2 May 1875
Denison
Daily Cresset
Monday, May 3,
1875
pg. 4
FATAL SHOOTING
AFFRAY
Policeman
Charles Patmon Shot and Instantly Killed.
Policeman
Daniels Receives a Slight Wound
Sunday morning,
a shooting homicide in our city, startled our
people. The perpetrator of this most deliberate murder,
was a gambler and desperado known as
MAJOR JOHN DORN,
and his
Victim was special policeman Charles Patmon.
The particulars
of this dastardly affair, we are furnished by an
eye witness, and a participant in the melee, as follows:
About 1:30
Sunday morning, Policeman Daniels was informed
that one Charles Sherman, a gambler, had a pistol on his
person. Daniels went to Sherman at the
Grand Southern Saloon and asked him to walk back
with
him. This, Sherman did and when in the
rear end of the building, Daniels asked Sherman
if he had a pistol. Sherman replied that he
had none. Daniels, not satisfied with
this, told Sherman that he must see and took
hold of both his arms. Sherman resisted
and said
he would die before he would be searched. Special Policeman
Patmon came to Daniels' assistance and took hold
of the resisting Sherman. In a moment after Patmon
took hold of Sherman, a movement in the rear
caused him to turn his head, and as he did so a
PISTOL FLASHED
IN HIS FACE
and he
staggered. Daniels released his hold on
Sherman and caught his falling comrade.
The shot entered just below the right
cheek bone and is supposed to have ranged back
and downward, striking the spinal column, doing its
murderous work instantly. Dorn, not satisfied
WITH ONE VICTIM
continued the
fire, and second shot making a slight flesh
wound on Daniels' left arm. Daniels,
recognizing his danger, attempted to get behind a
billiard table, and by dint of life dodging,
escaped the third, fourth and fifth
fires. Having by this time reached the
front of the building, Daniels drew a revolver,
but
before he could fire, Dorn and his confederate,
Sherman, escaped through the rear side door to
Austin avenue.
Here all trace of them was lost and all attempts
to ascertain what direction they took have been
fruitless.
The report that
they had changed clothing and been furnished
horses to escape, is unfounded.
That this was a
cold blood murder is without question and active
efforts were made to arrest the murderer; but it is
now believed that he will escape, at least for
the present.
Denison Daily News
Denison, Texas
Tuesday, May 4,
1875
pg 3
[From our Sunday
Extra.}
FOUL MURDER!
Escape of the
Murderer and his Companion.
Mr. Chas. Patman
was shot this morning, about one and a half
o'clock, at the Grand Southern Saloon.
Barnie Daniels
attempted to disarm Sherman, and Sherman
resisting, called on Policeman Patman to assist.
When
Patman went to Daniel's aid, a Major Dorn rose
up and made the remark, "You can't arrest him
God damn you," or words to that effect, and pulling out
his pistol fired, the ball striking Patman in
the right cheek. Seeing Patman was hit,
Daniels released his hold on Sherman and caught
Patman to keep him from falling. Sherman and Dorn immediately
retreated to the door, the latter firing several
shots. They escaped across the street and down the alley
by Uhlig's shop. Patman died almost
instantly.
In a few minutes
after the occurrence Marshal McDowell was on the
ground and a diligent search of the dance halls
and other
buildings were made for the murderer, but
without success.
Daniels and an
assistant started in search of the murderer
early in the morning, and went to Duck creek,
north of the city. They got back about seven o'clock.
The murderer and his companion are thought to be
in Duck creek bottom or making their way
down Red River.
The sad affair
originated about two weeks ago in one of the
Dance houses on Skiddy street, when Daniels had
some words
with Sherman.
Daniels received
a slight flesh wound last night in the right arm
below the shoulder from one of the shots.
Parties were out
searching for the murderer and his companion
Sunday and Monday, but notwithstanding several
rumors we do not think any trace of them has been
discovered. It is the opinion of some that they
have not left the city. It is believed
Sunday morning that horses had been taken to
them, as a man was seen to ride down Main street
on a horse about 4 o'clock and
leading another horse. It has since transpired
that the horses were for a party at the Alamo
who had engaged them for a early ride. It is
believed, however, that Dorn and Sherman went to
a room in the Dinsmore House immediately after
the killing and changed a portion of their
clothing.
Patman was
buried Monday evening at four o'clock. A long
procession of carriages followed the remains to
the grave. The funeral services were conducted by Rev.
Mr. Jamison.
The Dallas Daily Herald
Dallas, Texas
May 6, 1875
pg 1
The Reported
Capture of Major Dorn
[From the Denison News,
5th instant.]
