Frank Steele, Western Union Manager, Shot Coworker in El Paso
Shortly before daylight on an April morning in 1890, Steele and Patterson argued in the telegraph office after a wire refused to work [1][2]. Patterson advanced on Steele, striking him, so Steele rushed to his desk, grabbed a revolver, and fired twice [1][2]. One bullet entered Patterson’s left shoulder; the other went into his mouth, and the last shot was expected to prove fatal [1][2]. Steele was immediately arrested and held under $5,000 bond to await the result of Patterson’s injuries [1][2].
Sources
- Frank Steele, the well-known manager of… (1890)Frank Steele, the well-known manager of the Western Union Telegraph company at El Paso, shot and fatally wounded Frank Patter- son, also an operator, the other night. The fight occurred in the telegraph office a…
- Silver City Enterprise — 1888-1890 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1890-04-11 (1890)Frank Steele, the well-known manager of the Western Union Telegraph company at El Paso, shot and fatally wounded Frank Patter- son, also an operator, the other night. The fight occurred in the telegraph offic…