Shooting Saga
Daily Argus
Rock Island, Illinois, Tuesday December 26, 1876
FATAL SHOOTING AFFRAY NEAR COALTOWN.
“Free” West, a Noted Bully, Killed by “Hank” Morton
On Saturday night a fatal shooting affair occurred at George Weaver’s, near Coaltown, in Moline township, resulting in the death of Free West, coal miner, at the hands of one Henry Morton. The facts as far as ascertained are as follows:
A party or dance was in progress at Mr. Weaver’s house and among those in attendance was Free West and Henry Morton, or as he is called by the miners “Hank.” These two, just before the shooting, were sitting on a table in the kitchen talking together, when one or the other of them said, “It’s a lie.” at this Free West knocked Morton off the table and before he could recover pieked him up and threw him across the room. Mrs. Weaver at this point interfered and tried to quiet the row but West knocked her down with an open hand blow and started for Morton, who, in the meantime, had drawn his revolver, and as West advanced shot at him, wounding him slightly near the eye. West, who was a powerful man, then grabbed Morton, who was only a boy, so to speak, about 20 years old, and laid him across a red hot stove and was choking him, when he (Morton) fired three times at West, the shots taking effectin the abdomen, about two inches apart. Strange to relate, West maintained his hold on Morton even after this and was finally dragged off by others, who, until this time, seemed afraid to interfere. As soon as it was known that West was shot, the crowd, or some of them, cried out, “shoot the s-n of a-b—h.” meaning Morton, and a rush was made for him, but some of his friends opened the door and allowed him to escape. As soon as possible word was sent to Marshal Wells, and Dr. J. B. Davison was summoned to attend the wounded man. As soon as the doctor arrived he did all he could to relieve the sufferings of West, but without effect as he was mortally wounded. After lingering until 3:30 o’clock Sunday morning he died in great agony.
Word was sent to Coroner Vermillion, but, from some cause or other, he did not arrive until nearly 3 o’clock Monday afternoon, and before a jury could be empanelled and had arrived at the scene of the tragedy it was nearly dark. Capt. D. O. Reid was appointed as foreman. After listening to the evidence of several witnesses the jury returned a verdict that “the deceased, Free West came to his death on Saturday night, Dec. 23d. 1876, at about 10:30 o’clock, from pistol wounds received at the hands of one Henry Morton.”
Morton, it was supposed, would render himself to the authorities, but to this writing has not done so, no trace of him be found. He is a heavy set nan about 5 feet 7 inches in height, smooth face, and about 20 years old. West, the man killed was a terror to the rest of the miners and was acknowledged the champion in a fight of any kind. He was a large, powerful man and has figured in the police courts in several cases and sustained a hard name. In the early part of the evening he was abusive to everybody in the house. He walked up to the musicians and without cause or provocation knocked down the fiddler. In fact he was a bully and ????? of the worst description.
Morton has also figured in the police court, and about a year ago was one of a group of coal miners who stopped a team loaded with young ladies and gents forming a surprise party on the way to Professor Wendell’s. At that time he was rough handled by Magistrate Swander and has been less conspicuous in public since then. In the present case he was, from the evidence at hand, fully justified in shooting West and it does not help his case by remaining away from the officers of the law. There are parties in Moline who did not attend the coroner’s inquest and whose testimony will be valuable when the case comes up for trial.
Daily Argus
Rock Island, Illinois, Wednesday December 27, 1876
MOLINE
It is rumored that Hank Morton has gone to New York and from there will go to England.
Tuesday, the remains of Free West, the man who was shot on Saturday at Weaver’s, were buried at Riverside Cemetery. The affair has caused considerable comment here and public opinion seems strongly in favor of Morton. Theact was justifiable – at least as far as the evidence appears.
MOLINE REVIEW
Moline, Illinois, Friday January 12, 1877
Henry Morton has been charged with the murder of Wm. Freeman West at the house of George Weaver of Coaltown, on December 23, 1876. Witnesses at the trial were Mrs. Mary Lawrence, Mrs.Jacob Weaver, Joseph Smith, Josiah
Gamble and Josephus Evans. Henry Morton, the accused, is aged 23 years old and was born in 1854 at High Peak, Derbyshire, England. He came to the United States in 1867 and has resided since that time in Coaltown, where he has been in the business of hauling coal. He is the son of Wm Morton of Coaltown and has brown hair and dark eyes. Freeman West was born in Mercer Co., Pennsylvania in 1841 and was aged 36 years. For most of his life, the deceased has lived in Mercer County and Rock Island County, Illinois with the exception of about 1 year in Kansas. He was about 6-1/2′ tall, and was a coal miner. At the time of his death, he lived in Hampton.
ROCK ISLAND DAILY UNION
Rock Island, Illinois, Thursday January 11, 1877
MOLINE
The trial of Harry Morton for the shooting of Free West took place at the engine house yesterday before Magistrate Swander and resulted in Morton’s discharge, the evidence showing that the shooting was done in self-defense. Wm. H. Atwood, of Rock Island, appeared for the State, and Wm. Jackson for the defense.