Shular - William Edgar
Source: Crawfordsville
Sunday Star, 28 March 1885 p 1
A Leaden Ball - terminates rather
suddenly the life of William G. Lane, living south of the city.
Wm E. Shuler a resident of this
place the assassin - two shots are fired, the second taking effect, the
murderer surrenders himself and is locked up - the result of a saloon broil -
On Saturday night there occurred a tragedy that ended the life of one and probably
will result in another being put to death for the crime. It is the same old
story repeated over again -t wo men meet in a bar room and after filling
themselves with whiskey began quarreling when one a little quicker than the
other draws a revolver and kills his antagonist. There are two sides to the
story but the true facts as near as it has been possible to get are as follows:
William E. Shular, commonly known as Bill Shular in company with one Jim
Cunningham, both blacksmiths, on Saturday night were on a spree and as usual
for them when drinking were bent on a disturbance with someone. Neither of them
ever get drunk but they have a difficulty, when sober they are peaceable men.
The two men were in Callahan's Salloon on Market Street near Washington about
10 o'clock there were several others in the place, among them William Lane,
whose home is near Ladoga. Lane and Shular met and it is said drank together
several times though this fact is contradicted but in all events they had been
"pulling" that is, both sat on the floor putting their feet together
and pulling on a broom handle, the one who fails to pull the other up, sets up
the drinks. Lane proved too strong for Shular and he was challenged for a
wrestle with the same result. Shular it seems learned of Lane having a revolver
and being drunk had an idea that he would use it. Some words were passed
between the two but (missing a line) know, but Shular sprang behind the bar,
and secured the proprietor's pistol and walked to the middle of the floor, holding
it in a position to fire. His partner, Cunningham is credited with saying,
"Pull it, pull it." At this point, his hand was pushed down and the
revolver was discharged, doing no damage but striking the bar about 2' from the
floor. Lane jumped behind the stove and Shular followed, firing a second shot
striking his victim near the lower rib on the left side, the ball glancing up
in the region of the heart. From what can be learned, an attempt was made to
prevent Shular from firing the second shot and it is supposed he was crowded
down almost to the floor, when the shot was made, Shular at once ran from the
rear door, followed by Callahan who knocked him down with a club. Lane followed
to the door, and walked back to the end of the bar and fell a corpse. The
wildest excitement followed and the news spread like wild fire. The assassin
walked about town for a few minutes and went home soon afterward and was told
that his victim was dead, he was persuaded to surrender himself, which he did,
by coming down town where he met officer Cox, but at this time he did not
realize what he had done, but shortly afterward began crying bitterly and said
several times he was sorry he had done so. Soon after his incarceration
Officers Cox & Ensminger went to the home of Cunningham and arrested him.
William E. Shular is a low heavy set fellow, 25 years old last October born of
poor but honest and respected parents who have done all in their power to
persuade their wayward son to reform and be a better man. An ARGUS man in conversation
with Lewis Shular, father of the assassin, was told that his son never knew
what whisky was until about 5 years ago when he took the initiatory step, he
was cautioned by his parents who told him of his sure ruin if he kept it up.
Only last week he told his father he would thank somebody to kill him as he had
taken a few drinks that day before but he resolved never to touch it again and
has worked hard with his father until Saturday night when he again began
drinking. When sober he is a pleasant, obliging fellow inoffensive and quiet
but when drunk he is very quarrelsome and always gets into trouble. It has been
rather difficult for us to learn much of the murdered man. He was a son of John
Lane, living near Ladoga. His father is an Irishman well known in this city. The
deceased was a man of medium height, about 28 years old and when sober a
pleasant hard working man. He with some companions, were in the city Saturday
and had started home two or three times just before the shooting. The dead man
was taken to the undertaking establishment of F.L. Snyder where Coroner
Ensminger held a post mortam examination and an inquest is being conducted
today. Both Shular and Cunningham were brought before Justice Ramsay this
morning. The former waived an examination and was sent to jail to await the
action of the grand jury. Cunningham's preliminary hearing was postponed until
Friday morning, and he was also remanded to jail. Stilwell & Stilwell,
Thompson, Herrod & WH Thompson appeared for Shular and DW Doty will be Cunningham's
council. -- Same paper - next to lengthy article above -- The report that
William Shular had confessed to having murdered Wm. Fletcher, the man who was
found dead near the LNA & C tracks north of the city in July last is
without foundation at least we cannot find any authority for the statement.
