Volume 9 , Issue 22

1905 - "Shorty" Shot Mayor of Harper, KS

This is an article that appeared in the Oct. 13, 1905 edition of The Alva Pioneer newspaper of Alva, O.T., entitled "Mayor At Harper Shot." Who was "Shorty?"

Harper, Kansas, Oct. 9, 1905 -- While shooting up the town in what he called true western style, a man commonly known as "Shorty," who has bee running a shooting gallery here during the past week, shot and mortally wounded W. G. Muir, the mayor of Harper. The affair happened on the main street of the town about 9 o'clock tonight.

"Shorty" had been on a tear all day and early this evening marched up and down the main street, flourishing a revolver and saying that he as going to shoot somebody.

Everybody he met he ordered of the street under the threat that he would kill them. He said that he was in the "Wild West" and that he was going to "paint the town red," and "shoot it up to cowboy fashion."

Threatened To Kill Boy -- While marching up and down the street he met Mayor Muir. Placing the revolver against the doctor's back he forced him into the street and compelled him to get out of the main portion of town.

A little after this he met a small boy and, putting a revolver against his forehead, threatened to kill him if he didn't get off of the streets at once. The boy complied, as did everyone else who met the drunken man.

About 9 o'clock Dr. Muir again came down town. This time "Shorty" walked up to him and told him that he had ordered him to stay away from there, and as he had not done so, he intended to kill him. Saying this he leveled his revolver and fired six shots in rapid succession.

Known AS "Shorty" -- Fortunately only two of them took effect. One shot passed through the groin and the other went through the right hand. The man was immediately placed under arrest and locked up in the city jail.

Doctor Muir was taken home where his injuries were attended to. It is not known whether they will result fatal or not.

"Shorty's" real name is not known here, everyone calling him by the nickname. He came here about a week ago from Anthony and started a shooting gallery. This is the first time he has caused any trouble and previously was considered a very peaceable sort of person."
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