Another Shooting in the Family Tree: John McGill Shoots Mr. & Mrs. Irvin Gurwell (1909) Part 1

The Humboldt Daily Herald (Humboldt, Kansas), April 22, 1909, Thursday, Page 1 --

INTENDED MURDER 

FAMILY QUARREL IS ENDED WITH FIRE ARM

 SHOOTS SISTER AND BROTHER-IN-LAW, AT ROSE, 

THEN GIVES HIMSELF UP TO SHERIFF

     A serious shooting affray occured about nine miles west of Humboldt yesterday afternoon. From what we could learn, Irvin Gerwell and wife had gone over to visit John McGill, who is a brother of Mrs. Gerwell.  It is supposed that the three got into some dispute, which became so serious that McGill shot his sister and brother-in-law with a revolver. 

     It seems that Frank McGill, who lives near where the shooting took place, was the first to hear of it and he phoned the news to the home of Jake Gerwell.  A brother of Irvin Gerwell immediately jumped on a horse and rode to the home of the injured man.  Finding no one there he rode with all haste into Humboldt, supposing that the injured people had been brought here. 

     Instead, however, Irvin Gerwell, who is not seriously hurt, took his wife to the home of her parents, who live one mile north and four miles east of Rose.  Dr. Dingus, of Yates Center, was immediately called and made an examination of Mrs. Gerwell's wound. 

     The bullet penetrated her right side, but the doctor does not think it touched any vital part.  He says her injury is not dangerous.  The bullet which was fired at Mr. Gerwell hit a button on his clothing and glanced off without doing any harm. 

     John McGill, the man who did the shooting, went directly to Yates Center, where he surrendered himself to the sheriff.  He is now in jail at Yates Center.  The authorities will make a full investigation of the affair today.

Irvin Gurwell was my 1st Cousin, twice removed, on my mother's paternal side.  There is a lot more to be fleshed out about this story, like why and what were the consequences?  Stay tuned.

Copyright © 2021 by Kevin W. Walker