 35 years of age and leaves a wife and two children, about six and three years old. He worked on the section for the Santa Fe and owned a small bit of property in Shaw. He carried no insurance and was not a member of any fraternal order.
The funeral arrangements have not been made yet, Mrs. McGowan, who was prostrated at the sudden shock, preferring to await the arrival of the dead man's father and two brothers from Meade county. A sister is also expected to attend the funeral.
Walker, the murderer, is comparatively a new resident in Shaw, coming there and renting a small house about a month ago. He is married but has no children. He has no visible means of support, but claims to be a dealer of old junk. He also informed several persons that he was a former member of the police force in Kansas City, but this fact has not been established. He is a man about 50 years of age and is of a large build, weighing about 300 pounds. His reputation is not of the best in Shaw, the few friends he made being inclined to regard him distrustfully because of his swaggering, bully-like ways. He was a hard drinker and when full of liquor invariably wanted to fight.
As there were several eye witnesses to the events leading up to the shooting, the state will have a clear case of murder, and should have little difficulty in establishing Walker's guilt. It is believed that he will try to enter a plea of insanity.
Mrs. Walker, the wife of the murderer of John McGown, was in Chanute this afternoon on her way to Kansas City, her former home. Whether she was going there in an effort to secure assistance for Walker or whether she was abandoning him to his fate could not be learned. Mrs. Walker is a heavyset woman, about 48 years of age, and was poorly dressed in black.
Sheriff Ogg came up from Erie at noon to consult with the county attorney regarding the murder and brought a few additional details which The Sun did not learn this morning over the phone. The dance it appears was not in the hall where dances are regularly held this winter, but was an impromptu affair in Walker's home. The trouble arose here and when Walker started after his gun several of his companions attempted to detain him and argue the matter. Walker stands six feet four, however, and swept the smaller men aside like so many pigmies.
After the shooting, he turned towards the house with an oath, declaring, "I'm going to get some more of you ___."
At his approach there was a wild rush for the front door, and a young man named Ray held the kitchen door closed against Walker and parleyed with him until the women and girls had escaped from the house. Walker finally burst the door in and drew his gun on several of the men, but it was knocked out of his hands each time.
Shortly before the arrival of the sheriff, who drove the seven miles from Erie to Shaw, in forty minutes, Walker went into his bedroom and, leaning the gun near, laid down.
Sheriff Ogg states that his morning a portion of McGown's brains were found in the branches of a tree seven or eight feet high. The charge tore clearly through his mouth, cutting a curved hole through his upper lip and teeth much as a bullet would have done.
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