McConnell, Ira - assault on wife - son - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The trial of Ira McConnell, charged with deadly assault on his wife and son, was begun Monday in the circuit court. On the date mentioned McConnell fired his revolver three times, so it is alleged, at his wife and fifteen year old son while they were in the barn, and they escaped only by taking refuge with the neighbors. McConnell was promptly arrested and has since been in jail. Some weeks ago Mrs. McConnell was granted a divorce. A number of ladies from the neighborhood were present when the case was called last Monday and were interested spectators all day. Reeves & Jones represent the state and F. P. Mount the defense.  Officers Jones and Doyle testified to arresting the defendant after the shooting and that he seemed sane and rational. Henry Hulet had been a close neighbor to McConnell for ten years, and testified to his cruelty towards his family and that he was given to the use of morphine and whiskey. On cross examination Mr. Hulet stated that he had written to Mr. McConnell’s brother eight years ago that Ira was “off” and needed attention. Fred. McConnell, son of the defendant, testified to the occurrences on the night of the shooting and of the cruelty displayed by his father for years. He told a hard story, stating that Mrs. McConnell had been especially abused and threatened. He thought that his father had fired at her rather than at him.  Monday afternoon upon the conclusion of the testimony of Master Fred McConnell, his mother took the stand. She detailed the sufferings of her married life and testified to the many abuses she had been subjected to by the defendant who did not scruple to use violence toward her. Her story was a harrowing one and made a deep impression upon all who heard it. (*more testimony is told)  He has not yet been sentenced, but before he is, Mr. Mount will ask for a new trial and may appeal to the Supreme Court if it is refused.  The finish of Ira McConnell is almost a tragic one, and is far different from what his early life indicated. He has been convicted after a most able defense and will probably spend most, if not all of his declining days in prison. It is a sad but significant commentary that he has the least sympathy where he is best

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 22 March 1901  

Ira McConnell has made a statement regarding the shooting for which he was convicted. He alleges that instead of shooting at his wife he was merely shooting into the ground. He says he wished to empty the revolver in order that he might trade it for an old army relic he had seen in one of the second hand stores

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 22 March 1901

The trial of Ira McConnell, charged with deadly assault on his wife and son, was begun Monday in the circuit court. On the date mentioned McConnell fired his revolver three times, so it is alleged, at his wife and fifteen year old son while they were in the barn, and they escaped only by taking refuge with the neighbors. McConnell was promptly arrested and has since been in jail. Some weeks ago Mrs. McConnell was granted a divorce.

A number of ladies from the neighborhood were present when the case was called last Monday and were interested spectators all day. Reeves & Jones represent the state and F. P. Mount the defense.  Officers Jones and Doyle testified to arresting the defendant after the shooting and that he seemed sane and rational. Henry Hulet had been a close neighbor to McConnell for ten years, and testified to his cruelty towards his family and that he was given to the use of morphine and whiskey. On cross examination Mr. Hulet stated that he had written to Mr. McConnell’s brother eight years ago that Ira was “off” and needed attention. Fred. McConnell, son of the defendant, testified to the occurrences on the night of the shooting and of the cruelty displayed by his father for years. He told a hard story, stating that Mrs. McConnell had been especially abused and threatened. He thought that his father had fired at her rather than at him.

Monday afternoon upon the conclusion of the testimony of Master Fred McConnell, his mother took the stand. She detailed the sufferings of her married life and testified to the many abuses she had been subjected to by the defendant who did not scruple to use violence toward her. Her story was a harrowing one and made a deep impression upon all who heard it. (*more testimony is told)

He has not yet been sentenced, but before he is, Mr. Mount will ask for a new trial and may appeal to the Supreme Court if it is refused.

The finish of Ira McConnell is almost a tragic one, and is far different from what his early life indicated. He has been convicted after a most able defense and will probably spend most, if not all of his declining days in prison. It is a sad but significant commentary that he has the least sympathy where he is best