Davenport Democrat Davenport,Scott, Iowa Friday, July 15, 1870 Police Court. Several callers presented themselves at Justice Peters to-day. John Dumckers, for intoxication, was fined $2 and costs. One John Mastyn was arrested for vagrancy and is to have his trial this afternoon. A Serious Affray A Man Killed on Main Street Death in a Saloon Coroner's Inquest A few minutes past four o'clock yesterday afternoon, the citizens in the neighborhood of Main street, between Second and Third, were startled by the sharp report of a pistol, and in a few moments thereafter, the report spread that a man had been killed at Nelson's saloon, and in five minutes a hundred people were on the spot. The rumor was but too true, and on entering the saloon the body of a man was found lying on the floor, breathing slowly and heavily. He died in about ten minutes after receiving the shot. Among the many conflicting stories afloat, the following seem to be the plain facts in the sad affair as gathered by our reporters. The Causes for the Act The individual who thus met his death came into the saloon once or twice in the course of the afternoon and demanded a drink. At this time he was considerably under the influence of liquor. Nelson each time refused to sell him any drinks, and ordered him out of the place, as the man had become abusive in his speech, and was gesticulating and talking in a loud tone of voice. About four o'clock he came back again, and made a disturbance as before, whereupon Nelson put him out into the street, and immediately the man returned and a scuffle ensued. The mother of Nelson, an old lady 79 years of age, came down stairs to see what the trouble was. She had arrived the day before from Cordova, Ill. and occupied a room over the saloon. Upon her appearance the combatants were separated, and the stranger, turning round, wrenched a heavy cane from the hand of a man who was standing by, and struck Mrs. Nelson, a pretty severe blow over the shoulders. Nelson collared him again and the other made a further attempt to strike the old lady. Nelson loosed his hold upon him, and running behind the bar, caught up a pistol and presented it at the man, whose right arm at that moment was raised to strike Mrs. Nelson. Her son fired and the man staggered heavily against the wall exclaiming 'you have shot me through the heart.' and then slid down to a reclining position on the floor. A physician was immediately sent for and Dr. L. French appeared, but could not in any way aid the unfortunate man. The wounded person mumbled a few incoherent words at first, then his breathing became more labored, and soon his feature settled into the hard outlines of death. The ball had struck him in the right breast, exactly on the nipple and passed transversely through the lungs lodging somewhere on his left side. Who Was He? No one in the city seemed to know the dead man, but on examining his person, an account book was found with the name of "William Donovan May 6th, 1870" written upon the flyleaf. The following memoranda were found in various places through the book. "Emporia, Lyon Co, Iowa." "Wm. Donovan, McDonough Co., Illinois", "Bushrod Evans, St. Augustine, Monmouth Co, Ill. "Prairie Co, Galesburg." "Cleveland & Dinan, contractors" "Came to board at McGinty's 10th of May for dinner." "Came to board at McGhee's the 9th of June for supper; fourteen meals besides, $3.22." Evidently Donovan was a working man as his clothes were of course material and his hands betokened labor. Apparently he was about 40 years of age; 5 feet 10 inches in height; reddish brown moustache and goatee; dark hair and eyes. His face was rather thin, but not ill looking. The Other Party to the Tragedy William Nelson, the other participant in this sad occurence, has lived in the City two years, during which time he has kept saloon at the place above mentioned and is represented to be a very quiet person who attends strictly to his own business and has not been known to have trouble with any one while he has lived here. He lived in Philadelphia for twenty years before coming here and was engaged for many years in the flour and feed business. His wife and three interesting daughters are keeping boarders in the house belonging to James Johnson, Esq. corner Front and Warren street. Immediately on the commission of the act Nelson gave himself up to Major Schnitger, who was on the spot in a very few moments after the occurrence. He expresses deep regret at the sad termination of the affair, but says that it was more than he could bear to see that man strike his old mother with a heavy cane. He was removed to jail where he now lies. An Immense Crowd. were shortly gathered about the place, and the police, under Marshal Kauffman, were stationed at the door to prevent those whose morbid curiousity prompted them to go in and view the remains. The body was finally removed to a convenient room in the building of Mr. Morse Bois [sic-Boies], undertaker, where a partial inquest was held last evening. A jury consisting of J.E. Dixon, A.F. Williams and A. Wiegand were summoned and the inquest returned this morning under charge of W.F. Peck. Cathy Joynt Labath Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm