John Wesley Pyle Shooting of William Shaw
 

Cincinnati Daily Enquirer, 19 June 1867, pge 3

NEWPORT

John Wesley Pyle, who shot and killed William Shaw, his brother-in-law, at Riebalt's tavern, near the mouth of Four Mile Creek, on Sunday afternoon last, was arraigned before Esquires Spillman and Truesdale, at Alexandria on Monday, when the prisoner waived an examination and was admitted to bail in the sum of $4000, which he gave and was released from custody.

As well as we can learn, there was but one person who witnessed the killing of Shaw and he does not know what conversation took place between the parties before the shooting. The witness testified before the Coroner's Jury that he saw Shaw and Pyle talking together, that they did not appear to be angry or excited, but on the contrary, their conversation was conducted in rather a low tone.

When the first shot was fired, the witness looked towards the parties and saw Shaw have a hold of Pyle's throat and the latter continued to shoot until he had discharged five loads out of his pistol, when Shaw fell back and expired. Upon examination of his body, it was found that four of the shots had taken effect.

A short stick filled with lead and a knife were found in the pockets of the deceased, but it does not appear that he made any attempt to use either weapon. It is said that there had been a bad feeling existing between the parties for some time and that Shaw had threatened to kill Pyle.


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