Submitted by:

John Cauley

Great Great Grandson

of City Marshall Marion Marcus Coleman

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Daily Democrat

Tuesday, September 19, 1905

 

Coleman Shot In Back;

 

City Marshal slain without warning on Public Street;

 

Tragedy a great shock to Marlin people;

 

            M. M. Coleman, for twenty years a city marshal of Marlin, lies dead as the result of a gun shot wound inflected by Holland R. Dillard on Live Oak street Monday afternoon at a few minutes to four o’clock.

 

            But one shot was fired, the right hand barrel of a breech loading shotgun, loaded with No. 5 buckshot. Eleven of the twelve shot took effect, one passing through the neck. Upon the crack of the gun the city marshal fell foreword on his face and expired instantly. In falling an ugly contusion was made over the right eye by coming in contact with the pavement.

 

            All the shot took effect between the two shoulders. It is the opinion of physicians that some large blood vessel was perforated, causing death so quickly.

 

            Policeman Stallworth was the nearest man to the marshal when the shot was fired. They were going to the central depot where Mr. Coleman expected to take the train for Waco on an official business mission. They were very close together and the shot that did not strike Coleman whistled by Stallworth’s ear, struck the plate glass in Bykowsky’s show window, glanced and splintered the casing of the window.

 

            Dillard had driven up in his buggy, going in the same direction as the officers and when at an angle of about 45 degrees, placed the gun to his shoulder and fired. Policeman Stallworth turned immediately and covered Dillard with his six shooter. Dillard dropped the gun and was lead off to jail.

 

            Physicians were called to the prostrate man but life had already ebbed away. After the body was viewed by Justice Frazier it was turned over to the undertaker and prepared for burial.

 

            The shooting was a great shock to the people near the scene. For a few seconds there was a death like silence along the street, only to be followed by a general rush to the side of the dead man. The crowds surged thick around him until the body was removed to the undertaker. No one, probably not even the marshal himself, was expecting trouble, much less a tragedy of this kind and the excitement was intense for a time.

 

            The marshal was in his shirt sleeves and carried his hand grip. He never spoke an audible word after the shot was fired and died without knowing who his slayer was.

 

            Dillard was seen at his cell in the county jail by a Democrat reporter, and asked if he desired to make any statement. He said he did not at this time. He appeared perfectly cool but was complaining some for his lame leg which he stated was wrenched again in the scramble at the buggy. He was raised at Bremond and comes from an old family of that section. He has been in Marlin a year or two and has a wife and one child.

 

            City Marshal Coleman was known throughout Texas, among brother Officers, as a fearless official, and while at times his official record came under criticism here at home, he never failed of reflection before the people and held office in all about twenty years, continuously the past fifteen years. He was a remarkable cool man under trying circumstances, having dealt with many bad characters in early days.

 

            Deceased was about 60 years of age and was a native of Missouri, though he had lived nearly all his life in Texas. He enlisted in the Confederate services at Marlin in April 1862 and served as a private the remainder of the war, being a member of Company B, 5^th Texas Cavalry, Tom Green’s brigade. He was assigned to Hardeman’s Division, Kirby Smith’s corps.

 

            He leaves five children, A. L. Coleman of Otto, C. C. Coleman of Marlin, M. M. Coleman of Comanche, Elmore Coleman of Beeville and Mrs. Jack Morris of Houston.

 

            The funeral will take place some time tomorrow morning from the residence of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Allen. The hour will be arranged upon the arrival of all the children.

 

            Judge Frazier is holding inquest proceedings today at which a number of witnesses were examined. His findings will be formal and his verdict entered in accordance with the facts.

 

 

The Daily Democrat

Wednesday, September 20, 1905

 

Funeral of Marshal Coleman;

 

            All that was mortal of M. M. Coleman was laid away in the Marlin cemetery at 10:30 today.

 

            The last sad rites were conferred in the presence of a large body of relatives and friends most of whom had known him many years. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. W. W. Watts, pastor of the M. E. Church.

 

            The stores of Marlin were closed from about 10 to 10:30 in honor of the dead marshal. No man ever served his people in the matter of protecting their property and the peace of the community with more faithfulness and fidelity than did Major Coleman that of the people of Marlin. The token of respect thus shown him was deserved and extended willing though sorrowfully.

 

            The funeral was attended by the city officers which whom he had long been identified and by comrades who served with him in the memorable conflict between the states. Every respect was shown the dead officer.

 

            The funeral took place from the residence of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Allen the remains being escorted by Mayor I. L. Peterson and Alderman J. H. Robertson, S. A. Silverman, W. W. Turner, H. G. Rush and Geo. E. Sanders, active pall bearers.

 

            All the children were present at the last sad obsequies.

 

 

     NOTE:  M. M. Coleman was known as Marion Marcus Coleman.  Even though it says that he was buried in Marlin Cemetery, he is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Marlin Falls County, Texas with his wife Esther Adaline (Conoly) Coleman –jc

 

 

Officer Down Memorial Page
City Marshall Marion Marcus Coleman