KELTON, JOHN BURTON DR - Washington County, Arkansas | JOHN BURTON DR KELTON - Arkansas Gravestone Photos

John Burton Dr KELTON

Kelton (aka Winslow) Cemetery
Washington County,
Arkansas

John
January 19, 1849 - October 18, 1885

*Obituary
Fayetteville Democrat
Thursday, October 22, 1885

KELTON, John B. - On Sunday our community was startled by the information, by telegraph, that Dr. Kelton had been shot and instantly killed by his nephew, one Jo VanMeter. The first statement was that the killing was wholly justifiable. Under present advisement this does not appear to be entirely true and grave doubts are now entertained as to whether the killing was in any sense justifiable or even excusable. The coroner's jury returned a verdict that the deceased came to his death from a pistol shot and that said pistol was in the hands of Jo VanMeter. The slayer having made his escape and being still at large a warrant was issued for his arrest. We understand that the evidence before the coroner was conflicting. The statement of Jo Van Meter's wife and of one James Forest goes to show that Dr. Kelton went to the house of VanMeter on Sunday afternoon; that he {Kelton} was armed and considerably the worse for liquor; that Kelton swore that he would kill the whole family and that he snapped his pistol at Jo VanMeter and also at Mrs. VanMeter, but without any effect; that thereupon Jo VanMeter fired at Kelton, shooting him through the heart - but one shot being fired. Also, that after Kelton snapped his pistol at Van Meter he struck Forest with it - over the head - and then snapped it at Mrs. VanMeter. A little son of Dr. Kelton, some 12 years of age, was examined. He stated that his father was first knifed by Forest and then shot by VanMeter and that when VanMeter shot his father he was unarmed, having been disabled in his pistol arm - the left - by the knife thrust. This evidence is substantiated by the fact that Kelton's arm was but precisely as described, being a fact wholly unexplained by the evidence of Mrs. VanMeter or young Forest. A warrant has been issued for young Forest and the end is not yet. The friends of the deceased demand a full investigation, claiming that the facts will implicate both VanMeter and Forest. Further developments are awaited with anxiety. LATER: James Forest has been arrested and in default of bail has been committed to jail as a witness to await the action of the grand jury. His evidence will be awaited with interest as it is suspected that he may conclude to tell a some what different story than the one told by him before the coroner and especially as to the cutting done before the shooting, as told by another witness.

*Obituary
Fayetteville Democrat
Thursday, November 5, 1885

Dr. Kelton was born in Greene county, Missouri January 19th, 1849. When he was two years old his parents moved to Douglas county, Mo. where the deceased resided until 1878 - except for about one year, during which time he was in the U.S. Army. Deceased enlisted as a private in one of the Mis-souri regiments and was mustered out of the service at the close of the war. In 1866 Dr. Kelton was married in Douglas county, Mo., his wife surviving him. In 1878 he moved to Washington county, Ark., settling at Winslow where he continued the practice of medicine. The Doctor also owned a store - handling general merchandise, at Winslow. For several years past his attention has been devoted exclusively to his mercantile interests. Deceased was a member of the Masonic Fraternity at the time of his death but had only taken two degrees. The Doctor was a man of influence and standing in the community and his untimely and violent death is greatly to be deplored. He leaves a wife and six children.

Milinda
November 30, 1847 - January 2, 1934

Contributed on 11/8/13 by judyfrog
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Record #: 946380

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Submitted: 11/8/13 • Approved: 11/10/13 • Last Updated: 11/14/13 • R946380-G946380-S3

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