HERRING, Frank - Putnam

Greencastle, Ind March 12 – Frank Herring, age 48, colored, formerly a resident of Greencastle was shot and killed by Fred Bass, another colored man at Brazil at about 7 o’clock Tuesday evening. The shooting occurred in the Bass home. Herring was shot three times. One bullet passed through his heart, one through his left arm and one lodged against the ribs on the left side. A strong thing about the affair is that although Herring was shot through the heart, he was forced at the point of the revolver held by Bass to walk to the police station a few blocks away.  He fell dead after reaching the police station. The shooting occurred after Mrs. Bass, who had been out to do a day’s work, returned home and found Herring, who was intoxicated in her home. She was related to Herring by marriage but was greatly in fear of him.  She asked him to leave the house but he refused. And she says that he threatened her.  The woman ran to the Sourwine Theater where her husband was at work. He secured a revolver and went back to the home with her. Herring was still there and when ordered to leave the house he started to attack Bass.  As he advance on Bass, the latter drew the revolver and shot three times. Each bullet struck Herring. Then at the point of the revolver, Bass forced Herring to walk to the police station a black away. Here he fell dead. Both Bass and Herring are well-known here among the colored people. Herring left here several years ago. He had two brothers, one named Clayton who was sent to the penitentiary from this city.  There was another brother by the name of Grant.  Herring formerly lived here and is known by many of the older colored people.  He is a cousin of Marcus Herring.  He is said to have possessed a vicious temper and was not altogether a desirable citizen. - kbz