Hancock County Historical Society
Carthage, IllinoisAE 1929
Page 42HENRY (KELLY) WAGLE
MURDERED AT COLCHESTERNotorious Bootlegger Shot to Death
Monday Night -- No Clue to
The MurdererHenry "Kelly" Wagle, 43, notorious bootlegger was murdered on the streets of Colchester about 9:15 o'clock Monday night. All kinds of rumors have been floating since the fatal shooting that ended the career of a man who had figured in a lot of scrapes in Colchester and community during the past few years.
There was no eye witness to the murder but the most authentic story is that Wagle was killed by an unknown man driving a blue or green Ford roadster, who fired three shots of buckshot into the neck and body of Wagle, inflicting thirty-six wounds.
Wagle was killed, a half block from the city hall, while on his way from Brent's restaurant to the Rundle garage. He fell on the sidewalk and died in less than five minutes or while he was being carried to a doctor's office.
Although executed with all the precision and efficiency of a Chicago gunmens' ambushing, the death plot almost struck a snag as the assassin started to get away. Twice he tramped the starter of the roadster and the motor failed to start. He tramped it again, and the motor fired but it spit and coughed, retarding his speed as he rounded the corner to circle the block.
The death car, which, it is believed, has trailed Wagle for days for an opportunity to slay him, drove east, the direction in which it was headed, for a distance of aproximately sixty feet turned south at the corner of the city hall and, after rounding the block sped eastward on the hard road. Here the trail was lost and no one knows where the car went or who the man is who killed Wagle.
Macomb officers were immediately notified of the murder and they hastened to Colchester, keeping on the look-out for the Ford roadster which evidently made a clean get-away after the shooting was done. No definite clues as to the identity of the murderer have been found today as we go to press but stories are running wild in regard to possible clues.
Mr. Wagle had a narrow escape several weeks ago when shots were fired at the car in which he was riding and he at once had a warrant sworn out for Jay Moon, of Colchester, whom he suspected as the two men have had trouble for a long time.
Thorough investigations are being worked out in regard to any suspects by officers in charge of the case, but the general opinion of the public is that the shooting was not done by anyone living in this part of the state, but rather by Chicago or Peoria gangsters.
"Kelly" Wagle was a widely known character throughout this part of the state and his end does not surprise those who knew him or knew of him. His wife and son survive, also and aged mother, and other relatives in Colchester.
Wagle Funeral
More than 1,000 people attended the funeral of Kelly Wagle, held at the M. E. church in Colchester yesterday afternoon and several dozen beautiful floral pieces were banked around the casket. Rev. E. L. Fahnestock conducted the services and the burial was in Mt. Auburn cemetery, Colchester.
Only once did Mr. Fahnestock refer to the murder, asserting that the death was doubly sad because of the tragic manner in which "Kelly" Wagle had met his death. He based the greater part of his sermon on the words of the prophet, Isaiah.
"Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day. A thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked."
The Gazette - News
Carthage, Illinois
Friday
April 12, 1929
Page 1
Column 2HOLD SERVICES
FOR T. H. WAGLE
AT COLCHESTERRev. E. L. Fahnestock
Officiates At
CeremonyColchester -- "Those in the know" rubbed elbows with ministers, bankers and church-going housewives this afternoon as one of the largest funeral corteges known in the history of Colchester wended its way to Mt. Auburn cemetery following services for Thomas Henry (Kelly) Wagle, one of the most picturesque characters in the history of McDonough county.
Wagle was shot down last Monday night on Macomb Street, in the heart of this city's business district, by an assassin who fired three charges of buckshot from a curtained Ford roadster, which disappeared to the north as Wagle fell dead between the south wall of the Frank Gahle garage and a sheet iron coal shed beside the building.
Night Watchman Reuben Tones, who was a block away when the shots were fired, lifted the dying man, although others reached the scene before him. The body was carried to the Fraternity building where Wagle was pronounced dead by Dr. H. B. Harrison, local physician.
Accused of high jacking by gangsters, once convicted of bootlegging, Wagle presented a complex character that baffled even his friends. He was staunch in his support of those whom he claimed as friends, was known to have driven ten miles through mud to take supplies and money to a family he knew to be in need, gave freely to the poor, yet offered no quarter to his enemies.
Two years ago when little Edna Bell Clark was slowly dying of strangulation after her windpipe had been pierced by glass in an automobile accident, Wagle grasped the child in his arms and lifted her into his automobile, and was speeding toward Macomb before witnesses realized what he was about. He made the six miles in six minutes and at the hospital in the county seat an operation was hurriedly performed which saved the child's life.
Edna Bell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Clark of this city, visited Wagle each Sunday while he was in jail in Macomb, bringing him ice cream.
To many youths of the city he has been a regular pal. He often said that it took two extra pair of trousers each year for his play -- this was marbles -- and Wagle always bought the marbles.
When Colchester High organized its first football team there was a feeling against the sport in the city. The team was organized but had no suits. It was Wagle who outfitted the boys when the majority of merchants refused to support the movement fearing the sentiment against it.
Two trucks were loaded with the flowers that were sent from Macomb to Colchester today. Restaurants of the city were barely able to care for the many visitors who came to attend the services.
Rev. E. L. Fahnestock preached the final services at the local Methodist church.
