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Note: Henry Killian, a farmer of Liberty Township, Bollinger County, Missouri, was born in Tennessee in 1830. He is a son of Andrew Killian, who was born in North Carolina. The latter removed from his native state to Tennessee, where he married Pennina Lashater, a native of East Tennessee. After his marriage Mr. Killian settled on a farm in Tennessee, residing there until his death in 1834. He and wife were the parents of ten children. After her husband's death, Mrs. Killian removed with her children to Graves County, Kentucky, and located on a farm, but in 1838 removed to a farm in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, on which she died in 1842. The subject of this sketch is the only surviving member of that large family. Having to assist his mother on the farm, he received but a limited education. In 1850 he married Margaret J. Sweezey, a native of St. Francois County, Missouri, born in 1831, but at the time of her marriage, a resident of Bollinger County. After his marriage Mr. Killian settled on a farm in Bollinger County. In 1855 he entered forty acres of land, to which he has added other land until he owned 900 acres of improved land. He has given each of his children a good farm, and has left 400 acres, upon which are good improvements. To him and wife have been born ten children, viz.: John M., Emanuel, Lucretia (Mrs. Henry Bidewell), Catherine (Mrs. Jacob Eldridge), Adaline (Mrs. Madison Crites), William H., Minerva J. (wife of Richard Rowe), Clara B. (wife of Henry Schell), Thomas B., and James A. Politically Mr. Killian is a Republican, and was a Union man during the Civil War.--History of Southeast Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing County, Chicago, Illinois, 1888
The story taken from Old Bollinger - A collection of historical articles taken from the pages of The Banner-Press, Bollinger County's weekly newspaper, and published in celebration of the bicentennial of the American Revolution: Pierce kills Killian Thursday morning about eleven o'clock the citizens of Marble Hill and the people who had come out to the election were surprised to see Taylor Pierce and his son, George, ride into town at a rapid pace, Taylor carrying a double-barreled shot gun and his son a Winchester rifle. On reaching the courthouse Pierce calmly and coolly announced that he and his son had killed Henry Killian and had come to town to give themselves up to the proper authorities. He claimed that they had met Killian and shot him in self-defense. Pierce says that Killian had, previous to the meeting on July the 28th, threatened to kill him. Pierce and his son were put under guard and Coroner Louis Mayer was notified, and he was soon on his way to the scene of the bloody tragedy for the purpose of holding an inquest over the body of Killian. On reaching the place of the killing, near Henry Bollinger's, about ten miles south of here, he found that the body had been moved to his (Killian's) house. The inquest was proceeded with regularly (regularity), and Henry Bollinger, J.E. Baker, John B. Harris, and B.J. Corey were sworn and examined. We print below the testimony of Henry Bollinger and B.J. Corey, and will allow the reader to draw his own conclusion. 'I had been plowing the morning of the 28th of July; went up to the house, saw Mr. Baker drive up, we sat a few minutes and Mr. Harris came, in a few minutes we saw Taylor Pierce and son, George, come up with guns. This was about 8 o'clock a.m. Taylor had a double-barreled shot gun and Geo. had a Winchester rifle. They came to the fence, spoke to us, set their guns against the fence. I looked across the field and said, 'there comes someone else;' some one of us said, 'it is Mr. Killian.' Taylor Pierce turned and said to his son, 'come,' and they started in the direction of Mr. Killian, walking fast. They went on until within about 25 steps of Henry Killian, when Taylor Pierce said: 'Hy! Are you going to the election? In a moment I heard the crack of a gun and saw Mr. Killian fall. As he fell Mr. Taylor Pierce said, 'pour it to him,' several times, and I heard several rifle shots follow in quick succession. Then they both, (Pierce and his son) hurried and came back to our house. They were about three hundred yards from me when the shooting was done. Pierce said, 'Boys, I have killed him it is no secret, I want you to go down and care for him.' He then told his son to go down and tell Robt. Harris and son to come up, and if you meet Tom Killian or any of the rest and they make any attempts, give them the same. He (Taylor) then left for a time. Geo. came back and asked for his father, and went for him. They soon came back the second. Taylor said to tell "Manuel Killian he had nothing against him and to keep cool, and said 'Billie Killian went up the road this morning. Geo., we must be pulling.' When I went to the body he was dead. This was about half an hour after the shooting. The body was lying on his back against the fence.'--Henry Bollinger The testimony of J.B. Harris and J.E. Baker is materially the same as above. B. J. Corey, of Bollinger County, Wayne Township, being sworn, testifies as follows: About 8 or 9 o'clock word came to the mill that Mr. Killian was killed. We all went over and when I got there I asked if any one had touched the body. They said no. I stepped forward, raised him up and saw no weapons. I felt of his pockets and felt nothing. He was lying on his right side. He carried a hickory cane which was lying under him. His head was lying in the lap of the fence. We decided to bring him home. We placed him in a wagon and I came with him home. We brought him in the house and examined the body and found in his pockets two pocket books, a pocket knife, a small bag of cartridges, and an open iron ring called a lap ring.