Elgin, Union County, Oregon
Mayfield Murdered Monday Morning
Shot With Rifle While Asleep;
Coe Held On Open Charge
John Mayfield, a long time resident of the Elgin vicinity was murdered at an early hour Monday morning at the home of A.J. Coe, between Imbler and Cove. According to reports, Mr. Mayfield was killed with a rifle, the bullet entering his lower jaw, and going out near the top of his head. A J. Coe, at whose home Mr. Mayfield was staying, is being held on an open charge pending the coroner’s inquest, which was held Wednesday evening at 7:30 at Snodgrass & Zimmerman’s Undertaking parlors at La Grande. The decision has not been learned.
Sheriff Breshears could not make public the results of his investigations, until the inquest. It is generally understood that Mr. Mayfield was shot wile asleep, and that the bullet was fired by someone outside of the house, the bullet passing through a glass panel in the door of the room in which he was sleeping.
Coroner F.L. Ralston was out of town until Monday, and postponed the inquest until Wednesday evening to facilitate the attendance of several witnesses. Funeral services will probably be held today and interment made at the Elgin cemetery. However, no definite arrangements have been learned.
Mr. Mayfield was born July 31, 1881, at Heppner, Oregon. He spent a good part of his life in and around Elgin. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Anna Mayfield, and by four children all of Elgin. He is also survived by his mother and one sister of Clark’s creek; and by one brother of Eagle valley.
Oregon Trail Weekly
North Powder News
Saturday, December 31, 1927