August 8, 1896
Wood River Times
T.E. Picotte, Publisher
William A Selden, an insurance solicitor who came here about a month ago, was fatally stabbed by George Hailey. He died at 8 o'clock this morning.
Hailey stabbed him thrice; once in the scapula, under the left shoulder blade, once in left side under the heart, and once in the center of the abdomen, about two inches below and to the left of the umbilical or navel. At least two of the wounds - the lower ones - were fatal, as they penetrated into the abdominal cavity.
The stabbing occurred in front of the postoffice, on the East Side of the street, and about eight feet out from the comer of the sidewalk. Drops of blood were visible there today, also on the sidewalk. Immediately on being stabbed Selden said: "I'm bleeding. Send for a doctor."
No one responding, he crossed the street diagonally into Charley Sherry's saloon and said:
"Charley, I'm cut I don't know how badly. Send for a doctor. George Hailey cut me. He asked me for $12.00 lowed him. I said I would pay him as soon as I could, and he began jabbing the knife into me. Then I struck back to defend myself I had no weapons of any kind."
Mr. Sherry laid Selden out on a stud poker table, to see where he was cut. Blood was rushing out from the three wounds and from a slash across the left cheek Selden was as sober as a man could be.
Dr. Stone soon came, examined the wounded man, sent for his associate, Dr. Tweedy, and ordered that Selden be put to bed. As it was dangerous to move him far, he was taken to the next house, on the northeast comer of River and Croy streets, and put to bed.
Charles Stewart, who was well acquainted with deceased, went to see him and remained with him until he died.
To Dr. Tweedy and others there Selden said: "Charley Stewart is the best friend I have in this town."
The physicians telling Selden that he could hardly live until morning, he did not flinch or lament, but began to think. After a while, he asked Charley Sherry to carry out his testamentary instructions - which Mr. Sherry did, on a sheet of note paper, as follows:
William A Selden.
$4000.00 policy in N. Y. Life deposited in Bank of Cal., San Francisco, on which I drew $900.00.
All of property. Mrs. Walter Watson, Richmond, VA Franklin and Forshen S1. sister .
Brother-in-law Charles S. Granshaw, Norfolk, VA.
Sister~ Mrs. J. H. Herbert, 87 Danville StNorfolk Va. Wants $250.00 left to Charles Reed, Hailey.
$100.00 to Miss Hawkins and Miss Stanley.
August 8 1896 Hailey kills Selden
$500.00 to Johnny Seymore~ Higgins' saloon partner~ for services rendered.
$100. To Wm. McCreary~ for services rendered.
$500. To C. J. Sheny to pay expenses of funeral and small debts in
Hailey. Signed: William A. Selde~ Charles Stewart, Tim Dawson, Edward Harris~ C. J. Sheny"
The above was jotted down hurriedly.
Selden also instructed Mr. Sherry to give him a Christian burial~ according to the ritual of the Episcopal Church, to notify his sisters above named and to act as his administration.
The deceased had 13 sisters, but no brother. He was a native of Virginia, single and 36 years of age.
WITNESSES TO THE STABBING.
J. J. Tracy~ Hugh Cramer and Ed Davey were crossing the street diagonally toward the post office~ from the west comer of Bullion and Main. They saw two men scufiling in the Street. As they reached the side~ they heard Selden say: "Please let me alone~ George. Please do."
C.H.Harvey who was brought out from his saloon by the noise said: "Let him alone, George. Let the man alone!"
Selden stepped on the w~ and said: "Somebody get a doctor I'm bleeding."
All present made themselves scarce. They believed it was only a drunken row~ and it was too dark to see who it was.
Probate Judge McFadden held an inquest today, the Coroner being sick abed. The jury was composed of Charles Birkin, Eugene Stowe, Aleck McKibbe, Leo Cramer, Gus Pezoldt, and P. Figgins.
The inquest began at nine o'clock and continued until two o'clock this afternoon, when the jury returned a verdict that deceased died August 5, 1896, from the effects of knife wounds inflicted upon him by George Hailey, willfully, unlawfully, maliciously, feloniously, and with intent to kill.
THE MURDERER.
George Hailey, the man who did the stabbing cannot be found. Three Sheriffs deputies are hunting him, and all railway stations are telegraphed. No horse is missing in town, so far as known, and his own horse is here. How he got away or where, is a problem.
