Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2016 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Ludington Appeal November 3, 1898 A Muskegon dispatch under date of Oct. 31 says: Halloween celebration here tonight resulted in a murder, which has caused considerable excitement. LESLIE PARKER, aged 16 years, son of HIRAM PARKER of the Eighth ward, was shot and instantly killed about 10 o'clock tonight by MICHAEL BURNS, a man about 60 years old. BURNS lives on a small farm outside the city limits, and a crowd of boys, among whom was young PARKER, went to his place to have some sport. BURNS, suspecting the boys would visit him, wired down his wagon so they could not carry it away. He has an excitable temper, and when the boys appeared he fired a blank cartridge from his shotgun. The boys scattered, but soon realized the gun was not loaded and re- turned. BURNS after them this time with a snake whip and cut one severely about the face. This frightened the boys away again, but they returned for the third time when young PARKER went on the porch and made some taunting remarks to BURNS, who was inside. At this BURNS stepped out on the porch with his gun loaded and shot. He fired at PARKER, the charge taking effect in one of his eyes and penetrating the brain, causing almost instant death. BURNS immediately telephoned Sheriff NEUMEISTER, telling him what he had done, and a deputy soon took him to jail, where he was locked up for the night. ===========================================================================