The October 19th, 1905 issue of the Worth County Times reprinted this account of a shooting that took place at the Blockton Train Depot that was printed in the Blockton News.
James Henderickson of Blockton Shoots John F. Woodside of Maloy at Depot Last Evening for Alleged Intimacy with Wife.
Last evening, about the time No. 2 was due, James M. Hendrickson, of this place, shot John F. Woodside, of Maloy, at the depot. A number were on the platform at the time and in close proximity to where the trouble occurred.
It appears that Woodside had come down from Maloy on the local, due here at 3:45, but late yesterday, and intended to go back on No. 2 and was at the station for that purpose when Hendrickson, learning of his presence in town, procured a revolver and went to the depot where he saw Woodside leaning against the south door post of the freight room, the door being open, and without uttering a word, he drew the revolver from under his coat beneath his left arm and placing the muzzle of it almost against Woodside’s abdomen, fired.
At the first shot, Woodside closed in on him and a second shot went through the transom over the freight house door while a third went towards the ground when Woodside took the run from him and it fell to the ground.
A fist fight of the fiercest kind them commences, which ended by the belligerents being parted by the local freight drew, Woodside seeming to have gotten the worst of it. Woodside was immediately taken to Dr. A.E. King’s office where an examination was made. A bullet wound was a little to the right in front, at the pit of the stomach, the bullet seeming to have passed between the outer and inner abdominal wall and lodging near the back, through its course could not positively be determined, making a dangerous and probably a fatal wound.
He was taken to Ensworth Hospital, St. Joseph, on No. 9 at 1:54 this morning, He suffered much during the evening and was still suffering greatly when gotten on the train. Dr. King went with him to St. Joseph.
Hendrickson hunted up an officer and gave himself up at once and was taken charge of by Constable John Goldizen. This morning, the county attorney came over and McCoun & Wisdom appeared for Hendrickson, who waved a preliminary examination and was placed under a $1,000 bond. The proceedings were held before Mayor Watson.
The trouble which led up to the shooting is a long story, and is well known to many who cared to observe actions. Mr. Hendrickson alleges that Woodside alienated his wife’s affections; that he frequently visited her while he was absent, and that too close an intimacy existed between them dating back many months ago. Mr. & Mrs. Hendrickson are now separated, she being with her son at Lamar (CO).
The separation took place three or four weeks ago. Both of them have been married before and both have children by their former companions. His children are all grown to man and womanhood; also, her children, except a daughter who is near nine years old. Mrs. Hendrickson is about 42 years old.
Mr. Hendrickson is a veteran of the Civil War, is well preserved, a carpenter by trade, and bears the reputation of being an honorable, upright, peaceable, industrious citizen. He owns a cozy little home in the south side.
Mr. Woodside is an old resident of the vicinity of Maloy. He has been a widower near two years and is well to do. He bears the reputation of being a good neighbor and honest in his dealings. He recently returned from Colorado, where he invested in a beet farm. He expected to go there, leaving his property here with his son-in-law, William Bye. He is nearly 40 years of age.
The sympathy of this community appears largely in favor of Hendrickson, who is now at liberty on the bond spoken of.
