A Terrible Tragedy

John Harmon, a Highly Respected Citizen, Shot and Killed by Peter D. Cole

The End of a Family Feud

The most terrible tragedy within the history of our village took place on Main street, Wednesday evening at about 7:30 o'clock, resulting in the death of John Harmon, at the hand of Peter D. Cole, the circumstances as follows:

Harmon and Cole were adjoining neighbors, and it is a well known and regretted fact among our citizens, that between the two men there was a terrible enmity. This feeling had previously resulted in Cole being twice arraigned before the Common Pleas Court of this county on affidavit of Harmon, once for assault and once for shooting with intent to kill. In each of the above cases Cole was discharged. The case for shooting was tried in the May term of court, and people generally hoped that this would be a final settlement of the trouble between them. Wednesday evening about 7:30, Cole entered the grocery store of W. T. Marvin and his wild and frightened appearance attracted the attention of Marvin, who said to Cole "what is the matter?" Cole made no reply. In a moment after this, Harmon was noticed to come up and stop at the right of the door. At this time Mr. P. T. Michaels came into the store with some chickens for Marvin, and which they together proceeded to put in a coop to the left of the door from where Harmon stood on the outside. As they did this they noticed that Mr. Harmon's son Bertie had come up and was handing his father some money which he was in the act of placing in his pocket-book. Marvin and Michael were startled at the report of a pistol at their side and on looking up saw Cole stauding with pistol in hand between them and Harmon.

From this all was confusion and excitement. Harmon jumped into the street and ran toward Voght's store, amid the screams of the terrified boy and horror stricken bystanders; he had perhaps gone twenty feet, when Cole, following on the sidewalk, fired again, and as Harmon jumped upon the sidewalk to enter Voght's store Cole again shot, whereupon Harmon threw up his hauds and said, "My God I am shot!" and ran into the store, his merciless pursuer still following, and he ran up the aisle on the right towards the rear of the store still another shot was fired by Cole, his victim running around behind the dry goods counter and into the arms of Marshal Burt Clippinger (who was acting us salesman for the day) Harmon crying "Oh save me, Burt!" and in this position Cole again fired, which shot is supposed to have been the fatal one, as reeling to the front of the store he fell bleeding to the floor in the agonies of death; but not however until Cole, with apparently undying hatred, had again discharged his deadly revolver, the ball in this case passing out through the glass front into the wood awning.

Harmon neither spoke or breathed after he fell. Cole made no effort to escape, he seemed to be viewing the result of his bloody work when he was arrested by Marshal Clippenger and Deputy Sheriff Waltimire, who promptly removed him to a place of safety during the excitement, and at 9 o'clock he was taken to Toledo in charge of the above named officers, who turned him over to George Dauro, Sheriff of Henry county, who had come that far to meet them. A medical examination of the body showed that two bullets had passed through the heart, one lodging near the skin on the right side and the other on the left; one shot also took effect in the right arm and was taken out at the elbow joint. Several ladies were in Voght's store, among others Mrs. Voght, wife of the proprietor, who swooned at the sight of the shooting and was for some time in a critical condition. The scene on our street-during the shooting was that of the wildest confusion, children screaming, women crying and men running rendered the sight, especially that of the shooting, one never to be forgotten by those who witnessed it.

Prosecuting Attorney Knupp was notified and was promptly on hand yesterday inquiring into the details of the case, which cannot fall to be one of great magnitude, if not without a parallel in the history of Henry county. He also brought Dr. Harrison, a noted physician of Napoleon, who assisted Drs. Gehrett and Nichols in making an examination of the death producing wounds. Mr. Harmon was a citizen much respected; he was proprietor of the livery stable here besides being the owner of other valuable property in and around Deshler. He has served two years as Marshal and was at present holding the offices of street Commissioner and Constable, in all of which he proved a faithful guardian of the public trust reposed in him. He leaves a wife and five bright intelligent children who have thus suddenly been deprived of an indulgent, loving husband and father. Who can picture the grief of this sorrow stricken family who had seen the father but a few minutes before go out from their home in the glory and prime of manhood, now a bleeding corpse.

Mr. Cole the unfortunate author of all this misery, is a poor man, one who has been considered an industrious and honorable citizen, and has held offices of public trust, apparently enjoying the confidence of all that knew him. He has a wife and one child, a bright little girl whose only comfort will be in the sweet remembrance of the many acts of kindness and love from him who has now plunged their innocent heads in grief that can only entirely cease with death. Let us then, as neighbors and friends, throw round about all afflicted by this sad calamity, the broad mantle of Charity, and offer only such genuine sympathy as shall prove a balm to the hearts that ache.

The remains of the victim of the terrible tragedy that was enacted on Wednesday evening, were taken to Napoleon for interment, where his relatives reside, followed by a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends, this morning.

Cole was arraigned before Justice Reeder on Tuesday. An examination was waived by the prisoner, but Prosecuting Attorney Knupp, wishing to secure part of the testimony some ten or twelve witnesses were examined, when the prisoner was remanded to jail to await the action of the Grand Jury, which will be in session next month. The prisoner seems indifferent and as though he did not realize the terrible condition he is placed in. He has secured Jas. R. Tyler, of Perrysburg, to defend him. Mr. Tyler is a noted criminal lawyer, and if there it anything to be set up in Cole's favor he will bring it out at the proper time.