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Rolla
Herald Howell On Wednesday, the 18th.,
the notorious Monks of Howell county, shot and wounded one Miller a resident
of West Plains, in that county. The
Journal, published at West Plains says: “It appears that Monks and
Miller had some words the day previous, and as the two men approached Monks
was standing on his porch and ordered them to go back the way they came. Miller appeared desirous of making some
explanation to which Monks refused to listen.
Mrs. Monks then appeared on the scene and Monks retired into the
house. Miller then directed his
conversation to Mrs. M., and while he was talking to her Monks appeared at
the door with a shot gun loaded with buck shot, and took deliberate aim at Miller
and fired. Fortunately the fence that
intervened between Monks and Miller received the greater portion of the
charge. But one shot took effect on
Miller, striking him in the forehead over the left eye, inflicting a slight
wound. After the shooting monks rushed
out bareheaded and mounted a horse barebacked and struck for parts unknown,
and at the present writing he has not been heard from.” The Journal state that the
affair created considerable excitement, and Monks conduct was entirely
uncalled for. The sheriff and other
county officers of Howell sent the following communication to the Governor: “We most respectfully beg
leave to inform you that on Wednesday, the 18th inst. On William
Monks, of this place, in open daylight shot a man by the name of James
Miller, with a double-barreled shot gun, and immediately mounted a horse and
road (sic) out of town. Miller was not
killed. The buck shot took effect near
his right temple, and glanced without penetrating the skull. Monks fled the country, and ever since that
time has refused to surrender or submit to the civil authorities, upon the
pretended plea that his life would be in danger. He has some 300 men who are willing and
ready to obey his call. Yesterday
thirty armed men came riding into town, headed by John Nicholas, and swore
that they were going to see Monks have justice, and that the sheriff and
other officials and prominent men of this town were a band of conspirators,
sworn to take the life of William Monks, and that they (the Monks men) had
them spotted, and intended to settle with them and kill the last one of
them. The band of armed men, headed by
John Nicholas, all went up to the sheriff’s office and dared him to arrest
any of them or even attempt to arrest them and they would shoot him and clean
out the town. The rode all over town,
cursed and swore and said that they intended to get their men together and
revisit the town again.” Monks has been an eye sore
to Howell and adjoining counties for a number of years, defying all law and doing
pretty much as he pleased. We hope the
governor will take the matter in hand and hereafter put a quietus to this
disturber of |
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