| Cassville Democrat May 4, 1907 |
| An Unfortunate Affair |
| Gabe Potts who resides in Ash township and wife were sitting on the porch of their residence on Friday, April 26th, 1907, when Gabe got up and drew his pistol, and Mrs. Potts started to run, when her husband shot her in the back, the ball passing through her body, coming out on right breast. She continued running and went to the home of her sister-in-law, Mrs. Alice Potts, who resides one quarter of a mile away. It is reported that Gabe followed her a short distance, and then returned to his home and went near a hog pen, where he shot himself in the breast, the ball ranging around inside of his body, without inflecting a dangerous wound. Mrs. Pott's wound is a dangerous one, but it was thought now, with proper attention she will recover. Various causes are given for the shooting. One is that Potts is crazy, and it has been the talk of neighbors for some time, that he is losing his mind. It is reported that he recently made a will, conveying his property. It is also reported they, Mr. and Mrs. Potts, had made deeds, transferring their property to parties to whom they had sold. Two deeds had been sent to Recorder Bailey to be recorded, and then both of them wrote letters to the Recorder, to return the deeds, without recording, which he did. In September 1906, Potts' first wife died and in a short time he commenced paying attention to Miss Maud Fisk, a young lady school teacher, who was teaching at the Potts school house. She resigned her school and they were married in about three months after his first wife died. It is also reported that they had not been getting along very well, and on the day of the shooting had quarreled. Potts is under arrest and is being guarded at home, and now expresses regret at shooting at his wife. Gabe Potts is a son of the late Warren Potts, a well known citizen of that section during life. After the shooting, Potts hid or threw away the pistol and it had not been found at last account. Potts is about 34 years old, and his wife is younger. Later: Constable D. H. Whitner of Sugar creek township and Sam Bryson brought Potts to Cassville, Thursday, and turned him over to Sheriff O'Dwyer, Potts having almost recovered from his self-inflected wound. T. J. Potts, a brother of Gabe Potts, from Hillsboro, Texas accompanied them to this city and is looking after his brother's interest. E. C. Frost, attorney, for Potts, immediately instituted proceedings before Probate Jude Durnil? for an inquisition as to the sanity of Potts and Prosecuting Attorney Sater? came down from Monett yesterday (Friday) and at the time of going to press the matter was being argued by the attorney. Mrs. Warren Potts, the aged mother of Gabe Potts, together with many other witnesses, came in Friday morning to testify in the inquisition as to Potts sanity. The reports as to the condition of Mrs. Gabe Potts, who was shot, are conflicting. Some say that she is improving and that her chances for recovery are good, while others say she is in critical condition and in all probability will die. The switch board for the telephone company is out for repairs at Seligman and it has been impossible for us to get in communication with the physician who is treating Mrs. Potts, and we do not know which of the above reports are true. T. J. Potts of Hillsboro, Texas, a brother of Gabe Potts, arrived at Seligman, Monday. He very much regrets the sad affair that happened on April 26 and thinks if he had known of his brother's condition he could have prevented the shooting. He will remain until after the court has determined whether Gabe Potts is insane. Research Notes: Listed in the Cassville Republican Mar 1893, Gabe Potts was appointed constable of Ash Twp. Vice Henry Williams moved out of township. County Court Proceedings. Alice Potts was Alice Tennessee Banks, daughter of Lot and Elizabeth Ann (Woodard) Banks. She was married to William F. Potts. |
| State Historical Society of MO Microfilm |
| Donna Cooper |
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