Wilson - Harry - killed 1898
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday 8 April 1898
Harry Wilson, who until recently resided here, was killed Monday night last in Michigan City. The first report was to the effect that it was his brother, Fred, the ball player, but this was later corrected. The following special from Michigan City Wednesday gives the details of the tragedy:
“While Patrolman Barney Dolan was attempting to arrest Harry Wilson yesterday afternoon Wilson resisted and was struck on the head by the officer with his mace. Wilson was taken to the city jail and incarcerated for intoxication and resisting an officer and no thought was entertained that the means employed was sufficient to cause a fatality. About 9 o’clock Wilson was found breathing heavily in his cell. Two doctors were called, who informed the brother and the officers that his life was short. He was immediately removed to the residence of his brother, Coody Wilson, a saloonkeeper, where he died at 2 o’clock this morning.
Wilson had been drinking during the day and about 2 o’clock, in company with several boon companions, Patrolman Dolan saw them and started out to get the party. He followed them into Pangborn’s barber shop and told Wilson that he was compelled to arrest him. Wilson refused to be arrested and made a pass at the patrolman, when the latter drew his mace and hit him over the head. There was a scuffle between the officer and Wilson, when Wilson was again struck and carried to the city jail. He immediately sank into a comatose condition, which was thought to be a drunken stupor. When he was examined by the physicians his condition was pronounced dangerous. After his death the patrolman was placed in jail to await the verdict of the coroner. A post mortem examination was held this afternoon and it was discovered that his death was caused by a fracture of the skull. The coroner has not yet given his verdict, but it is the opinion of everyone that it will go hard with the patrolman, as he was not justified in using his mace under the conditions.”
The Michigan City News gives the following additional particulars of his death:
“Witnesses to the affair, who were in the barber shop when Wilson was arrested, give a different version of the affair. They claim that he did not resist the officer and that the officer struck Wilson without the slightest provocation. They claim further that Wilson was not drunk, though they admit that Hart, who was his partner, was drunk. While it does not look reasonable that any officer would use his mace upon any person without, at least, some provocation, yet it is not the purpose of this account of the unfortunate affair to determine, and these differences will probably have to be left for the courts to decide.
Drs. H. W. Wilson and J. J. Kerrigan held a post mortem examination this afternoon at A. F. Earl’s undertaking rooms, over the remains of Harry Wilson, beginning at 1:30 and finishing an hour later. The removal of the top of the skull revealed the fact that the skull was fractured and that death was caused by a large clot of blood on the left side of the brain just about three inches above the left ear, pushing the brain with its covering about two inches inward. There was a crack on the side of the skull about three quarters of an inch long. This is in substance the report which the doctors will make to the coroner.”
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday 8 April 1898
The Michigan City News of Thursday speaking of the killing of Harry Wilson says:
“Since the sensational gossip and many stories incident to the first announcement of the death of Harry Wilson from the effects of a mace in the hands of Policeman Dolan, have had their run, much sympathy is expressed for Mr. Dolan and but little, if any censure, by public sentiment, is placed upon the officer. That the officer was justified in using his mace is now hardly questioned by those who have investigated the cause.
The affair was an unfortunate one, and no one regrets its occurrence more than does Mr. Dolan. While he probably feels that he did only his duty, as an officer of the law, in making an arrest of a defiant and dangerous character, yet, the results fall upon him with a crushing sorrow, such as none but those placed in similar circumstances can realize. Mrs. Dolan is distracted with grief and has the sympathy of everyone.
On the other hand, but little sympathy is heard expressed for the unfortunate young man whose own conduct brought upon him the misfortune which befell him. His conduct, not only since he has lived in Michigan City, but while at his former home, Crawfordsville, was not such as would illicit much sympathy. He has had frequent trouble, and at times has been guilty of assaults wherein his victim might have met the fate that has befallen him. He has at times been in the custody of the police, and upon one occasion made his escape by striking an officer and then jerking loose and running away for which he was never prosecuted. He had made loud threats that no Michigan City policeman could ever take him, and that he could not be taken. With this condition of affairs confronting an officer who attempts to make an arrest, it is not at all likely that he will take many changes in being himself defeated, or assaulted by a resisting offender of the law; hence, while it may appear from first impressions that Officer Dolan might have been overzealous in the performance of his duties, yet, when the true conditions are known, as they no doubt will be when a hearing of the case is had in court, it is not unlikely that his actions may be deemed justifiable.”
UNLAWFUL THREATS
“It is understood that certain parties in sympathy with the dead man’s cause, have been making threats of a vicious nature, swearing dire vengeance upon Mr. Dolan. It would be better, perhaps, for all parties concerned if such threats were not made. It will only tend to injure the cause of those who may feel they have been injured and displays a disposition not calculated to deserve much sympathy. The attempt to carry out such threats could not but end utterly disastrous to the persons making such attempts.”
The coroner’s verdict was as follows:
“Whereas, on an inquisition over the dead body of Harry Wilson, held this day, I render the following verdict: I find that Harry Wilson came to his death from a blood clot on the brain, caused by a blow from a mace held in the hand of Bernard W. Dolan.”
“Given under my hand and seal, the 5th day of April, 1898.
J. H. Long, Coroner
Immediately after the coroner rendered his verdict last night, Constable W. H. Donly placed Officer Dolan under arrest. Mr. Dolan was taken to the prison last evening and given comfortable quarters in the officers’ department, where he now remains. A warrant was issued today by Justice Snook charging Mr. Dolan with involuntary manslaughter. Upon the agreement of the attorneys the preliminary hearing of the defendant was deferred until Thursday, April 14. In the meantime, Justice Snook ordered Constable Donly to keep Mr. Dolan in custody.
BODY BROUGHT HERE
The body of the dead boy arrived in Crawfordsville yesterday, being accompanied by his family and several friends. Among others was Morris Gibson, late of this city and now a ball player on the Michigan City team. Gibson asserts that the killing was a willful murder and is so held by the people of Michigan City. He says Dolan is an ugly customer and entirely too free with his mace.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 16 September, 1898
The trial of Officer Dolan, who killed Harry Wilson, a little Crawfordsville tough last winter, is now in progress at Michigan City. The Michigan City News gives the following resume of the testimony of Messrs. Davis and Dickerson of this city, who testified there:
“Ex-sheriff Chas E. Davis, of Montgomery County, said Harry Wilson was arrested five or six times during his term of office. There was always a fight when Harry was brought in. He always resisted and fought the officers. Wilson was considered a bad character by the police of Crawfordsville. Considered him quarrelsome and knew they had a job on their hands when they went to arrest him.
On cross examination witness stated that Wilson did not have the reputation of a James. Didn’t know that he carried a revolver, but Wilson once used a rock or ax, didn’t remember which, on Marshall Grimes of Crawfordsville. After Harry had been killed, Grimes told Davis that Wilson was the same fellow who came near killing him. - thanks S for these last two
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 16 September, 1898
Special to the Journal:
Michigan City, Ind., Sept. 15—The court held a session last night for the closing arguments in the trial of Officer Dolan who was being tried on the charge of killing Harry Wilson by clubbing him while attempting to arrest him early in the spring. The case went to the jury at 10:30 o’clock last night and after seven hours’ deliberation a verdict of acquittal was returned at 1:30 this afternoon.
Howard Dickerson, colored turnkey at the Crawfordsville jail, was the last witness called yesterday afternoon. He had lived in Crawfordsville for twelve or thirteen years. Knew Harry Wilson for four or five years. Wilson was locked up five times for drunkenness and disorderly conduct while Dickerson was turnkey. Harry had frequent quarrels with the officers. Thought that the officers had it in for him, but was always peaceful in jail. Never caused any trouble while under arrest. At one time Wilson was locked up for fighting. Dickerson stated that Wilson was of a kind disposition when sober, but of a fighting disposition when drunk. Dickerson was then asked by the defense if Harry was a pugilist. Dickerson said no. Upon cross examination Dickerson said that he knew nothing of Wilson’s reputation other than when he was brought to the jail. Witness was then asked to tell of each of the five times that Wilson was brought there. Dickerson could only cite three instances. Said that during his period of turnkey at the jail he saw Wilson drunk on the streets two or three times.”