John Willie Westmoland

Notes:

[Westmoreland.FTW] Man Arrested in Fatal Shooting (from News Paper Clipping) John W. Westmoland 24, of Near Matthews Victim of Gunshot. A preliminary hearing was waived Tuesday at New Madrid by Ray Webb, young resident of the Ellisville community, south of Matthews, who was arrested Saturday in connection with the fatal shooting of John W. Westmoland, 25 years old, also of the Ellisville community. A bond of $500 was fixed for Webb's appearance in the next term of the New Madrid circuit court. Westmoland, who was a cripple, and unmarried, was shot by an unseen assailant last Saturday afternoon while he was fishing on the bank of the east ditch, two miles north of LaForge. The shot entered the left side, penetrated the intestines, the spleen and liver. He was immediately rushed to a Cape Girardeau hospital where he died Monday after general peritonitis set IN. Confesses He Fired Rifle According to New Madrid Co officers, Webb confessed he fired a 22-calibre rifle on the bank of the ditch Saturday afternoon, but denied that he shot at Westmoland. He said that he was unaware that Westmoland was there. It is believed that the assailant failed to see Westmoland because of the very heavy growth of bushes in the location of the tragedy. Webb, an orphan, resided at the home of R. Lindsay, also of the Ellisville community. It is also reported by officers that Webb is under normal average intelligence. Funeral Services Held Funeral services were held for Westmoland at the residence of his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Lige Westmoland, on Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock. Rev. Griffie of Moorehouse, Baptist Minister, was in charge of the last rites. Rev. C. F. Transue, pastor of the Nazarene church of Sikeston, assisted. Interment was made in the Moore Cemetery near LaForge. The young man is survived by his parents, two brothers, J.L. and Truman Westmoland, and two sisters, Mrs. Fannie Dorway and Helen Westmoland.