by Heidi StreetmanEnraged, Elliott Powers, hid in a cornfield across the lane from Martin M. Cannon's home. Mr. Powers spent a good many hours in the field as was attested to by the tobacco juice in the area where he stood. He chewed tobacco and spit a lot in the course of some hours. He was waiting to fire a shot at Martin M. Cannon, but there were many little children around, at the time.
Martin M. Cannon sat on the porch rocking the youngest child, Chester, according to family members. When Martin arose from placing the infant on a blanket spread on the porch, Mr. Powers fired his shotgun, hitting Martin M. twice, once in the temple and once in the side of the nose.
Mr. Powers fled on foot, as Martin's son, George, was returning to the home on horseback. George saw his father fall and die from the shot. Martin's other son, Richard, grabbed a loaded handgun, with the intent of shooting Mr. Powers. The gun went off accidentally, however, the bullet lodging in the handrail. Mr. Powers escaped.
Eliska, Martin M. Cannon's wife, was left to raise her 13 children alone. Still, the Cannon family considered it a great blessing that the handgun had misfired, and Mr. Powers had not been killed.