--B.J. Corey The verdict of the Coroner's jury was that Henry Killian came to his death at the hands of Taylor Pierce and son, George. Killian was wounded in at least six different places, five of which were evidently made by rifle balls. The tragedy is the outgrowth of a grudge which has existed for years, and which, it seemed, could only be satisfied by blood shed. It was no surprise to those who were acquainted with the men and circumstances." - Marble Hill Press, July 28, 1892 Pierce found not guilty We the jury find the defendant not guilty. 'So say you all gentlemen?' A dignified nod of twelve heads, and the great Pierce murder trial was ended. That was the scene that several hundred people witnessed with absorbing interest in the circuit court room in Marble Hill at 4:30 o'clock last Saturday afternoon. When Circuit Clerk Henry M. Smith was handed the verdict, as it came through Sheriff Wells from the foreman, everyone stood with bated breath awaiting the result of what has been perhaps the most interesting murder trial ever heard in this county. The defendant sat with bowed head and downcast eyes. He moved his hands about nervously. His attorney, Hon. Moses Whybark, stood beside him, vigorously chewing the end of an unlighted cigar, and listening eagerly for what was to come. The clerk hesitated a moment and then read in a clear tone the verdict. No sooner had the words escaped his lips and been verbally indorsed by the jury than excitement reigned supreme. The prisoner nervously pounded the table a few times and jumping to his feet with tears streaming down his cheeks he began shaking hands with the friends who crowded about to congratulate him. His counsel came in for a good share of the congratulation and as he continued to chew the end of his yet unlighted cigar, he looked the picture of happiness, and he had reason to, for he had won, with the assistance of Attorneys Smith and Morgan a great case. The evidence was all in Friday evening and at 7 o'clock Saturday morning the argument began. Many ladies were present during the morning." The argument was masterly. Every speech was a telling blow in favor of its side of the case. Prosecuting Attorney Caldwell surprised himself as well as the people by his brilliant effort. It was indeed an able speech. At 11:30 the jury was sent out. They returned to report the verdict at 4:30. When it was announced on the street that the jury had returned to the room, a mad rush was made, and in a few minutes the room was crowded almost to suffocation. Judge Shackleford called order for the verdict. The Trial At the March term of circuit court, Judge Fox continued the Pierce case to a special term of court to be held June 5. It was impossible for him to be here, however, and Judge D.W. Shackleford of Boonville was invited to try the case. Court was Monday afternoon and the sheriff instructed to find 100 men from which to select a jury. All day Tuesday and until about 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon were consumed in getting a jury. The following jury, almost entirely from places north of here was selected: G. H. Robinson, foreman; W. N. Nanney, M. F. Chostner, N. D. Cook, J.M Sitzes, A. F. Dockins, A. L. Whitener, J. H. Cheek, J. P. Limbaugh, David Brown, C. C. Limbaugh and Jefferson Limbaugh. The attorneys and the people generally expressed the opinion that it was perhaps, altogether the best jury that ever sat in a case of this kind in the county. Judge Shackleford has great deal of business about him when on the bench. Th. examination of witnesses, about 60 altogether, was finished Friday afternoon at 4 o'clock. The lawyers were granted one hour each for their argument on Saturday morning. The evidence was taken in short hand, but the PRESS has been unable to get it in shape for publication. It is substantially tie same as was printed in these columns when the inquest and the preliminary examination was held. The history of the case is well known to almost every person in the county and our space will not permit a reprint of it Judge Shackleford left Saturday afternoon for Glen Allen, from which place he went to St. Louis, and thence to his home at Boonville, Missouri Mr. Pierce left on the south bound train Sunday for Scott county on business. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Laflin and also a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. And thus the great case in which Taylor Pierce was charged with killing Henry Killian it closed. The editor has no opinion to express in the matter. - Marble Hill Press, June 15, 1893 Pierce himself is killed Sunday morning last Z.T. Pierce, better known as Taylor Pierce, was shot by his brother-in-law, Sanford Harris, and died a few hours later. The shooting was the culmination of a family feud. Pierce's wife, who is the sister of Harris, had left her home and gone to her father's, taking their children with her. Sunday morning Pierce went to Harris' and took the child in his arms and started home with it. As he reached the gate young Harris shot him with a Winchester rifle, the ball severing the spinal cord. Coroner McAnally summoned a jury composed of F.G. Lambert, W.S. Davault, John M. Johnson, William Bailey, Neely Murphy, and John Winchester, who returned a verdict in accordance with the facts given above. Sanford Harris, principal and Robert Harris the father, and Mrs. Pierce, as accessories, are under arrest and having their preliminary trial as we go to press. Taylor Pierce, it will be remembered, three years ago shot and killed Henry Killian and, now he has gone the same route. This is the irony of fate." - Marble Hill Press, July 18, 1895
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