Death of William B. Shoemaker, Sheriff of Gentry County, Missouri >From "History of Gentry and Worth Counties", Crimes & Incidents, St. Joseph, Mo.: National Historical Company, 1882. ********************************************************************** We take the following from the Grand River News, of May 8, 1866: "It is our lot and sad duty as a public journalist to record this week one of the most mysterious and melancholy calamities which has ever befall- en our county. The sheriff of Gentry County, has, when alone and un- guarded and unobserved by friends or relatives, met with violent death from an unknown hand. The facts as gleaned from information are as follows: Mr. Shoemaker started from home about 10 o'clock a.m., going in a westerly direction, in search of some cattle, also, as we learn, expecting to go to Howe's Mill, previous to his return. He had been gone five and a half or possibly six hours, when his horse returned home riderless, and suspicions were at once aroused in his family that he had met with sudden death, or a fearful accident. Some of Mr. Shoe- maker's sons started out immediately in search of their father, but on their way were met by Colonel David Cranor, who was hurrying to town to bring the news that Mr. Shoemaker had been found dead. His body was first discovered on the road leading to Howe's Mill, about one hundred and fifty yards from Gale's Ford, on the east side of the East Fork of Grand River. As soon as this news was received, a company of men started from town and reached the fatal spot about 5 p.m. Mr. Shoe- maker was found lying dead, his revolver by his side, out of its scab- bard and the hammer down. The revolver was a six-shooter, and four loads were discharged when the weapon was found. His hat was on his head, in a natural position, and he must have fallen down, not from his horse, but after dismounting, and while stand upon the ground. His pocket book was found on the ground under him opened, and with only a few papers in it. It is supposed that he took some money away with him but not much, however, as it was his custom not to carry about much money. The ball had been fired from a revolver of the same size as of that belonging to the deceased, the ball weighing two scruples and nine grains, but had lost some weight in its passage. The ball entered the right side of the head, above the ear, passing through the temple bone, and lodging at or near the base of the brain. The shot evidently caused instant death. No other wound was perceivable and the body was not at all mutilated. The persons who went out first to see the body believe that Mr. Shoemaker had been dead about one hour or more when found. An inquest was held over the corpse at the court house. The verdict was deferred until Friday, May 1, when it was rendered, to wit: "That Mr. Shoemaker came to his death by an unknown hand." This was the only verdict that could be rendered under the circumstances. The jury could not, with the present facts, make out a clear case of ass- assination or suicide. There are a few other evidences in the case, that would seem to prove that he was assassinated. Some statements say that Mr. Shoemaker was seen, or supposed to have been seen by citizens not far from where he was kelled, and not long after, another man was seen to ride away from that direction on the keen gallop, thus indicat- ing that the person last seen may have been the one who committed the deed. Horses tracks were found within ten feet of the body, but the measure of which orresponded with Mr. Shoemaker's horse. In regard to the idea of suicide, the facts are by no means convincing, and many false rumors have thereupon been predicated, to wit: that he was known to have anticipated suicide, and had made the fact known. These rumors are false and have no foundation, except from the supposition or the fertile brain of "busy people." Mr. Shoemaker had indeed experienced trouble a day or two previous, and although his official affairs will undergo investigation, it is scarcely probable that any present impen- ding misfortune could have impelled him to the act of deserting his wife and children and becoming a suicide. Time alone can develop these facts. Mr. Shoemaker was born in Iredell County, North Carolina, January 22, 1823, and moved to Wisconsin in 1847, and thence to Miss- ouri in 1857. He was appointed sheriff of Gentry County in 1862, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of George W. Birch. Mr. Shoemaker was elected in the succeeding November, and also two years afterward. His term of office was to expire this fall. From the commencement of the rebellion, Mr. Shoemaker had been identified with the Union Radical organization, and to him must be accorded a true Union heart, a strong will and powers capable of exercising a ruling influence, wherever he might reside. Mr. Shoemaker was the captain of a company of Union militia in 1861, during the six months' service, and he has always been a firm, unflinching Union man. His life, so we are told, has been repeatedly threatened, and his family have many times seen him leave home not expecting to see him return again alive." Sixteen years have passed since the above was recorded, and yet no additional light has come to reveal the manner in which Mr. Shoemaker came to his death. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joe Miller Penny Harrell ====================================================================