Forum Flashbacks: Aug. 8-14
MARYVILLE DAILY FORUM, AUG. 8, 1974
50 YEARS AGO: SMILES! – These days, that seems like a pretty tall order to fill, considering the drought, inflation and uncertainty in Washington. But if one looks on the bright side, as encouraged by observers of National Smile Week, which ends Saturday, lots of reasons pop into one’s mind: anticipating the end of summer school at Northwest State University Friday; taking a vacation and getting up early in the morning to drive all day; sitting under a shade tree and talking with friends; watching the clouds and finally seeing the rain arrive to cool sun-parched crops and fill deep cracks in the ground; watching a group of children at play; counting the days until school starts again. Smiles are a way of expressing that you are having fun, enjoying yourself. When someone else gives you one, it makes you feel better; smiles are to share. Sharing their smile here (is) Jean Jones, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Jones, Maryville.
100 years ago
Maryville Daily Democrat-Forum, Aug. 14, 1924
17-YEAR-OLD BOY TAKEN FOR ROBBER SHOT AT CONCEPTION
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Eulas Jerntgan, 17-year-old high school boy of Ector, Texas, was shot and almost instantly killed about 12:30 o’clock last night in the Great Western yards at Conception Junction by Chris From, deputy marshal, who suspected the boy as being one of the robbers that held up the Fred Dodd general store at Bedison about 9:20 o’clock last night.
Came From Talmage, Iowa
Jerntgan, in company with his step-father, S. D. Surber, had been in Talmage, Iowa working with a bridge gang and were en route to their home in Texas. They had “bummed” their way into Conception on a freight train to save money and were waiting for another train. Jerntgan had $24.82 in his pockets and some letters from his girl and his mother. The two had been gone from home about three and one half weeks.
Mr. Surber is 33 years old, is short in stature, tanned, and has the appearance of a hard working laborer. He wore a pair of blue trousers, a light shirt with purple figures and a brown sweater coat.
Bedison Bandits Friendly
Two men, good sized, smooth-shaven, with dark clothes and khaki shirts, came up to the Bedison store about 9 o’clock last night, according to Mr. Dodd, sat around and visited for some little time with Mr. Dodd and Gene Hilsenbeck. One of the men said he wanted to buy a can of coffee and Mr. Dodd went in to get it for him while Hilsenbeck went to the back of the store to get a loaf of bread for the other fellow. The two men then quickly pulled guns, covered Dodd and Hilsenbeck, rifled the money drawer and made away with $90 in store money, $20 in government money belonging to the post office in the store, two pair of tan shoes, a green hat and some canned goods.
Officers Called
Dodd immediately called Sheriff Steve Roach of Maryville and Gabe Purcell, deputy at Conception Junction and the officers began a search for the robbers. Chas. Partridge, Barney Dougan, and Leo Atherton left Maryville in search of the robbers.
Mr. From said this morning that he and Gabe Purcell received word of the Bedison robbery about 9:30 o’clock last night and started out to look for the robbers.
Says Boy Grabbed Gun
“We went down in the Great Western yards,” said From. “When we saw two men behind a hand car shed. We commanded them to come out and to throw up their hands. We were about twenty feet from them when they came out. The boy started towards me and grabbed my gun with both hands. Then I fired with my sawed-off shotgun.”
The boy was shot in the stomach and died within an hour in the arms of his step-father, S. D. Surber, who was with him. More than fifteen shots were scattered within a foot radius, the inside of his right wrist was torn away and a part of his little finger and next finger were shot off on his left hand.
Manslaughter, Says Step-Father
Jerntgan’s mother and step-father own a farm near Ector, Texas. His step-father, who was with him was greatly grieved over the boy’s death and said this morning, “I count this nothing more than common manslaughter.” Neither of the two were armed. In Surber’s words he said:
“Two men commanded us to halt and throw up our hands which we did. But the boy in his excitement and scare let his hands drop and one of the men shot him. I held him in my arms and he was conscious until he died. I served during the World War and walked over battlefields of dead but never went through anything like I have since midnight last night.”
According to a telegram sent to the W. O. W., at Ector, Texas, this morning, Eulas Jerntgan was in good standing in the Woodmen of the World, having recently joined, and carried an insurance policy.
Young Jerntgan was a member of the Methodist Church, senior in high school and a member of the foot ball and base ball teams. He was dark-complexioned with dark hair, heavy-set weighing about 170 pounds and almost six foot in height. …
Was High School Athlete
Mr. Surber will leave with the body for home as soon as the inquest is held. Jerntgan is survived by his mother, his step-father, and two sisters, 9 and 15 years old. …
No Action Taken As Yet Against From
S. D. Surber, the step-father of the boy who was killed at Conception Junction last night, was in conference with Dr. O. L. Curl, prosecuting attorney, this morning. It was understood no action will be taken against From until the evidence is presented at the inquest and also will be based somewhat on the verdict of the coroner’s jury.
Surber said he would take the body to Ector, Tex., in the morning. He said he would talk to the boy’s mother and that their decision, so far as they are concerned, would be decided then.
There was considerable criticism of the action of From in killing the young boy. The opinion was expressed that a police officer having such an excitable mind, should not be permitted to have a gun. Many have said today that officers of the law should have that cool, matured judgment which is necessary to be a good officer. Others have expressed the opinion that it was not at all necessary for From to carry or use a sawed-off riot gun for such an occasion.
His High School Girl Will Wait in Vain
The following letter was found in young Jerntgan’s pocket. It is from Lillie Dooley, his high school girl sweetheart ….
My dearest Eulas:
Received your welcome letter about an hour ago. Certainly was glad to hear from you—makes me feel like I want to live a little longer, anyway.
Now Eulas dear, you must be careful or some of those “Easter Eggs” will capture you. Now then, what would I do! (Without, I suppose). …
Be careful and don’t work too hard because if you did your little Lillie might cry. “C.” I am being disturbed by the children here and can hardly write or think, so be sweet and good, and hurry and come home. Have lots of fun for me but don’t let the girls capture your heart for my sake.
As ever, your Lillie.
P. S. Please write often for I’m half crazy now I’m so lonesome.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The 50-year and 100-year flashbacks are courtesy of the Missouri Digital Newspaper Project from the State Historical Society of Missouri, accessible at shsmo.newspapers.com.