Source: Saturday Evening
Journal 4 June 1885 p 8
Shular Sentenced -- Judge Britton on
Tuesday had William Shular brought into court and delivered a lengthy opinion
on his motion for a new trial. Every motion was overruled and sentence
pronounced, that he should be taken by the Sheriff to the northern prison there
to serve 17 years at hard labor, as decided by the jury in the case. The
prisoner broke down while the sentence was being read and wept bitterly when
taken to his cell. There will be an appeal taken to the Supreme court in the
case.
Source: Crawfordsville
Weekly Review 4 June 1885 p 8 --
"The Jail Birds" -- Jim Cunningham and Mike Cline occupied the same
cell. Jim seemed in good spirits withstanding the heavy sentence just received
by his codefendant, Shular, he evidently expects an acquittal at the hands of a
Clinton County Jury. His trial is set for June 8.
Bill Shular, was alone in his
cell and very nervous pacing back and forth, and was not inclined to talk. His
confidently expected a new trail and had built up hopes for an acquittal, which
were all dashed to earth by the harsh sentence of 17 years in prison. It is a
terrible prospect for a young man to spend 17 of the best years of his life in
prison. Yet he has erred and must suffer the penalty. The way of the
transgressor is hard, as all attempt to travel it discover to their sorrow. He
says his father will not allow the case to rest at this, but will carry it to
the Supreme court with the hope of there securing a new trial.
Source: Crawfordsville
Review 6 June 1885 p 3 -- Bill Shuler was
taken to the penitentiary yesterday by Deputy Sheriff Myers. His mother and
father were at the depot to bid him good bye and their parting brought tears
the eyes of the spectators.
Source: Sunday Star,
Monday Morning May 26, 1902
The trial of Will Shular for assaulting
Mrs. Mac Stilwell was tried during the past week in the circuit court. Wm.
Reeves and A.B. Anderson were for the state and Whittington & Whittington
defended. Monday morning was taken up in securing the following jury: CF
Tribbet, Oscar M. Eddingfield, Clifton G. Hill, JM Watkins, Alex Buchanan, Jas
Coons, Jackson McCormick, M.V.B. Smith, Jonathan Fruits, T.J. Lough, William
Remley, and Arch Austin. The opening statement for the state was made by A.B.
Anderson, who had been employed to assist prosecuting attorney Reeves. Mr.
Anderson after reading the statue under which the action was brought and the
affidavit and information filed in said case, proceeded to give the substance
of the state evidence. On March 10, 1902, Mrs. Stilwell attended the Ben Hur
Anniversary held at the Elks hall. She left there about 11 o'clock. She crossed
the street, stopped at the Bishop Drugstore....
Source: Crawfordsville
Journal Review 5 Jan 1929 p 1
Willam Edgar Shular, age 69, and a
familiar figure about the streets of Crawfordsville for many years died
Saturday morning at the county farm after a four day illness. Death was due to
paralysis. Mr. Shular sustained a stroke earlier in the week, his death occurred
at 9 o'clock. The deceased was the son of Louis and Jane Shular who for many
years resided on South Grant Avenue, the father being engaged in the blacksmith
trade. Mr. Shular's parents died a few years ago while a brother David expired
in recent years. The brother for a time lived at Waynetown. Those surviving are
two nephews, Robert and Wallace of Kokomo. During the last years of his life
Mr. Shular read extensively and made numerous speeches in front of the
courthouse. He had been an inmate of the county farm only a short time. Funeral
services will be held at Proffitt Funeral Home Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
While the deceased made Crawfordsville his home during the greater part of his
life he lived for a time at Terre Haute. He will be remembered by many of the
oldest residents as a horse shoer.