Isaac West

WAS VICTIM OF DASTARDLY ACT

ISAAC WEST, FORMER TAMA COUNTY MAN, SHOT TO DEATH THURSDAY

Was Performing His Duty as City Marshal in Gas City, Kansas ---

Funeral Held in Toledo Presbyterian Church Monday Afternoon

Isaac West, former Tama county man, father of Jesse C West and brother of Mrs. Paulina Whitely, both of Toledo, was instantly killed at Gas City, Kansas, last Thursday afternoon at about 5:15 O'clock, being the victim of a maliciously planned act.

West, who resided at Gas City many years and who had been city marshal for four years, in company with three councilmen were walking to the D. A. Prosser place in the northwest part of town to remove a wire which Prosser had placed over the sidewalk in front of his three room residence, and when the four were within thirty feet of the place Prosser stepped out and without a word of warning raised a gun and shot, the discharge entering West's abdomen just below the arch of the ribs on the left side. West fell forward on his hands and knees, rolled over and then rolled into a ditch nearby. He did not say anything and was not conscious. His death was caused from internal hemorrhage due to the gunshot wound cutting some of the large vessels. Marshal West did not have the slightest chance to defend himself.

It was declared by the Gas City officials that Prosser, by putting the wire over the sidewalk, was annexing an area which did not properly belong to him, and resulted in danger to anyone using the walk. There had been previous controversy over the wire, and the day before, West, working in front of the Prosser residence, had asked that the wire be removed. At that time, it is reported that Prosser drew a gun on West and ordered him away.

Prosser was arrested and placed in the county jail at Iola. The dastardly act stirred the citizens of Gas City and vicinity to such an extent that the Sheriff, fearing that Prosser would be mobbed, took his prisoner to another jail "somewhere in Kansas" for safe keeping. A coroner's jury found that "without cause D. A. Prosser deliberately, premeditatedly and maliciously fired the gun which caused West's death, and did so with the intention of killing him." The gun was a 410 shot gun. A first degree murder warrant has been issued and Prosser will be arraigned soon.

Funeral services were held at the West home in Gas City, Kansas, conducted by Rev. E. W. Spencer, pastor of the First Methodist church of Iola. The remains were then brought to Toledo, being accompanied by Mrs. West and the deceased's sister, Mrs. Whitely, we went to Gas City immediately upon receipt of the dispatch telling of her brother's death.

In Toledo funeral services were conducted from the Presbyterian church Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock by the pastor, Rev. W. J. Creswell. Music was furnished by a mixed quartet composed of Miss LuRee Ullom, Miss Mabel Lewis, L. G Bartlett and F. J. Kremenak, with Mrs. Howard Rogers playing the accompaniment. The casket bearers were J. B. Brown, J. N. Lichty, George Kuhner, W. S. Kuhner, J. C. Child and O. A. Mason. Interment was in Maple Wood cemetery in Otter Creek township.

Mrs. Rose Ruggies of Ames and W. H Donaldson of Colo were here to attend the funeral services.

Isaac West, the oldest child of Alexander W. And Catherine West was born near Andrew, Jackson county, Iowa May 30, 1859. At the time of his untimely death last Thursday, he had reached the age of 62 years 6 months and 15 days.

His mother died September 21, 1863, leaving him at the age of four years. His father, for many years a resident of Otter Creek township, died January 1, 1901.

Mr. West was married to Miss Hannah M. Stewart in Toledo, December 28, 1881. To this union was born four sons and one daughter as follows: Jesse C. West, Toledo; Mrs. John Hulse, Springfield, Missouri; Lee. R West, Chanute, Kansas; Charles C West, Iola, Kansas. Eleven grandchildren also survive as well as a sister, Mrs. Pauline Whitely, of this city.

Isaac West, when at the age of three years, moved with his parents onto a farm in Otter Creek township, this county, where he grew to manhood and resided until the fall of 1901, when the family moved to Lebanon, Missouri, later moving to Gas City Kansas, where he resided until his death.

Mr. West was an honest and upright citizen, and was highly respected. He always had a kind word and a smile for all.

22 Dec. 1921 Toledo Chronicle

Card of Thanks: May we in this way express our sincere appreciation of the many kind acts shown to us at the time of our recent bereavement, the loss of our beloved husband, father and brother, also for the beautiful floral tributes. Mrs. Isaac West and Children, and Mrs. Pauline Whitely.

Contributed by: Karon Howatt Mazie

You will find an article on the conviction of the killer in the Tama History pages.