1894: Shooting death of C. F. Harman by Marshall Stockwell, part 1

(From the New Era files of 1894)
by Betty Jane Wilson

A series of conflagrations, tragedies, shootings, denominational destruction enhanced by denominational joys and miracles dominated by the early 1890s news items reported by the Valley Falls New Era, predecessor of the Valley Falls Vindicator.

The May 5, 1894, headlines:

"C.F. HARMAN SHOT AND INSTANTLY KILLED BY CITY MARSHAL ALLEN STOCKWELL," followed by:

"The quiet of our city was broken Thursday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. by the loud report of four pistol shots fired in rapid succession. The shooting occurred at the city hall and jail. At the crossing to the alley back of Gephart's Bank lay Fora Harman and over him stood city Marshal Stockwell. The long feud was over and death had ended it. The body was carried to city hall to await the coroner who had been telegraphed at city hall.

"Sheriff Weatherford happened to be in the city at the time and the Marshal surrendered to him at once. The wife, mother, and brothers were notified of the victim's death. The father, somewhere in the southern part of the county, could not be found.

"Fora has been the black sheep of the flock and has caused the family untold agony and thousands of dollars by his wayward ways. He was to have a new trial at the next term of court for grand larceny. Marshal Stockwell was the principal witness and unless he could get him out of the way, he was sure to be convicted. He had, on a number of occasions, threatened the marshal's life. The two were bitter enemies.

"The immediate cause that led to the shooting as far as we can learn was that Harman was at the window talking to Frank Wright in the city jail. Wright was in the jail on a disorderly conduct charge. Stockwell had warned Harman to stay away from the jail. As he went down the alley, he saw Harman at the window and ordered him to leave. Harman made some remark and started toward the marshal. The marshal opened fire. He fired four shots.

"A post mortem examination revealed that only one bullet going through the pulmonary artery caused death.

"The coroner and acting county attorney swore in the jurymen and the following day the coroner conducted the inquest. A number of witnesses were examined. Testimony showed that Harman had repeatedly threatened to kill Marshal Stockwell. But the marshal had never threatened Harman. No one saw Harman and Stockwell before the shooting, but several saw it after the first shot was fired. Harman was then running west and fell on the sidewalk leading south past the Gephart's Bank. The sentiment seems to be all in Stockwell's favor and it is thought he was justified in defending himself.

"Of course the coroner's jury will decide according to the evidence given."

May 12, 1894, the Valley Falls New Era reported:
"EXONERATED. MARSHAL STOCKWELL JUSTIFIED IN SHOOTING FORA HARMAN."

"The coroner's jury examined about 30 witnesses out of whom only four testified they had not heard Fora Harman make threats against Marshal Stockwell. No one testified they had seen Stockwell and Harman at the city jail. Just before the shooting occurred, Mr and Mrs. Durham saw Mr. Harman in the window and saw him run after the first shot was fired.

"The jury rendered the following verdict: 'We, the jury, find that C.F. Harman came to his death on the third day of May 1894, on or about 10 o'clock p.m. in the City of Valley Falls, Kansas, by a pistol shot fired by the hand of Allen Stockwell, city marshal, and that the killing was justifiable and lawful. — E.M. Hutchins, foreman, H.M. Doolittle, D.P. Paxton, H.D. Butts, J. A. Evans, and G.W. Elson, jurymen.'

"Immediately after the verdict, Mr. Stockwell was arrested upon complaint of Colfax Harman, brother of the deceased, and his preliminary trial was set for the following Monday before Justice Beland. His bond was set at $1,000 and was signed by all three of our bankers."

Next, The Case and the Other Side.

The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.

September displays in the museum windows

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

The Valley Falls Historical Society museum window scene for September features sports equipment indicative of past years and obvious usage.

Basketball, football, softball, baseball, etc., all borrowed from the society museum showcases, dominate the display with a variety of trophies — for reminders of Valley Falls' sports winnings and academic accomplishments.

A gold background curtain, centered, with a mega black mesh wreath, embellished with tiny basketballs and footballs and large gold V and F letters identify the school — all designed to welcome all Valley Falls students to the 2014-15 school year.

The veterans window for August honored the memory of the World War II defeat of the Japanese with newspapers dated Aug. 14, 1945, with blazing headlines declaring VJ Day.

The September window display also includes memories of 9/11/2001 when the nation and the world were shocked when the New York World Trade Center and the nation's Capitol and surrounding areas were attacked by terrorists and the resulting death and destruction.

The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.