DOCTOR E. M. DONELSON
IS SHOT
Dr. E. M. Donelson was fatally shot by Frank Pattison of Cedar Vale Tuesday evening. This was one of the most deplorable
and unexpected tragedies ever heard of.
The shooting occurred in front of the Dosbaugh National Bank. Doctor Donelson had just come out of the Kenesson
restaurant where he bought some cigars and boiled ham. Frank Pattison was on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant
and the two men had some words and walked down the street, side by side, quarreling.
Frank Pattison was on the right hand side and when they were just in front of the upper window of the Dosbaugh
bank Pattison grabbed Donelson by the right arm with his left hand, turning Donelson about half way around. At
the same time Pattison stepped in front of him drawing a pistol with his right hand from his front pants pocket,
raised it up and shot Donelson just in front of the left ear.
Doctor Donelson fell to the pavement mortally wounded. This happened a few minutes after five o'clock Tuesday evening,
August 28, 1906.
Frank Pattison made no attempt at further violence and gave himself up to the first person presenting himself,
which was L. G. Bishop.
Doctor Donelson never regained consciousness after he was shot. Several doctors were at his side in a very few
minutes after, but medical skill could do nothing for him. The wounded man was placed on a cot and carried to Doctor
(J. C.) Kirby's office over the Mercantile store where the wound was dressed. He was kept there until about seven
o'clock in order that his family could be gradually appraised of the fact and prepared for the shock of seeing
him brought home. Doctor Donelson breathed his last about the time he reached home at 15 minutes after seven, about
two hours after he was shot.
The fatal shot was fired with a new Iver Johnson, 38 caliber, double action revolver which, according to reports,
had been purchased in a hardware store in town not half an hour before the shooting.
Frank Pattison was taken charge of by city marshal White a few minutes after he committed the deed. Later he was
turned over to John Burden, deputy sheriff, who accompanied by his son, A. b. Burden took him to Sedan in a rig
that night and lodged him in jail.
The trouble which led up to the crime was caused by whiskey. Frank Pattison and his father, G. W. Pattison, have
been running a drug store in the Jones building and have been selling intoxicating liquors under a druggist's permit.
Some bad feelings existed between the court at Sedan on Monday of this week for a permit, Doctor Donelson appeared
and testified he had bought whiskey at the Pattison drug store without "signing up." In consequence of
this testimony this permit was not renewed.
This, of course, greatly enraged Frank Pattison. He, being a man who occasionally imbibed too freely of strong
drink , and in this condition brooded over the matter till his mind became sufficiently unbalanced to commit the
deed.
Of course there are rumors of threats on both sides, and it is said that Doctor Donelson thrust his hand in his
pocket as though to get some weapon just before Pattison grabbed him by the arm and shot him. Both men were in
their shirt sleeves. Doctor Donelson wore a vest and it is reported was entirely unarmed.
The Pattison family came here about two years ago and bought a stock of drugs from Earl Brown, which had previously
been the Hohler stock. They are regarded as especially fine people, Doctor G. W. Pattison, father of Frank, is
an old gentleman who is very much liked by everyone who knows him. He has been making his home with his son, whose
wife is a lady highly esteemed by all.
No one can regret the deplorable occurrence more than Doctor Pattison and Mrs. Frank Pattison. Mr. and Mrs. Frank
Pattison have one son less than a year old. They were having a new residence built and had it about half completed.
Doctor Donelson was a retired physician, and old resident of Cedar Vale, having lived here about 25 years. In former
years he ran a drug store here and had an extensive practice. He was the son of the late Col. Sam Donelson and
leaves a wife and one daughter who is married. He has a brother, Walter Donelson, who lives at Cleveland, O. T.,
who came in Thursday to attend the funeral. He also has a half brother in Kentucky.
The funeral of Doctor Donelson was held on Thursday afternoon, with the services being announced by Rev. Fred Hanger
of the Christian church.
The Donelson family has the heartfelt sympathy of a large list of friends and acquaintances in this their sad bereavement.
Doctor Donelson carried a life insurance of $2,000 in the Modern Woodmen and $2,000 in the Workmen lodges, making
a total of $4,000 insurance.
Pattison has employed Sproul and Van Tuyl as attorneys to defend him. Rathbun will assist the county attorney in
the prosecution of the case.
