HAAS, Billy - 1889
Source: Crawfordsville Review 7 December 1889 p 1
The death of Billy Haas in Jackville has been talked of by every person in the western part of the county. He was a desperate man when drinking, being so powerful that he could whip any ordinary man, but a better hearted man never lived. He was not afraid of anything and as in his death, walked right into danger when he was being warned not to come. After being shot he was taken into a store and asked how it occurred, to which he replied laughingly ,"pop went the gun and down went the soldier." He has had many fights and has often whipped his man. His people are all highly respected and an uncle is very wealthy. It has been said by many that he would die with his boots, on and their sayings have come true.
Source: Crawfordsville Review 7 Dec 1889 p 1
The Coroner of Fountain County returned a verdict that the killing of Billy Haas was justifiable.
Source: Same
The death of Billy Haas in Jackville has been talked of by every person in the western part of the county. He was a desperate man when drinking being so powerful that he could whip any ordinary man but a better hearted man never lived. He was not afraid of anything and as in his death, walked right into danger when he was being warned not to come. After being shot he was taken into a store and asked how it occurred to which he replied laughingly, “pop went the gun and down went the soldier.” He has had many fight and has often whipped his man. His people are all highly respected and an uncle is very wealthy, It has been said by many that he would die with his boots on and their sayings have come true.
Source: Same – The little hamlet of Jackville, near the southeast border of Fountain County which has frequently been disgraced by fights bloody encounters and an occasional h omicide is once more to the front by a fatal encounter between two men in that place on Saturday last. The man killed is named Haas and the person doing the work was an old resident named Putney. Haas is represented as a large muscular man who frequently indulged in prolonged sprees during which he was a terror to the neighborhood. Putney, it is said is a sober, industrious man who attends to his own affairs and has the respect of all orderly people. On this occasion, Haas, who had been fined before for drunkenness and disorderly conduct, advance on Putney on his premises to assault him but was twice warned to keep away. He did not do so. Putney fired on him, the ball striking him in the left side. Haas died Tuesday. Putney is in the Covington jail. The sentiment of the people, we are informed about the village is that Putney acted in self defense and was justifiable in what he did. – s