A dispatch was
received by Mayor Lingo from Vinita Tuesday
afternoon stating that a man named had been
arrested in that town who answered
the description of Major Dorn, the murderer of
Patman. Later dispatches state that this man was
discovered in a cattle car, and that when found he
acted deranged. He stated he was from Texas,
where he had a wife and child. Those best acquainted with
Dorn do not believe he would be so easily
bagged.
He was
handcuffed, and will be held until an officer
can get there from this city. Policeman Daniels
started for Vinita on the 6 o'clock train. Mr. Stuart, the
contractor, says he is confident he saw the same
man at Caddo Monday morning about 7 o'clock. He
was then
trying to hire a team to take him into the
country a few miles. About 4 o'clock Mr. Stuart
went up the road on a hand car, and that
evening about five o'clock came up with the same
man about fifteen miles from Caddo, who then
said he
had been lost in the bottom, and feigned partial
derangement, but was rational enough at Caddo.
He got on the car and rode about a mile. This man
was armed with a navy revolver.
Denison Daily News
Friday, May 7,
1875
pg. 3
The News was
the first paper to inform the citizens of
Denison of the foul murder of policeman Patmon,
which it
did by an extra early the same morning, and a News extra
was on the street by sun-up Thursday morning,
announcing the capture of the murderer, at least
an hour before the squeak of the Cresset man
was heard crying, "E - X- T- R- A!"
THE ARREST
How it was
Accomplished
The Statement of
Marshal Erwin
Mr. W.J. Erwin,
Marshal of Sherman, who managed the arrest of
Dorn, the murderer of the policeman Patmon, has kindly furnished
us with the following particulars:
Mr. Erwin
resides near the residence of a Mr. Blevins, a
gambler. In going back and forth past
Blevins' house his attention was attracted to
certain actions which awakened his suspicions,
and he finally made up his mind he would
search the premises for Dorn, who, it was
surmised, was secreted either at Denison or Sherman.
Wednesday night he went to Constables Ed.
Douglas and Gordon, told them his plans and they
agreed to
assist in the search. Subsequently they
got fourteen or fifteen trustworthy citizens to
join
them, and about 2 o'clock Thursday morning they
quietly surrounded Mr. Blevins' house. Mr.
Erwin sent
in a note requesting to see Mr. Blevins.
Mrs. B. came to the door and said he was not
there,
having gone to
Denison. Mr. Erwin then told her his
business, and demanded that Dorn come out and surrender. To
this she replied most emphatically that Dorn was
not in the house, and had not been there.
On being asked
to allow them to search the house, she declared
that they should not do it until Mr. Blevins returned
that morning. To be on the safe side Mr.
Erwin turned to Constable Gordon and asked him to go back and
take out a search warrant. It is supposed
she overheard this, for she spoke up and asked Mr. Erwin to
come in. He went onto the gallery, but
concluded it was the better part of valor not to step inside
under the circumstances. As he turned to
leave, Mrs. Blevins came out and confessed that Dorn was in the
house, and would surrender if he could be
guaranteed protection from a mob;
otherwise he
would fight. He asked if the party was in
charge of an officer and was very solicitous to
learn
whether or not there were any Denison men in the
party. Being assured that he would not
suffer bodily
harm, he told them to come in.
Mr. Erwin and
four or five others then entered the
house. They found Dorn standing in the
center of the room, with two pistols lying on the
floor at his feet, one on either side. He
raised up his hands and said, "I surrender;
there is no fight here." He was conveyed
directly to the jail. On the way he assumed a careless
air, and talked and joked on various subjects,
though it was quite apparent he was uneasy in mind.
On being
questioned regarding the murder, he said he did
not regret what he had done, though he had killed the wrong
man.
In running from
the Grand Southern, where the murder was
committed, Dorn sprained his foot very badly, and it was with
difficulty that he walked to the lock-up.
From Thursday's
Extra
DORN CAPTURED!
Dorn was
arrested early this morning, at Sherman, by
Sheriff Vaden.
He was given
away by someone, and a party of 20 or 30 men
surrounded the house he was in and captured him.
Chas.
Sherman came in and surrendered himself up to
McDowell this morning, and placed under heavy
bonds. When
the sheriff demanded entrance to the house Dorn
was in - Dorn asked who was there, and after
finding it was the sheriff and posse he
surrendered without any resistance. Dorn is now safe in
jail at Sherman.
There are
several stories afloat as to how Sherman and
Dorn spent the time from Sunday morning until
the arrest
in Sherman Thursday. One is that Dorn,
having sprained his ankle, was carried by
Sherman to the school building, and
kept secreted there two nights - they both
taking to the brush for better security during the
day, Sherman doing the "foraging" as opportunity
offered. It is also said that when it was decided to
remove to Sherman, Sherman volunteered to carry
Dorn on his back, which he did most of the distance -
ten miles. Sherman is himself very
reticent on the subject.