Added Note: The few persons living here who recall the shooting are of the opinion that Frank Pattison was acquitted
- that he served no sentence for the fatal shooting of Dr. E. M. Donelson. Pattison defended by J. H. Sproul, Sedan
attorney, plead temporary insanity. (Cedar Vale Commercial, 1906)
DENVER MAN MURDERS DIVORCEE
AND THEN TAKES HIS OWN LIFE
Body of W. J. Allen Found with That of Woman
Smith Center, Kan, July 6.--- Tourists camping
in the city park in Kennsington, near here, Wednesday, found the dead bodies of a man and a woman,shot to death
in the park. The bodies were identified as the divorced wife of Warren Wood of Kennsington and W. J. Allen of Denver,
Colo.
Mrs. Wood had been shot four times in the back
, and Allen had two bullet wounds in his left breast.
A note found with a bank book in one of Allen's
pockets stated he and Mrs. Wood had been living together in Denver three months, that he had furnished her money
with which to obtain her divorce from Mr. Wood, but that when she left him to visit her parents Mr. and Mrs. Patrick
Smith of Kennsington, he became suspicious as to her fidelity to him and determined to follow her.
The note also told of his plan to kill both Mrs.
Wood and himself when he found her.
Allen's body was found lying face down across Mrs.
Wood's body.
Handwritten Note on clipping read: 1922 - In Denver
Post Colo (Transcribed by Judy Kinney from Collection of Clara Diercks Finton)
TRAGEDY CULMINATES IN
MURDER - BROOMER J. R. (DICK)
Domestic Family Troubles Come to a Climax in the
Fatal Shooting of J. R. Broomer by his Wife
This city was again thrown in a furor of excitement,
shortly after noon on Christmas day by a tragedy which cost the life of J. R. (Dick) Broomer, popular garage man
and mechanic in this city, his death resulting from a shot through the heart from a pistol in the hands of Mrs.
Broomer.
Domestic family troubles appeared to have played
an important part in bringing about the regrettable incident. Trouble had been imminent between them the past several
months and the trouble culminating in the fatal shooting appears to have originated the day previous when a quarrel
ensued and at which time, Dick told friends, Mrs. Broomer had threatened his life if returned home.
Monday forenoon, Dick in confiding to some his
close friends, of hi troubles and the threat made against him was advised to not return to the house, but he informed
hem that he was going after his clothes as he had planned to leave this afternoon for a visit with his daughter
and mother at Hastings, Nebraska.
The incidents following his entrance into the home
and which led up to the fatal tragedy, are known only to Mrs. Broomer and her young daughter. The first intimation
of trouble by close neighbors was when they noticed Dick running from the house with Mrs. Broomer in pursuit and
the firing of one shot by her. He ran about a half block from his home falling fatally wounded near the city water
tank. Physicians were immediately summoned but he passed away before they were able to arrive on the scene.
When questioned, Mrs. Broomer admitted that she
had fired the fatal shoot but it is probable that she will plead self defense as the motive for her act when the
case comes to trial in district court.
She was taken in charge by sheriff Agnew and placed
in the county jail at Smith Center to await trial.
The body was ordered removed by Coroner Watts to
the Simmons Undertaking Parlors for preparal for burial.
John Edward Broomer was born March 30th, 1889,
at Omaha, Nebraska. Died December 25th, 1922, at the age of 33 years, 8 months and 25 days.
He was confirmed and united with the Lutheran Church
at the age of 18 years.
In the year 1914, he was united in marriage to
Oma Beard and to this union one child was born, Ida Carolyn, whose mother passed away in July 1920. His untimely
death is mourned by his daughter, mother, five brothers and three sisters and a host of friends.
Funeral services were conducted at the M. E. Church
Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m., by Rev. Dixon. The Masonic Lodge of which Dick was a member, had charge of the
services. Interment was in the Olive Branch cemetery. (Transcribed by Judy Kinney, from the collection of Clara
Diercks Finton)
BECKY BROWNE OF NORTON
ARRIVED ON SATURDAY EVENING
Becky Browne of Norton arrived on the Saturday
evening Rocket for a visit with her grandmother , Mrs. Gladys Wurster. Becky is the eight year old daughter of
David and Norma Browne. She will return home Thursday (today) with her uncle and family, the George Wursters, when
they go to visit Mr. and Mrs. Browne for several days. (Transcribed by Judy Kinney, from the collection of Clara
Diercks Finton)
LADIES GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Ladies Golf Association has ladies day every
Thursday morning at the local course. They meet at the Center Cafe for coffee and rolls (Dutch treat) at 7:45 to
8 a.m. and then out for a round of golf. The ladies are hoping for a better turnout . All non-playing wives of
members are invited to come to the coffee any time.
