Fourth Generation

8. Porter Paul CONNELL was born on 9 Mar 1874 in Florida.² He died on 3 Dec 1918 in St. Petersburg, Hillsborough County, Florida.³ From St. Petersburg Daily Times, November 29, 1918.

PORTER CONNELL SHOT BY J. W. BOWEN DURING QUARREL OVER WOMAN

Wounded Man at Hospital With Only Slight Chance to Live

BULLET PIERCES HIS INTESTINES

Bowen in Jail, Says He Feared for Life After Fuss Started About Mrs. Connell

Porter Connell, a carpenter living at 400 Ninth street north was shot and possibly fatally injured yesterday afternoon by J. W. Bowen, a painter who lives at 48 Ninth street north. The shooting, which occurred on the southeast corner of Ninth street and Central avenue, followed a quarrel in the morning which began when Connell accused Bowen of having improper relations with his wife.

Both men are married and have several children, although Connell and his wife are said to have been separated for some years. The men met at the corner and exchanged several remarks. As Connell raised his hand, apparently to strike Bowen, the latter, holding a 38-caliber revolver within less than six inches of Connell's body, fired one shot, which struck him in the stomach and passed through the intestines, entering from the left side of the body and lodging in the right hip.

Connell was rushed to the city hospital and operated upon. Dr . T. H. Green, who was one of the physicians making the operation, stated last night that, although the intestines were pierced in 16 places, the wounded man has a fair chance to recover if complications do not set in. The operation lasted over two hours.

After firing the shot Bowen backed across the street still holding his revolver in his hand. He gave himself up quietly, however, when Policeman William Groves arrived from the police booth on Ninth street and First avenue south. He was placed in jail and will be given a hearing this morning.

Bowen Has No Police Record

Bowen, who is 48 years old and came here from Cordele, Ga., three years ago, is a quiet, orderly man, according to the police, who say that he had never given the department any trouble. He has a wife, three daughters, and one son, Garner Bowen, who is in France. He went across in June, 1918.

Connell, who is a carpenter, is about 43 years old. He has several grown children. He and his wife have separated several years ago. Mrs. Connell lives with her children in the house on the northwest corner of Central avenue and Ninth street. She and her children are all industrious, hard-working people, say neighbors.

Bowen's Story

Bowen told the following story last night:

"I always thought Connell and I were friends until yesterday morning, when he sent one of his children over to my house and said he wanted to see me. I went to his house and he began to curse me and accused me of having improper relations with his wife. I denied this, as it was not so. After some further talk I went home.

"This afternoon I went up to Central avenue to get a cigar. I had my revolver with me. As Mrs. Connell lives only two doors from my house on the same side of the street, it was necessary for ;me to pass her home. Connell met me on the corner of Ninth and Central and said: "Trying to make another date with wife, are you?"

"I told him no, whereupon he cursed me and drew back his arm. He had a knife in his hand and I shot him to protect myself. I am sorry that I shot him and hope he gets well."

Chief Ester's Story

Chief Ester said yesterday:

"Connell and Bowen were quarreling all day yesterday. Bowen told the police that Connell was bothering him, but that he did not want to have any trouble. Yesterday afternoon Policeman William Groves was standing at the booth at First avenue south on Ninth street. He saw Bowen and Connell standing on the corner, but they moved around so that he could see only Connell. Policeman Sims had just gone home. Just as Groves started toward the corner he saw Connell raise his arm, and a second after that the shot was fired and Connell fell. Bowen claims that Connell had a knife in his hand, but Groves was unable to find one and none of the spectators saw a knife."

Neighbors Discuss Shooting

C.P. Kyle, who lives at 853 Central avenue, was sitting on the second story front porch of the building on the north side of the street and about 200 feet from the corner. He said last night:

"I did not see the two men until the shot was fired, but I immediately ran to the corner. One man was lying on the ground and the other was backing across the street with a revolver in his hand. The man on the sidewalk tried to pull himself up by one of the awning poles, but after getting half up, fell down, where he remained until carried away. The shot from the revolver had set his clothes afire. This was put out by F. Manket, who has a store two doors from the corner."

Mrs. Manket, when seen at her home near the corner of Ninth street north and Second avenue, said:

"My husband and I were in the store when we heard a loud noise. At first we thought it was one of these torpedoes the boys have been putting on the car tracks, but we ran out when we saw a crowd collect. I saw that somebody was hurt and ran for a doctor while my husband went to help the man on the sidewalk. After putting out the fire which was burning his clothes, he tried to lift him up. Before I could get a doctor he had been carried off in an automobile."

As far as is known neither Bowen nor Connell were drinking yesterday. Porter Paul CONNELL and Margaret Jeanette "Nettie" DYE were married on 24 Dec 1897 in St. Petersburg, Hillsborough County, Florida.⁴

9. Margaret Jeanette "Nettie" DYE⁵ was born on 24 Jan 1881 in Valdosta, Georgia. She died on 27 Aug 1969 in Palmdale, California. She was buried on 2 Sep 1969 in Royal palms Cemetary, St. Petersburg, FL. Children were:

	i.	Aubrey Maynard CONNELL was born on 9 Apr 1900 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida. He died in 1949 in Tampa Hospital, Hillsborough County, Florida.6 Obituary for Aubrey M. Connell, 1949 "Aubrey M. Connell, life-long resident of St. Petersburg, died Monday in a Tampa hospital. Mr. Connell, 49, was a floor sander with the Nihls Hallgreen Company and resided at 374 Fifteenth Street North. Mr. Connell is survived by his mother, Mrs. Marguerite Hadden (sic), here: three brother, R. L. Connell, Tampa; M. E. Connell, Hidden Springs, Cal., and LeRoy Connell, St. Petersburg; one sister, Mrs. A. A. Albury, Pinellas Park. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 P.M. in the Wilhelm's chapel in charge of the Rev. Earl B. Edington. Burial will be in the Royal Palms Cemetery."
	ii.	Robert Lee CONNELL was born on 30 Sep 1901 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida.6 He died in Apr 1962 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida.6
4	iii.	Melvin Eugene CONNELL.
	iv.	Alva Blanche CONNELL was born on 22 Feb 1906 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida.6 She died on 1 Jul 1982 in Homosassa, Citrus Co., FL.6 She was buried on 3 Jul 1982 in Inverness, Citrus Co., FL.6
	v.	Leroy CONNELL was born on 19 Aug 1908 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida.6 He died in Jul 1961 in Florida.7
	vi.	Not named CONNELL was born on 15 Oct 1911 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida. Died at birth She died on 15 Oct 1911 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida.
	vii.	Not named CONNELL was born on 29 Jul 1915 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida. Died at birth She died on 29 Jul 1915 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida.