JoDaviess County IL Archives News.....Murder and Suicide at Galena December 7, 1848
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com August 25, 2007, 5:26 am

The Sentinel [NH] December 7, 1848
A Mr. Morris one of the proprietors of an extensive foundry in Galena, 
Illinois, had become considerably involved, and his creditors (some half a 
dozen in dumber[sic], among whom was a Mr. Harris, his brother-in-law) had 
obtained a mortgage upon his property, and were about to push him, which so 
exasperated him that he determined upon their death, and his own subsequent 
destruction; and to this end, as appears by letters left in his trunk, he 
procured pistols and waited an opportunity when he could get as many of them 
together as possible to accomplish his murderous design. An opportunity 
offering on Saturday last, when Mr Harris was passing the foundry, Morris 
called to him, and as he approached, drew a revolver and shot him dead on the 
sidewalk, then rushed into the foundry and shot a Mr Ross, who was engaged at 
work, the ball taking eflect in the back part of the head, and producing a 
mortal wound. The lives of several other persons were attempted, but without 
success. Morris then fled to his house and took refuge in a garret, and drew 
up the ladd after him to prevent being taken by the crowd that followed. He 
was requested to give himself up, was promised protection from the crowd, but 
he obstinately refused, telling them that he could take care of himself. Soon 
after, the report of a pistol was heard, and on entering the room the 
murderer's lifeless body, with the brains blown out, was lying stretched upon 
the floor. The citizens generally were much excited, and had he been taken 
alive he would no doubt have been publicly and summarily executed. His body 
was thrown into an old box, without changing his apparel, and thus interred. - 
St. Louis New Era, 18th.

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