This series of articles on the Kalahar murder in Orion, Henry Co., IL in 1872 was transcribed and contributed for our use in the archives by Douglas Marlin Kalahar Also included are little facts and notes about the Kalahar family. ========================================================================= THE ROCK ISLAND ARGUS .. 22 January 1872 MURDER AT ORION [Illinois] A report reached our city today that a murder had taken place at Orion. We have been unable to gather any complete intelligence of the affair. It is certain, however, that a farmer named Michael Kalahar was shot dead there on Saturday last by some man whose name we could not learn. The murderer was promptly arrested and is now confined in the jail at Cambridge. Why the atrocious deed was committed, or what led to it, we have not learned. [Kalahar] lived about a mile and a half from the town. He leaves a wife and eight children. It is indeed a lamentable affair. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE ROCK ISLAND ARGUS .. 23 January 1872 THE ORION TRAGEDY - FULL PARTICULARS Yesterday we gave a few unauthentic particulars in regard to the fatal shooting affair at Orion. Today we are enabled to give our readers complete particulars thanks to our enterprising correspondent residing at the scene of the unfortunate occurrence. Here is his letter. ORION, ILL., Jan. 22, 1872 EDITOR ARGUS - Dear Sir: Our quiet town was unusually excited on Saturday last by the shooting of Michael [Kalahar] by John Marshall. He was instantly killed. [Kalahar] and one Murphey had been drinking freely at various places until about three o'clock in the afternoon, when they went to the saloon known as the "The Rest", kept by John Marshall, took a drink there and became so boisterous that Marshall put them out and locked the door. [Kalahar] then commenced breaking the windows in with his feet and fist. Marshall ordered him to desist, but he continued and when the lower sash was smashed in and part of the upper one, Marshall fired with a Smith & Wesson six-shooter, the ball entering [Kalahar's] eye and lodging in his brain. [Kalahar] fell on the side walk and immediately expired. Marshall delivered himself up. An inquest was held on the dead body by Levi Higgins, Esq., and Marshall was committed to the Henry County jail. The indignation of the citizens against the saloon keepers is to be expressed tonight at a public meeting at the Baptist Church, and the propriety of cleaning them all out is freely discussed, but we hope no violence will be attempted. All our saloons are selling in violation of law, and the law should be enforced against them to the letter. Yours truly, ORION. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The following is the version of the affair given by the correspondent of the PEORIA DEMOCRAT. Quite a tragedy occurred at Orion last Saturday afternoon. A saloon keeper by the name of John Marshall shot a man named [Kalahar], killing him instantly. The ball entered his head just below the right eye, coming out the back of the head. [Kalahar] had been drinking and had just been put out of the saloon, and was trying to break through a window when he was shot. He had been told several times to desist, by Marshall, before he fired. Marshall claims to be an Englishman, is an entire stranger in the country and had just opened his saloon a few days before the tragedy. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. and Mining Association. Great excitement prevails at this place with considerable talk of lynching. Marshall is now lying in jail here awaiting an examination. * * * * Listed in 1870 census for Hanna Township, Henry County, Illinois as follows: "Michael Kileher; 35 years of age; male; white; Farmer; Value of real estate - $4,000; Value of personal estate - $580; born in Ireland; parents of foreign birth; can not read or write; not a U.S. citizen. * * * * HENRY COUNTY CHRONICLE, Cambridge, Illinois (24 January 1872): THE EFFECT OF WHISKY, A Man Shot and Instantly Killed at a Whisky Saloon in Orion. . The Perpetrator in Jail. . . The usually quiet and orderly village of Orion was thrown into an intense state of excitement last Saturday afternoon by the report that Michael [Kalahar] had been shot and killed by John Marshall, at the saloon of the latter. People collected rapidly at the scene of the tragedy and the utmost excitement and consternation prevailed. As the particulars of the dreadful occurrence became known, a sentiment of deep indignation against the perpetrator was manifested and he felt the keenest apprehensions of immediate retribution. He was, however, taken in charge by the authorities and brought before Levi Higgins, esq. for examination, where he promptly pleaded guilty to the shooting and was at once conveyed to this place and lodged in jail. An inquest was also held on the body by Esquire Higgins and the particulars elicited as reported to us by Dr. Craig were substantially these: John Marshall was the keeper of a saloon in Orion, having removed there from Coal Valley, as was understood but a day or two previous. Michael [Kalahar] had been to Marshall's saloon and had some whisky and started for home. He returned, however, for more which was refused and he was ejected from the premises and the door locked. He then made an assult upon the door which proving too strong for his efforts, he attacked the window with his fist. Marshall thereupon seized a revolver as though to shoot but those inside with him of whom there were several warned him not to shoot and he desisted for a moment. But [Kalahar] then raised his boot and smashed in the sash from the outside when Marshall raised the pistol and fired. The ball entered [Kalahar's] face just below the eye and passed into the brain, killing him instantly. He fell backward without a struggle, dead. Marshall at once fled to his room in the Thompson House, where he was taken into custody. The murdered man leaves a wife and nine small children, the oldest of whom is said to be not much over thirteen years of age. We say murdered, for though the law may not make the killing of a fellow man under such circumstances really a murder it is a murder in a moral point of view because the killing was needless and because whatever excuse may be urged for it, was the result of the maddening liquor sold to the victim by the perpetrator himself. We believe in holding the drinker and seller alike responsible for all of the mischief that may result from the business; and we rejoice that the new temperance law that has been enacted in this state includes the seller in that responsibility - and not only him but all who suffer their property to be used for such purposes. The man Marshall will lie in jail to await the action of the grand jury at the February term of the Circuit Court. * * * * Michael is buried in Calvary Cemetery, 2901 12th Street in Rock Island, Illinois (Lot 33, Block 2, Section SW). The tombstone inscription, which is very difficult to make out, reads: MICHAEL KALAHAR Died Jan. 9, 1872 [note: incorrect, should read Jan. 20, 1872] Aged 42 yrs. 8 mo. 2 d. MARY - wife of Michael Died Nov. 22, 1904 [note: the death certificate reads Nov. 23] Children of M. & M. Kalahar JAMES aged 2 yrs. DANIEL aged 1 yr. MARY aged 1 yr. 6 mo. [note: the children's names are inscribed on the back side of the stone. Delia Waters Kalahar, first wife of Michael and Mary's son Timothy, is also buried in the family plot - although her name does not appear on the stone. Her daughter, Florence Marie Kalahar Conway of San Francisco, California, told me this in a letter.] * * * * THE PRAIRIE CHIEF NEWSPAPER, Cambridge, Illinois (26 January 1872) . . . Orion. On Saturday last the good citizens of Orion were startled by the report that a murder had been committed in their midst, that John Marshall had shot and killed Michael [Kalahar]. It seems that [Kalahar] had been drinking at Marshall's saloon, he was turned out and the door locked. At this time he began to kick at the door and try to break in. Finally he went to the window and broke in the sash, at which [time] Marshall shot him, and he expired almost immediately. Marshall gave himself up and is now in jail at Cambridge. On Monday evening 22d inst., the Baptist Church in Orion was filled with earnest men and women, thoroughly aroused by the murder at one of the saloons on Saturday last. M.B. Lloyd was chosen chairman and W. W. Warner secretary. A committee of ten was selected to draft resolutions. Their report was discussed by Rev. P. Warner,Rev. C. T. Emerson, O. T. Blackfan, Wm. Jordan, M. B. Lloyd, D.L. Keleher, John Jordon, W. W. Warner, and others, and adopted as follows: Resolved, that we the citizens of Orion and vicinity, solemnly pledge ourselves to abate the nuisance of liquor selling in Orion and to this end we appoint the following committee: (Here follow the names of sixty of the principle citizens). Resolved that we request said committee to forthwith notify all saloon keepers in Orion to immediately close selling intoxicating liquors. Also to notify the druggists in Orion to sell such liquors to only physician's prescriptions. Resolved that if intoxicating liquors continue to be sold or disposed of in any manner as a beverage in Orion after such notice is given we authorize said committee to stop said sale in any manner they deem most expedient and call on us who subscribe our names to these resolutions for such aid as they may need in money or otherwise. An opportunity was then given for signatures to the resolutions, when two hundred promptly wrote their names to them. The notice to quit was ordered to be given the next morning at 10:00. After that the business of those who rob men of their money, of their minds and their lives, who rob children of their bread, their clothes and their education, and who rob wives of their husbands, their homes and all that makes life desireable will cease in Orion. The meeting adjourned to meet in the M. E. church next Monday evening. # # # # THE PRAIRIE CHIEF NEWSPAPER, Cambridge, Illinois, 9 February 1872. . . Orion. We received a call last Saturday from Mr. [D. L.] Keleher of Orion, who desired us to correct a misapprehension that existed in the minds of some, as to the circumstances of Mrs. [Kalahar] the widow the man who was killed at Orion recently. He stated to us that she was in destitute circumstances having eight young children to provide for and with no means whatever. The people met and appointed a committee of relief for the destitute family. Mr. Keleher being a member of the committee and something over a hundred dollars in charitable contributions have been received. The committee appointed by the first meeting to take steps for the suppression of the liquor traffic in Orion, reported to the adjourned meeting that they had notified all of the saloons and stores where liquors were sold and all except one had closed and shipped off their stocks. # # # # Listed in the 1870 Taxpayers Rolls for Henry County, Illinois as M. Kellegher. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. 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