Sullivan, Jim

age 39, was shot and killed by a Missouri Officer on highway 60 west of Seneca Missouri on Sunday night. The shooting happened beside Officer Morgan's car, and was just over the sate line into Missouri. Sullivan was shot once through the heart, and died instantly. Witnesses with Sullivan said in statements Monday, that Morgan stopped Sullivan's car on the highway and that no words were exchanged, before the shooting and that they did not see Sullivan pull any gun on Morgan. Investigation showed however that Sullivan was armed at the time of the shooting. The four persons in the car with Sullivan were announced as being Musette Morgan, Marie Johnson, Loreta Grisham and Fussell Wilder, all of Picher. Investigation showed the five had been to the Rock Tavern, south of Reddings Mill, near Joplin Missouri on Sunday afternoon and were returning to Oklahoma. They stopped in Seneca to purchase gasoline. Sullivan paid for the gasoline, but when the operator Buening demanded ration coupons, according to Marshall Morgan, Sullivan became abusive and finally drove away without producing said coupons. Buening called the Marshall and Morgan, accompanied by William Martin of Seneca, went in pursuit of the car, stating that he passed Sullivan's car and that the car was weaving along the highway. Morgan said he stopped ahead of Sullivan's car, intending to write down the license number to turn in to the rationing board. Sullivan stopped and approached Morgan's car and 'gave me a cussing,' that if they took his license number it would be the last one they would ever write down., and flourished a .45-caliber pistol. Morgan said he ordered him to put the pistol away. Sullivan turned on him, leveled the weapon and pulled back the hammer, saying he would shoot him. According to Morgan that is when he jerked out his pistol and fired. Sullivan fell dead in the highway. His body was taken to the Buzzard funeral home, at Seneca and then on Monday to the Durnil funeral home, Picher. ... Sullivan is survived by his wife, Mrs. Threse Sullivan; two daughters, Dora Sullivan and Ruth Sullivan; a son, John Sullivan, all of the home and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Luther Sullivan of Peoria Oklahoma. Funeral rites were held Wednesday at the home of his parents, Mr and Mrs. Luther Sullivan at Peoria Oklahoma. Burial in the Lowell Kansas cemetery.

Marshal Elva Morgan of Seneca was bound over to district court for trial on a charge of murder in the slaying of James E. Sullivan, a former Picher Officer, at Miami. Morgan held in county jail since Oct 9, 1944, the day after he shot and killed Sullivan on the highway west of Seneca Missouri, just across the state line in Oklahoma, was committed back to jail without bond to await trail... Four witnesses, presented evidence or the state at the hearing. They were companions of Sullivan at the time of the shooting, and were Musette Morgan, Maxine Johnson, Loretta Grisham and Fussell Wilder.

Seneca Marshal is acquitted in slaying of James E. Sullivan last Oct 8. Jury returns verdict in 25 minutes, freeing Elva Morgan, who pled self defense. ... Sullivan, a married man, made the rounds of night clubs on the fatal night accompanied by 'Sis' Morgan, Maxine Johnson, Mrs. Pete Grisham and Russell 'Joker' Wilder, all of Picher. Note: Different spellings of Fussell and Russell.