COUNTS, William - 1896

WILLIAM E. COUNTS

Born: 2 Dec 1866
Died: 2 Dec 1896
Son of Preston County & Sarah McKnight

Source: Clay County Enterprise Dec 3, 1896 (findagrave.com)

There was a cold blood murder at Reelsville last night. A prominent druggist of that place was the victim and at a late hour last night it was reported he was dead. The name of the druggist was not learned, but train crews coming through gave the details of the shooting. They say at 9:30 the druggist closed his store preparatory to going home for the night. As he stepped out into the street he was set upon by two men. One of the robbers is described as a tall, dark complected fellow. The other is a short well-built man. When the druggist was first assaulted and commanded to give over his money he refused and struck one of the robbers in the face. A three-cornered fight followed in which the druggist was shot by one of the thieves. The shot penetrated his stomach. He was taken to his home where he related the particular to a physician. Toward midnight he became unconscious and a late report says that he is dead. – Terre Haute Express, Wednesday – Marshal Louderback and the Brazil police were also notified and are on the alert for the murderers. The murdered man is Wm. Counts, a Clay County man whose parents reside in Poland (buried Poland Chapel Cemetery). It is understood that the thugs were captured at Terre Haute yesterday morning. It is high time some hanging was done in this part of the state. In recent years murder has ceased to be a crime, measured by the penalties usually assessed, which state of affairs has more to do in encouraging crimes of this kind than all other causes combined. – kbz

Source: Greencastle Banner-Times 11 Dec 1896 p6

The police of Terre Haute have not relaxed their efforts to catch the two men who murdered Druggist Counts of Reelsville last Tuesday night. They have watched all incoming trains and have made a canvass of the boarding houses and all places where evidence is likely to be obtained. At Mrs. Shively’s boarding house, Twelfth & Eagle, it was learned that at least two suspicious men were boarding the day prior to the Reelsville murder. Mrs. Shively does not know their names, but they answer the description given of the two men to a minute detail. They came to Mrs. Shively’s two weeks ago today. First a small man rode upon a wheel and asked for board and lodging for himself and friend. He went away and in a short time returned with another man. Both rode bicycles. They said they were out of money at the time and would leave their wheels at the house to secure Mrs. Shively against loss. They were out most of the night Thanksgiving and when they did come in they were wet to the skin. They explained by saying they had been out with a friend from Illinois. Last Monday at 3 o’clock they informed Mrs. Shively that were going over to the river to call on a relative and would be back the next day. This is the last the woman has seen of them. The murder of the Reelsville druggist occurred Tuesday night. Mrs. Shively remembers having heard the men talk about going to Indianapolis. They have never called for their wheels and it is believed the two machines are stolen property.

Source: Greencastle Banner-Times 25 December 1896 p 1
Sheriff Bunten, Marshal Starr and WD Foster of Reelsville went to Terre Haute Wednesday to take charge of Charles Gray held there under suspicion of being one of Mr. Counts’ murderers. They returned at 1:35, bringing the prisoner with them. He answers well to the description of the younger, smaller man who was seen at Reelsville on the evening of the murder and Mr. Foster had no trouble identifying him as one of them. On his arrival, Gray was placed in the county jail, making his entrance before a large crowd of spectators. The preliminary trial will be held in this city, the murder having occurred in this county.

Source: Greencastle Banner-Times 25 December 1896 p 2
The warrant upon which Charles Gray was brought to this city from Terre Haute was sworn out by Peter Ray of Reelsville. In the party that visited Terre Haute Wednesday was Philip Rebb of Harmony. Mr. Rebb was the only member of the party who had seen the two men who killed the Reelsville druggist. He met them walking along the railroad tracks at Harmony a few hours before the murder was committed and was able to observe them closely as he entered into conversation with them. When he saw Gray at the police station this morning he was unable to positively identify him though he thinks he is one of the men he met at Harmony. A red sweater and cap which Detective McRae brought back from the prisoners home at Jefferson were shown to Rebb who said they resembled those worn by the man he saw. There is a peculiar circumstance attached to the sweater. When the mother of the prisoner learned that her son had been arrested for murder she took the sweater he had been in the habit of wearing and plunged it into a tub of water. It was still wet when Detective McRae secured possession of it. A 38 calibre revolver containing one cartridge belonging to the prisoner was also brought back for evidence. It is claimed that the bullet which killed Druggist Counts was fired from a weapon of the same caliber. Gray has told several conflicting stories concerning his whereabouts on the night of the murder but he still denies his guilt. He says he left Terre Haute on the afternoon before the crime was committed and went as far east as Harmony. Here, with his companion, he camped out, making a fire by the side of the road and cooking something to eat. At the hour of 10 o’clock yesterday Gray was taken from the jail to the office of James T. Denny, JP where he was formally arraigned. PO Colliver appeared for the prisoner and for his counsel, Lamb & Beasley of Terre Haute. The state was represented by Prosecutor JM Rawley of Brazil and SC Matson. Gray entered the room and appeared unconcerned. He is a well built young fellow and has sense enough to keep his mouth shut. He was introduced to his attorney Mr. Colliver by Marshall Sarr and they held a talk. By agreement Justice Denny set the time for the preliminary hearing of Gray for Thursday Dec 31 at 10 o’clock a.m. Gray was then taken back to jail. RH Black, of Plainfield, father of Ed Black, Counts’ clerk was present. His son was in the city with him. RH Black, of Plainfield, who is the father of Ed Black, Mr. Counts’ clerk, was seen in the afternoon and stated that his son positively identified Gray as a man who was in Mr. Counts’ store late in the evening of the murder. He does not state positively that Gray was one of the men that help up Counts and himself. - kbz