The last Sunday of the month (July 25th) is Family
night with Scotch foursomes (drawing for partners) at 4 o'clock, and a supper at seven. The supper is a covered
dish with each family bringing food and their own table service. A drink will be furnished. (Transcribed by Judy
Kinney, from the collection of Clara Diercks Finton)
RAY CHANCE CHARGED WITH
MURDER OF LOGAN COUNTY FARMER
The attempt of a father to regain the custody of his children led to the murder out in the lonely ranch country
between Brewster and Winona about sundown Monday evening. Frank Buss, well known farmer of that community, was
shot and killed as he sat in his car with Mrs. Ray Chance. Ray Chance, also a farmer of that locality, is charged
with the slaying.
Chance is now lodged in the county jail of Thomas County at Colby, where he wa placed after giving himself up to
Al Winchip, deputy sheriff at Brewster. He refuses to discuss the killing. William Chance, who is said to have
been with his brother, Ray Chance, at the time of the shooting, is also being held by the Thomas County authorities.
Some little time ago Chance took his wife and three children to Sharon Springs to stay while he went to Colorado
to hunt work. He returned this week, believing that his wife was living at the Buss farm. Buss is married but his
wife is lodged in the state hospital for the insane.
Monday afternoon Chance went to Brewster and asked Deputy Sheriff Winchip to go with him to the Buss farm to help
him get his children away from Buss and Mrs. Chance. Winchip declined to go because the Buss place is just over
the line in Logan County. He advised Chance to get the Logan County sheriff to assist him.
Chance, however, disregarded this advice and went to the Buss place unaccompanied by officers. It is alleged that
William Chance, his brother, went with him.
According to the story told the officers, Buss and Mrs. Chance drove into the farmyard of the Buss place shortly
after Chance arrived. And it is alleged that Chance shot Buss with a heavy caliber revolver three times before
he got out of the car. Buss died almost instantly. Whether or not Buss was armed or made an attempt to resist his
assailant, is a matter authorities have not divulged.
Chance came into Brewster about 8:30 o'clock Monday evening and surrendered to Winchip, who took him to Colby at
once. He is being kept in the Thomas county jail partly because the jail facilities at Russell...remainder of article
is mising.
Submitted by Judy Kinney from the collection of her Great Aunt Clara Diercks Finton.
MRS. NORTON NOT FOUND
Fred Schween and family returned home yesterday morning from Fort Collins, Colorado, where they had been the past
week being called to that place last week by the serious accident befalling Mrs. Schween's parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Sam Norton, in in which the latter lost her life by drowning in one of the rivers near that place.
In describing the accident Fred reports that it is impossible to conjecture the exact cause but that it is probable
that something occurred to the steering gear of their auto causing the machine to pitch over the river embankment
and into the stream. He says that Mr. Norton, who is almost fully recovered, is unable to give definite information
concerning the affair. He is unable to even realize in what manner he was able to save himself from the stream
in which he was carried along with the machine, and Mrs. Norton for a distance of about fifty rods, when the auto
struck a large boulder and went to pieces and at which time Mrs. Norton was last seen. Sam succeeded in some manner
in reaching the river bank an went to the nearest house where he gave the alarm.
He reports that every effort possible has and is constantly being made to recover the body of Mrs. Norton, but
that up to the present time all efforts have proven unavailing.
Transcribed by Judy Kinney from the collection of her Great Aunt Clara Diercks Finton.
KANSAS AUTO ACCIDENT
FATAL TO GIDDINGS MAN
Kensington, Kan., March 25 (AP) - Allen Hempel,
27, construction worker of Giddings, Texas, was killed Thursday when an automobile missed a curve south of here.
Two Kansans were critically hurt. (Dallas Morning
News, March 26, 1948, Section 1, page 10, transcribed by Peggy Thompson)
