Clark County Clipper, May 1, 1902.
A SHOOTING AT MEADE.
The Meade papers last week contained an account of another shooting at that
place but in this instance it was an innocent bystander who was shot. It seems
that Homer Lanam, with whom some of the people of this county have had
considerable trouble, and brother Jess have been bootlegging whiskey at Meade.
On Tuesday the 22nd, Homer "tanked up" and began talking loud, whereupon the
city marshall attempted to have him desist, but instead Homer drew his gun,
which the marshall grabbed and drawing his own gun began firing at Lanam, one
shot striking the latter just over the heart, but the range being too close the
ball lodged in a handkerchief in Lanam's pocket. Another shot struck Ed Kragh
who was standing up the street a short distance.
On the next day warrants were issued for both the Lanams, but after the sheriff
had arrested Jess he was unable to take his gun from him, whereupon a posse
headed by R. W. Griggs started toward the house in which the sheriff held the
prisoner, to take the gun from the latter. Jess then took a couple shots at
Griggs who returned the fire with a Winchester, cutting the door casing near
Lanam's head. Lanam then ran out and attempted to escape but the posse finally
surrounded him and took him in.
Now those Lanam boys have cost this part of the county about enough money, and
they have been advised to become better citizens and to behave themselves all of
which they seem to refuse to do, and it is gratifying to note that the citizens
of Meade are starting in to stop their outlawry.
It seems that everybody at Meade carry guns except the sheriff, and when it
comes that the sheriff can't disarm a prisoner it is about time for a change.
Contributed by ~Shirley Brier~ October 4, 2005.
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