Titus - Ernest
Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review, October 9, 1933
Covington- October 8 Ernest Titus, 47, of Crawfordsville, was shot to death by Walter Hegg, 40 years old. World war veteran following a quarrel at Hegg's fishing camp two miles south of here Sunday night at 8 o'clock. Hegg, who surrendered himself to Sheriff Fred Kay, said that Titus attacked him with a blackjack following a quarrel. Hegg shot Titus with a shotgun. The blackjack was found clasped in Titus's hand when officers went to the camp. Sheriff Fred Kay said that Hegg told him, Titus and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Krug, all of Crawfordsville, came into his place. Hegg said they became noisy and he asked them to leave. After an argument they went away, the sheriff said Hegg stated, and returned later. Hegg said that when he went to the kitchen of his establishment Titus followed him and drew out the blackjack, striking him. Then Hegg reached for his shotgun. The charge struck Titus in the body and death was almost instant. The fishing camp is located on the east side of the Wabash river two miles south of here. Hegg specializes in fish and game dinners and also equips fishing and hunting parties. Sheriff Kay said that Hegg told him he would plead self-defence when arraigned in court. Hegg is a well known in this vicinity. He is a plasterer and brick mason, as well as proprietor of the camp which the shooting took place. Members of the Crawfordsville party said there were a number of other persons in the fishing camp at the time of the fatal shooting, although the names of none of them have been revealed. It is said that there were three couples from Danville, Ill., and two or three persons from Covington. Coroner Frank Shelby, of Covington, also is conducting an investigation of the shooting and is attempting to secure the names of the other persons who were in the cabin at the time. He was furnished with excellent descriptions of the Covington men. The members of the Crawfordsvile party denied that there had been any quarrel. They said that they were sitting at a table eating when Hegg suddenly ordered everyone out of the place. The blackjack which was said to have been found in Titus' hand was said to have been the property of a state game warden who was in the place. It was said he had been showing his weapons to others in the place and that Titus merly happened to have the instrument in his hand at the time of the fatal shooting. Ernest R. Titus, 47, slain at a fishing shack on the Wabash river near Covington Sunday night, was employed by a local plumber, and was well known. He was born near Alamo April 28, 1886, the son of Adam and Julia Titus. He was married in 1921 to Gladys Cox. He was a member of Greenwood Lodge No, 514 of the Masonic order. During the World war, Mr. Titus was a member of the United States army and served overseas for one year. The survivors include the widow; two brothers, Guy Titus, of Crawfordsville, and Harold Titus, of Lafayette; and three sisters, Mrs. Stella Garrigus, of Indianapolis, Mrs. Bettie Johnson, of Waveland and Miss Ruth Titus of near Russelville. Two sisters and his parents preceded him in death. The funeral services will be held at the home, 512 east Chestnut street, Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in charge of Rev. James H. Wilson, pastor of the First Christian church. Burial will be in the Oak Hill cemetery. - thanks to Kim H