An account of the shooting of Wes Robertson

Wes. L. Robertson, of Gallatin Democrat, Fatally Wounded in His Office Tuesday Afternoon by Hugh ‘ Y. Tarwater, City Clerk.

LIVED THREE HOURS

Tragedy Follows Libel Suit in Which Democrat Editor Was Defendant -Slayer Taken to St. Joseph — Few Words Between Men Before Fatal Shots.

Wesley I. Robertson, senior editor of the Gallatin Democrat, and widely known and esteemed Northwest Missouri newspaper publisher, was shot down and fatally wounded in the Democrat office about 4 o’clock. Tuesday afternoon by Hugh Y. Tarwater, city clerk. A 32 caliber gun was used, and three bullets struck Mr. Robertson, one going through the right lung ranging downward, and coming out in the small of the back, another just below the right shoulder blade, and the third through the third finger of the left hand. Mr. Robertson died at 7:15 o’clock. No tragedy in years has shocked and stirred the community more than this sad affair, and is deeply deplored.

The shooting is a result of differences of extended standing. The Democrat is defendant in a libel suit, the result of publishing an article in the paper last spring, charging Mr. Tarwater with drunkenness. Following publication of the article, Mr. Tarwater sued the Democrat publishers for $20,000, alleging his character and good name had been damaged to that extent. The case was called at the October term of the Davies county circuit court, but was continued by agreement to the February term. Tuesday night some important depositions were to have been taken in the case and it is said, Tarwater was giving much thought to the final results of the trial.

The facts, as we are able to ascertain, are as follows:

Mr. Robertson was at his desk in the Democrat office attending his usual routine of work. Henry Beck, of near Jameson, had just finished making a subscription payment to him and was leaving the office as Tarwater entered. In just a few brief minutes the fatal shots were fired. Mr. Beck had just time enough to go up the street, and had reached the Knauer store when attracted by crowds going to the Democrat office. R.J. Ball, postmaster and partner of Mr. Robertson in the Democrat, entered the office just as the shots were fired. He was coming to the office from the post office, and had passed Mr. Beck in front of the Hope Undertaking Store, two doors south of the Democrat office. As Mr. Ball passed the south window of the Democrat office, he saw Mr. Tarwater standing in front of the middle door which leads back to the press room. Just as Mr. Ball entered the front door of the office, we understand, the first two shots were fired. Mr. Ball made a rush for Tarwater, but the bullets from the weapon had struck Mr. Robertson. He fell just in front of the door, with his head toward the desk, north side of the office. Mr. Ball engaged in a scuffle with Tarwater in an effort to get the gun, and, it is said, the gun exploded while they were wrestling, the shot grazing Mr. Ball’s coat. Mr. Ball got hold of Tarwater’s hand which held the gun, and called for help to Arthur Daugherty, who works in the mechanical department of the Democrat, and who was in the back room. Daugherty rushed to his assistance and was followed by Fred Harrison, who correcting some proofs on the Democrat’s linotype machine. Efforts were made by the three to get the gun from Tarwater. He held to it until the arrival of Constable Ben Houghton, who took the gun from him, and placed him under arrest.

Mr. Ball refuses to make any other statement than that the killing of Mr. Robertson was just plain, cold blooded murder. Mr. Ball suffered greatly from the shock, had several bruises about the face and eyes, and was under the care of physicians Tuesday night.

Physicians were called as soon as possible, und Mr. Robertson was removed to his home. Shortly after arriving at home, he became rational, and made a dying and signed statement to L.B. Gillihan, prosecuting attorney. He was able to recite the facts which Mr. Gillihan put in writing, read to him and he signed same. The dying statement has not been made public. The gist of the statement, we are told by witnesses, is about as follows:

“Mr. Tarwater entered ‘the Democrat office, and told Mr. Robertson not to publish his name in his paper again. To this the Democrat editor replied that he would run the paper to suit himself. Thereupon Tarwater repeated his demand that his name not appear in the Democrat, and the shots then followed. Mr. Robertson stated that he was standing at the time he was shot.”

Prosecuting Attorney L.B. Gillihan, who is one of Tarwater’s attorneys in the libel suit, will disqualify as prosecutor. Mr. Gillihan called Judge Arch B. Davis this morning requesting appointment of a special prosecutor and upon his selection, Mr. Gilliban will turn over all papers, including the dying statement.

Tarwater was taken in charge by Constable Houghton and turned over to Sheriff J. Atch Blair, who took Tarwater to St. Joseph where he was placed in jail. We are told that there was some little talk of violence on the part of the street crowds, and the sheriff took precaution by taking Tarwater out of town.

Tarwater made the following statement Tuesday night in St. Joseph:

“Let the people decide from the condition of Uncle Wes’ body, whether or that the shooting was in self defense. I did not intend to shoot anyone. I could have shot Ball as he came in from the back room, but I did not intend to shoot anyone.”

Further than this, Tarwater said he had absolutely nothing to say until he had consulted his attorneys.

A St. Joseph newspaperman here today, who interviewed Tarwater in St. Joseph last night said he was perfectly composed. He has a wife and a grown daughter and son.

Mr. Tarwater has been city clerk for the past four years. It is said of late, when mention was made of the libel suit, he showed extreme nervousness. Yesterday it is said he displayed marked animosity. It is also said that Tarwater in the last few weeks had made threats that some of the men in the town whom he disliked would come up town some day and not go home.

It is not likely a coroner’s inquest will be held.

The Democrat was very active in waging a war to clean up the town of bootleggers. It was during this crusade that the article appeared which referred to Mr. Tarwater, and charged him with drunkenness.

“Uncle Wes” Robertson was one of the prominent and pioneer newspaper publishers of Missouri, and universally admired and esteemed. His legion of friends, both at home and in the stale, heard of his tragic end with deep and profound regret. Few, if any men, had a more jovial and friendly disposition, and he carried a smile and a word of cheer for all. Uncle Wes Robertson will be sadly missed in this community. In all movements for the better living, whether in the church, fraternal order, business or home, found him always in the front rank, giving his very best to the cause. Mr. Robertson was 69 years of age.

For thirty years he has been editor and publisher of the Gallatin Democrat, and through his efforts has built up one of the strong weeklies of the state. Before coming to Gallatin, he published papers at Plattsburg, Bethany, Princeton and Unionville. Few country editors were better known over the state than “Uncle Wes” Robertson.

Mr. Robertson is survived by his wife, and two sons Bert Robertson, of Lexington Ky., and Gay Robertson, of Atlanta, Ga. The funeral will he held Friday afternoon at 2:30 from the Methodist church, of which he was long a faithful member. One son will arrive tomorrow morning and the other Friday morning.

The tragedy has cast a gloom over the entire community. For all concerned, it is one of the most deeply regretted affairs in the town’s or county’s history. — Gallatin North Missourian.

————-

The Gallatin Democrat, December 25, 1919, Page 1. via Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gallatin-democrat-wes-murder-scene/199625786/ : accessed June 15, 2026), clip page for Wes – Murder scene by user darryl_gpc54