This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: madehlinne Surnames: Young, Stephens, Etienne, Moehrle/Mohrle, Wright, O'Brien, Byrnes, Furiong, Dyer, Timmons, Walsh, Elliott, Kane, Connell, O'Halloran, Fisher, Hauck, Creecy Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.missouri.counties.stlouis/10029/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I am researching the murder of my great-great uncle, SAMUEL J. YOUNG,a constable for the city of St. Louis in 1909. Sam--who was also known as Sam Stephens--was actually born SAMUEL JOSEPH ETIENNE on 11 Feb. 1876 near Cahokia, St. Clair Co., IL. [Stephens is the literal translation of the French Etienne.] The short version of the story: Political feuds in St. Louis are nothing new, but this one was a doozie! Only in Kerry Patch... Sam and a friend whom he had known for years, FREDERICK [FRED] H. MOEHRLE/MOHRLE, apparently had a falling out over who to vote for in the election in April 1909. They were both Democrats--but in this case, Fred decided he was going to vote Republican and announced that decision. The headline on the news article describing Sam's death says, "Mohrle Told of Young's Threats to Destroy Him." [dontcha just love "Yellow Journalism"?] As constable, Sam decided to pay a visit to his former friend, Fred, while out with two friends on a Sunday afternoon. Sam banged on the entry to Fred's coal yard. Now Fred and several of the 'boys' were playing horseshoes, drinkin' beer--you know--guy stuff. Among his buddies was one WILLIAM WRIGHT. When Sam knocked on the wooden door, Fred told him to go away. Not one to take 'no' for an answer, Sam walked around the yard to another entrance, a narrow walkway between the coal yard and the building next door, and kicked on the gate. Fred told Sam AGAIN to go away. Now by this time Sam was probably getting not only curious as to why Fred wasn't letting him in but also probably mad. Sam peeked through the gap between the gate and the fence and yelled, 'What's the matter, Yellow?' [Now before everyone starts thinking Sam is crazy for needling his former friend, Fred's nickname was 'The Yellow Kid.'] And Sam fired off a shot with his big revolver. According to witnesses [there were at least 8], both Fred and William fetched guns from a shed nearby and opened fire. At least 12 shots crashed through the fence and gate. Sam--'shot through the heart'--staggered out from between the buildings and fell on his revolver. Dead. Mohrle and 8 others were arrested, but only Fred and William Wright were charged with murder. Mohrle's life was threatened by friends and supporters of Sam and he was warned--by more than one person--NOT to leave the court room at the start of the trial. But while his attorney was making legal motions to have the trial continued, Mohrle sneaked out of the court room for a smoke anyway. [Court room rules were a little more relaxed back then.] It was a fatally wrong decision. Mohrle was shot five times by THOMAS/MICHAEL/JAMES KANE, a former deputy friend of Sam's--using Sam's own revolver. He died in the ambulance outside the Four Courts building on 7 June 1909. I grew up knowing only part of the story of Sam's murder--not until very recently have I been able to devote some time to further research. I have some newspaper articles from the Post-Dispatch and the Globe-Democrat and the newspapers of the day mention many names. I need a score card to keep them straight! So, what's the question? I'm looking for more information on the people mentioned in the newspaper article. I'll be going to St. Louis for research shortly, but in the meantime, "inquiring minds wanna know." So here's the list: r. means 'residing at' Sam's friends: Thomas O'Brien, r. 1104 Carr st. Joseph Byrnes, r. 2129 Lucas ave. Fred's buddies: William Wright, r. 2006 Franklin st. Thomas Furiong, r. 2013 Franklin st. James Connell, r. 2415 O'Fallon st. Carter Dyer, r. 912 North 18th st. Louis Timmons, r. 2029 Franklin st. Other witnesses: Michael Walsh, r. 1520 North Spring ave. Floyd A. Elliott, r. 912 North 18th st. Law enforcement officials: Justice ------ O'Halloran, judge for whom Sam worked Justice ------ Fisher, judge who would attempt to try Mohrle Thomas/Michael/James Kane, deputy sheriff [I've seen all 3 names listed for this man.] Tom Hauck, deputy sheriff Chief of Police ------- Creecy I'm hoping somebody can help me out here...and thanks in advance! Madehlinne Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.