THE EVENT OF HIRAM P. TALBOTT KILLING JASPER VANDEVER TO AVENGE STABBING OF JAMES C. TALBOTT AS RELATED IN THE NEWSPAPER ACCOUNT.
Microfilm borrowed from the Missouri State Historical Society
Washington County, Missouri
Washington County Journal - Potosi, Thursday, July 21, 1870
A DOUBLE TRAGEDY -- One man seriously cut, and another killed!
A horrible tragedy transpired at Coleman's Store, Liberty township, in this county, on Saturday last, resulting in the infliction of seven serious knife wounds upon one party, and the instantaneous killing, by a pistol shot, of another.
During Saturday afternoon a considerable crowd had assembled in the vicinity of Mr. Firmin Coleman's store, to participate in a shooting match. At about three o'clock, according to our information, many of the party having become intoxicated and boisterous, Jasper Vandever - a young man who had not heretofore borne a good character, -- made an assault (which we are assured was entirely unprovoked) upon the person of James Talbott, who had been engaged in the match.
That part of the affair not having been up to the present time made the subject of legal Investigation, we are unable to give the details. In the course of the difficulty, however, Vandever inflicted upon Talbott seven severe stabs with a large,ugly looking pocket knife.
The Injured man was placed on the porch of Mr. Coleman's store In a bleeding, fainting condition, and medical aid summoned. A little later In the afternoon Hiram Talbott, a younger brother of the victim of the first affray, returned to the neighborhood from a visit to the residence of his sister, on Black river. At the store of Mr. A. L. Edwards, about two miles from the scene of bloodshed he was first Informed of the affair, by a bystander. A young acquaintance, Marion Walser, according to the evidence adduced, then proposed to Hiram Talbott to go to the place where his brother was supposed to be lying in a dying condition, and kill Vandever.
The two rode off together to Coleman's store, one of them borrowing a pistol on the way and Walser carrying It, arrived upon the spot and in the immediate presence of the wounded man, another scene of blood was quickly enacted. Just after dismounting, Walser drew forth the pistol and handed it to young Talbott. Vandever was advancing upon the porch at the moment -It is stated by some with a show to attack another man who had In some way offended him. As young Talbott saw him advancing, he accosted him with a peremptory challenge, to which, however, Vandever did not seem to heed, at all. With his first attempt Talbott did not discharge his pistol - It snapping; Instantly re-cocking It he fired, and with but too deadly aim. With the report Vandever fell forward upon his face, and with a gasp or two expired.
Talbott, seeing the fearful result of his passion, threw down his pistol, mounted his horse, and hurriedly rode away. Walser followed soon after, and before the authorities could be apprised of the fact the two made good their escape under cover of night. A subsequent examination of the body of Vandever discovered that the pistol ball had entered the right side, and passing through is heart, come out upon the left. The weapon used was a clumsy, single-barreled pistol, made from the breech of a common rifle barrel, very plainly mounted and about 44 calibre. In Vandevere's pocket was found the knife with which he cut Talbott, and projecting from his boot leg an Iron poker, both of which, together with the pistol, are now in the possession of Sheriff Breckenridge. Beside the stabs received by James Talbott, in his encounter with Vandever, the latter bruised him severely In the breast by repeated blows with a rock. He has, however, so far recovered from his injuries as to have been removed to his home, and is now reported In a fair way for recovery.
Of the slain and his slayer, it is but just for us to repeat in this connection what we have heard Iterated and reiterated by their neighbors; that while Vandever was a vicious, dangerous man, especially under the Influence of Intoxicating liquors, as was very frequently the case, Talbott has been known as a peaceable and strictly temperate young man, easily Influenced, and of a very impulsive temperament.