MAJOR DORN
Major Dorn, who
is now in the Sherman jail for killing an
officer while on duty, belongs to a Virginia family of wealth and
influence. He received his military title
in the Confederate army, where he did valiant service for
the lost cause. He is, in many respects, a
peculiar man - cool, calculating, of few words, lacking
sociability, yet in appearance
prepossessing. It is said he is seldom
seen to smile. He never uses spirituous liquors, and
does not use tobacco in any form. This is
an outline of the man who is said to
have killed several men, and is now charged with
the deliberate shooting of Charles Patman, without the
least cause of provocation.
A close cab,
containing a woman, was driven into Denison
Tuesday night, and the occupant had the vehicle
halted at
the different hotels, to make inquiries for a
man she claimed as her husband. About 2
o'clock the cab started back toward
Sherman. Did that cab have Major Dorn
inside on its return?
Denison Daily News
Denison, Texas
Saturday, May 8,
1875
pg 3
Dorn's Line of
Defense
We are informed
Major Dorn takes the ground that he was acting
in self-defense when he shot and killed Patman.
His version of
the affair is that Daniels drew his pistol and
attempted to shoot him, (Dorn). Dorn says he grasped the pistol
with his left hand; that Barney fired at him,
and that his hand was powder-burned by the explosion. He then
drew his own pistol and defended himself the
best he could, firing as rapidly as possible until he got out the
door.Dorn
speaks confidently of proving that Barney fired
first, when he comes to a trial.
Denison Daily News
Denison, Texas
Tuesday, May 25,
1875
pg 2
Special Notice
The City
Council, at their last adjourned meeting,
authorized a voucher issued for the $500 reward
offered
for the arrest of Major Dorn, the murderer of
Chas. Patman. All persons interested in the
reward will
please present their claims to the Mayor or City
council, on or before their next regular meeting
- the
first Thursday in June.
E. H. Lingo,
Mayor
Denison Daily News
Denison, Texas
Saturday, June
5, 1875
pg 3
Satisfactory
evidence having been furnished that Marshal
Irvin, of Sherman, and associates, were entitled
to the
reward offered for the capture of Doran, the
murderer of Policeman Patman, it was ordered
that warrants be drawn on the City
Treasurer for the amount of the reward - $500 -
to pay the same.
Denison Daily News
Denison, Texas
Tuesday, July 6,
1875
pg 1
The brother of
Maj. T. A. Doran, who killed policeman Patman,
of your city, accompanied by a prominent
criminal lawyer, arrived from Kentucky,
Thursday, and are busily engaged in preparing
for the trial.
The Dallas Weekly Herald
Dallas, Texas
Saturday, July
17, 1875
pg 4
Sherman Register:
"T. A. Doran, the man who killed the policeman
at Denison a few weeks ago, is to be tried for
his life
at this term of the court. Colonel Craig, a
lawyer of considerable reputation, from
Illinois, came down to defend him, but has
returned. Doran's brother came down with him to
be present at the trial."
The Daily News
Denison, Texas
Saturday, July
22, 1876
pg 3
Captain J. M.
Hurt, formerly of this city, but for some months
past a resident of Dallas, reached this city
this morning.
He is here as counsel for the defendant in the
Doran murder case. He will remain over until
Saturday and make a speech at the democratic
ratification meeting. - Register,
Thursday.
The Daily News
Denison, Texas
Wednesday,
August 2, 1876
pg 3
The deputy
sheriff of Tarrant county is in the city. He
came over to bring Pony Spencer, a witness in
the Doran murder case, for the defendant, on
account of whose absence the case was postponed
until the last week of court. He was brought over
under attachment, and is now in jail. Sherman, Register,
Monday.
The Daily News
Denison, Texas
Wednesday,
August 16, 1876
pg 5
The Doran trial
has been continued until the January term. The
Major shows the effect of close confinement and
mental anguish.
He is very pale, has fallen off in flesh, and
his hair which was black when he was first
incarcerated in the county jail, is
now gray.
The Galveston Daily News
Galveston, Texas
Tuesday, August
22, 1876
pg 2
The trial of S.
A. Doran for the murder of Charlie Patman, in
Denison, was entered into last Monday. Of the
special venire of sixty men summoned, only six
competent jurors could be procured. Another
venire was directed to be summoned, and the court adjourned to
Tuesday morning. On the next day defendant's
counsel made the point that a new jury law had
been passed and approved, taking effect from
passage, and that the present jury was
incompetent to try defendant. The State and
defendant then withdrew their announcements and
the case was continued by consent to the next
term.
