History's Backstory: Murder in the Courthouse

A few weeks ago, the Historical Society uncovered a news story from July of 1899, that ran in the Looking Back section of this paper, concerning the conviction and sentencing of murderer R.D. Keesee. The backstory of what led up to the conviction is a tale worth telling. Monday, the 7th of November, 1898, was the day before the election in Missouri. A lot of excitement was generated with hotly contested congressional midterms and many county offices down the ballot. The dome area of the Webster County Courthouse was packed with people electioneering and preparing for tomorrow’s vote. A man suddenly pushed through the crowd and confronted David H. Shelby who was standing against the wall talking with some friends. That man, Richard D. Keesee, had held a grudge against Shelby for some time and had swore repeatedly he’d kill him. Witnesses testified that Keesee came out of the crowd and attacked, prompting Shelby to deliver a returning blow. Keesee was knocked to the ground and began to curse Shelby. He then got up, drew his revolver and fired, the ball taking effect on the right side of the neck and producing almost instant death. Sheriff Hailey, being nearby, immediately disarmed and arrested the bloodthirsty Keesee whom he lodged in the county jail. Drs. Florence and Highfill were also in the crowd but could offer no assistance as Shelby died immediately after being set up. The motive is somewhat in dispute; some claim it stemmed from a disagreement in church, while others said it was political. The two men were markedly different. Shelby was a far more successful farmer and enjoyed a higher station in the community than Keesee, a ne'er-do-well who had been thrown off his place, abandoned his several children (it was rumored he murdered them until they were found living in Kansas), and had been convicted of petty crimes notably carrying concealed weapons.