James Kerr: Killed in a Drunken Row on the Mangus, 1891
The killing, described as one of the most brutal in Grant County, resulted from a drunken row at Peter Mungall’s ranch on the Mangus on Thursday night, April 23, 1891 [4]. James Kerr, his brother Barney Kerr, Peter Mungall, and Charles Campbell had been drinking whiskey all afternoon at Mungall’s house [3]. Campbell left for water and did not return; Mungall went out at dusk to find him and later recalled nothing until Campbell woke him, after which they lifted Jimmy into bed [3]. A coroner’s jury found that James Kerr came to his death by wounds inflicted by Barney Kerr with a hammer, shotgun, or crowbar [4]. The body was brought to town and interred on Saturday, but was disinterred for an autopsy on Sunday [4]. Barney Kerr was charged with murder and held without bail; Peter Mungall was discharged [5][1].
Sources
- Territory vs… (1891)Territory vs. Barney Kerr, charged with murder of his brother, Jimmy Kerr at the Man- gus last month, still on trial.
- On the 24th of April a horrible murder was… (1891)On the 24th of April a horrible murder was committed in the Mangus valley, in which Jimmie Kerr, a well-known prospector, was the victim, and his brother Barney Kerr, and one Peter Mungall, known as “Scotty,” w…
- Peter Mungall sworn… (1891)Peter Mungall sworn. We had been drink- ing whiskey all the afternoon at my house. I took whiskey up a couple of times. Some one suggested that we get more whiskey. Reached the house about 3 o’clock. I had whi…
- Silver City Enterprise — 1891 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1891-05-01 (1891)d blooded, brutal kill- ings that ever occurred in Grant county, if not in the territory, took place at Peter Mungall’s ranch on the Mangus, Thursday night last, the 23rd. The killing was the result of a d…
- Silver City Enterprise — 1891 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1891-05-01 (1891)been issued not to admit me. The shirt that Barney wore near the fire was bespattered with blood. Had no conversation with Mungall prior to the testimony before the coroner. He showed no blood upon his cl…