The Dallas Weekly Herald
Dallas, Texas
Saturday,
August 28, 1875
pg 1
Major Doran, who
killed a Denison policeman, is yet in jail in
default of eight thousand dollars bail.
The Daily News
Denison, Texas
Friday, April
13, 1877
pg 3
The evidence in
the Doran case was closed this morning, and the
argument is now going on. This case has created
more
interest, and drawn larger crowds to the
courthouse, than any one for a long while past.
The murder of Patman, of which Doran is
accused, was committed in a saloon at Denison
nearly two years ago, and Doran has been
confined in jail at Sherman ever since - having
succeeded in continuing the case against him
three times. He is defended by Hon. J. M. Hurt,
Judge Silas Hare and Mr. Caskey, and the State
is represented by County Attorney Cowles and Col. Cockrell. The
evidence has been carefully sifted on both
sides, and from the character of the counsel
engaged, we doubt not will be most ably presented
to the jury. The jury will probably get the case
to-morrow morning. -Sherman Register,
Wednesday.
Major Doran
Acquitted
The News
received the following dispatch from Sherman at
2 o'clock last evening:
SHERMAN, April
12. 1877.
To Denison News:
At ten minutes
to two o'clock the jury in the Doran case
returned a verdict of not guilty. Doran shook
hands with
each member of the jury, and was congratulated
by the crowd generally. He has been confined in
an iron cage seven hundred and twelve days.---Daily Register.
The Daily News
Denison, Texas
Saturday, April
14, 1877
pg 3
"NOT GUILTY"
Doran Acquitted
of the Charge of Murder.
[Sherman Daily
Register.}
No case tried in
this county for a long time past, has excited
the same degree of interest as that of the State
vs.
S. A. Doran,
charged with the murder of Charles Patman, a
policeman, at Denison, about two years ago. The
shooting
occurred in a
saloon, and while Patman and one Barney Daniels,
both policemen, were attempting to disarm
Sherman, a
friend of
Doran's. The testimony was very strong against
Doran, three witnesses swearing positively to
the shooting. The
theory of the
defense was that in the scuffle between Daniels,
Patman and Sherman, Daniels had a pistol in his
hand, and
in endeavoring
to use it, one of the parties knocked it up, and
it was discharged, the ball taking effect in
Patman's head
and causing
death. The defense did not deny that three shots
were fired at Daniels by Doran after Patman was
shot. The
testimony of
Daniels was conflicting and contradictory, and
the shrewd attorneys for the defense made the
best use
of the different
stories he had told of the transaction. The
argument was lengthy and exhaustive, and when
the case
was given to the
jury to-day at 12 o'clock, the comments
throughout the large crowd in the court room,
showed that public
sentiment was
about evenly balanced. Speculations as to what
would be the verdict of the jury were freely
indulged,
and when the
court reassembled at half-past one, the court
room was crowded with those anxious to learn the
verdict.
They were
not kept in waiting long. As the hands of the
clock pointed to ten minutes of two, the tread
of the jury in whose
hands was placed
the life of the prisoner was heard, and at once
silence reigned. The jury being polled, in
response to the
usual question
from the judge, announced that they had
AGREED IN THEIR
VERDICT.
The prisoner
watched intently the faces of the jury as they
were being polled, but evidently gained no
intimation as what
the verdict
would be, for, though watching the clerk with
apparent calmness as he read the verdict, it
could be seen that
he was quivering
with anxiety. The clerk read slowly the verdict
of NOT
GUILTY,
and as he
concluded a mummer of approbation ran through
the crowd. A happy smile lit up the prisoner's
face, and with
a grace well
befitting the occasion, he stepped forward and
shook hands warmly with each member of the jury.
Doran is a tall,
fine-looking man, of much culture, and is said
to have been a gallant officer in the
Confederate service. His hair, that was a black as a
raven's wing when first confined, has turned to
a silvery gray, but his fine eye has lost none
of its brilliance. He was confined in a
small iron cage, crowded full of prisoners, for
seven hundred
and twelve days, and at last walks out a free
man.
Denison Daily News
Saturday,
December 28, 1878
pg. 4
REPORTED DEATH
OF DORAN
It is re ported
that Doran, who killed the Denison
policeman, and was so long lodged in jail in
this place and finally acquitted after an
exciting trial for his life, was killed at
Junction City, Kimble county, a few days
since. He and a man named Kimble had
an altercation,
during which he shot and killed Kimble and was
in turn killed by Kimble's father.
And thus endeth the chapter. - - - Sherman
Register
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