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Archiver > INMONROE > 2001-01 > 0980166514


From: Randi Richardson <>
Subject: Whitecapping: Joseph Fulkerson
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 07:28:34 -0500


Bloomington (IN) Evening World, November 10, 1919, p. 1.

With the death of Joseph H. Fulkerson, 80 years old, a farmer nine miles
north of the city, at an early hour Sunday morning, the last chapter in a
three-cornered tragedy that occurred about twelve years ago in Monroe
County, was recorded.

Fulkerson is the man who with a shotgun killed Gorman Lentz and wounded his
brother, Tilghman Lentz, so badly he died within a few months. The tragedy
was one that caused a big sensation in the north part of the county, the
trial that followed resulting in the acquittal of Fulkerson in circuit
court. A feud which had been brewing between the Lentz and Fulkerson
families for several months culminated in a visit to the Fulkerson home of
Gorman and Tilghman Lentz, who lived on adjoining farms. The Lentz men
were armed and as they opened a big gate leading into the Fulkerson
barnyard, they are said to have remarked that they had come to "get"
Fulkerson. The latter ran back to the house and grabbed a shotgun which he
used to fell his unwelcome visitors in the road. Gorman Lentz died
instantly but Tilghman lived some time afterward. The jury held that
Fulkerson was only protecting his own home, that he was on his own
premises, and that the Lentzes had visited him for the purpose of
whitecapping him.

Fulkerson is survived by the widow. He was a member of the Baptist
Church. Previous to the tragedy he had borne a very good reputation as a
law-abiding citizen and since that time has been respected in his
community. His funeral will be held at 10:30 tomorrow at the house in
charge of the Rev. Chord. Interment at the Fulkerson graveyard.


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