Policeman John M. McManus

John M. McManus

Policeman John McManus was shot and killed in downtown Heath Springs while attempting to detain a group of four bootleggers who were causing a disturbance.

The bootleggers were on two wagons riding through town while cursing loudly while traveling to Kershaw. Policeman McManus had stopped them and informed them they had violated a town ordinance and owed a $5 fine. One of the subjects jumped from the wagon and shot Policeman McManus in the neck, killing him.

A citizen who was assisting Policeman McManus was able to subdue one of the men. The other three were eventually apprehended. Two of them were charged in connection with Policeman McManus' murder, but the first trial ended in a mistrial. It is not known if they were ever retried.