BRAKEMAN MURDERED
Jack Majors Killed by Bud Blunt on the Vinita Train
..The murder of Jack Majors, passenger brakeman on the Vinita train Friday evening was the leading subject after the arrival of the train bringing the dead body of a man who had become familiar to many of our citizens. Jack was always obliging, attentive and quiet, attending strictly to business. The facts are substantially stated as follows by those upon the train: Conductor Gillis was in charge of the train coming in from the Territory. Between Granby and Neosho Bud Blunt, who had been drinking heavily, became disorderly and the conductor and brakeman were taking him to the smoking car. When they had proceeded as far as the platform between the coaches, and before either the conductor or the brakeman had a thought at weapons being used Blunt drew a revolver and shot the brakeman in the face, below one eye, at the same time it is claimed, he attempted to stab the conductor with a knife in the other hand, and failing in that he attempted to turn his deadly weapon upon him. Conductor Gillis was too quick or hip, and with a grasp about the throat threw Blunt backward off the train, about two miles west of Ritchey. The brakeman died before the train arrived in this city. A h--- later a message was received that Blunt had been arrested and was held at Ritchey. Jack leaves a family and several children to mourn the loss of husband and father.
..Bud Blunt became extensively known some years ago on account of his reckless deeds about Granby, and if we remember correctly, he but recently completed a term in the state prison for horse stealing. The particulars sent to the Springfield Republican from Monett are perhaps as nearly correct as had been obtained, which are as follows:
..The passenger boarded the train at Granby and went into the ladies car and pulled out a bottle of whisky [sic]. He was told by Conductor Gillies to go into the smoking car if he wanted to drink and swear. This he flatly refused to do and Gillies went out on the platform, the man following him. Just then Majors came out of the smoking car and took hold of his arm and asked him to go into the smoker. Blunt then drew a revolver and shot Majors twice, killing him instantly. He then turned and fired a shot at Gillies but missed him. Gillies then seized him by the collar and threw him off the train. Blunt was immediately arrested and hurried off to jail to await preliminary examination.
| |
Mr. Gillie's Own Story
..Referring to the tragic killing of the brakeman, Jack Majors, on the train of which he is conductor, Mr. Gillies said "None of the newspapers have as yet given a correct account of the killing. I was so close to Jack when Blunt shot him that the blood from his jugular vein spurted in my face and all over my shirt front. Blunt had a knife in his hand, but I didn't know he had a revolver. As soon as he shot Jack he turned to run, but I grappled with him. We struggled for several moments in this way, he crowding me toward the door all the time. He had his revolver still in his hand, and as I stepped one foot out on the platform he got his hand free and shot at me. But the train lurched, and Blunt's aim was interfered with. It was a close call, however. The ball glazed along the side of my neck. [The scratch is quite apparent, and the hair is singed, so close was the muzzle of the weapon.] Just after the shot I changed position in such a way that the light shone full in my face. He saw the blood from jack's wound, and thinking he had killed me also, he involuntarily threw up one hand. This was my chance and I hurled him from the train. The fall hurt him enough so that the Richie people immediately caught him. Blunt's friends are now threatening [illegible].
Nathaniel Tomblinson Killed
The Murderer Captured
..Yesterday afternoon and last night an inquest was held on the body of Nathaniel Tomblinson, who was murdered in a billiard hall Christmas night by Charles Griffith.
..Esq. S. C. Stewart acted as Coroner, and the facts as developed were substantially as published in yesterday's Advertiser, with some additional facts. The sworn evidence shows that several parties were in the billiard hall when Mr. Tomblinson, and one or two others, came in, one of the party saying, "Hello," when some one replied, "Who are you?" Whereupon Charles Griffith reached for a billiard cue saying, "I can whip the son-of-a-bitch" and struck Tomblinson on the head with the cue, the reall- of which caused his death.
The Autopsy
..Drs. Allen and Gates made the Autopsy and found the skull cracked for some three inches, and underneath the skull was found a blood clot some three inches long by one and a half wide and some two inches deep; which showed that the blow had ruptured a blood vessel of the brain and caused death.
The Murderer Captured
..Charles Griffith, the man who murdered Nathaniel Tomblinson, was captured last night by officers Moore and Tier, at Peirce City about 10 o'clock and brought back to Aurora this morning. He will be sent to the jail at Mt. Vernon and will probably have his preliminary examination next Monday. -- Aurora Advertiser.
|