THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, October 9, 1924

 

One of the most shocking crimes perpetrated in this section occurred Saturday night about ten o'clock when W. H. Coons, bridge tender at the Bulow High Bridge over the F. E. C. Canal, and a few hundred feet from the entrance to Flagler Beach, was shot and killed by alleged unknown parties.

The only person to throw any light on the crime is a man named Crawford, who had been staying with Coons at odd intervals fox the past two years. It is said he related at the inquest that he awaked and found Coons stag­gering into the house, and upon inquiry from Crawford to Coons if he had been hit, Coons replied that he had ben shot, it is said.

Crawford then related how two young men had come to the place for gasoline Friday night and that the same parties had returned again Saturday accompanied by two other men only two of whom had been seen. According to reported statement of Crawford, Coons said before he died that he had been shot with his own gun. But it is said that blood and. a bullet was found in the bedroom. Crawford went to the home of a Mr. Barker and returned with help, who upon questioning Coons found that the dying man could only nod his head, it is understood. Mr. Crawford stated that he could recognize the two boys who had visited the place recently.

W. H. Coons was 54 years of age and has lived in Florida for 11 years, coming here from Illinois. In 1922 he was married to Mrs. Annie Adams of Centralia, Ill. Mrs. Coons is the mother of six children and had come to Flagler Beach before her marriage the same year. . She and Mr. Coons lived together for about three months, when Mrs. Coons returned to her home state. A divorce was granted Coons but a few weeks ago.

As far as can be learned there is hut one relative, a sister, of the dead man living.

During the last month Coons sold valuable property in Daytona and Flagler Beach and is reputed to be wealthy, it was reported. He was a Mason and was buried at Ormond.