No news is murder….Assault at Lock Springs proves fatal

Gallatin North Missourian Thursday, April 27, 1916
It is the old old story of too much whiskey, what it will cause man or boy to do under its unholy influence, and the sad ending.
Robert Eads of Lock Springs, 24 years old, is in the county jail here and will probably face the charge of murder as the result of an assault upon George W. Buster at Lock Springs last Friday evening.
Mr. Buster died this morning from the effect of his injuries. The assault, according to information received here, was without provocation. Young Eads struck Buster over the head with a singletree, according to the report and from the injury laid in a semi-conscious condition from Friday until this morning when he died.
Young Eads, it is said, had been to Chillicothe Friday afternoon and had been drinking. Upon his return he went into the Jesse Buster livery barn and thereon accused George Buster of having $2 of his money.
Mr. Buster, it has since developed, never had any of Eads’ money and Eads had given $2 to Clarence Wade to keep for him.
Why Eads placed the accusation against Buster is not known.
After demanding the $2 Eads went outside and picked up a singletree. Buster, it is said, also picked something up to defend himself, but Eads struck the fatal blow before Buster could gain his balance. The blow injured the skull and no hope was held for his recovery.
A coroner’s inquest is being held over the body this afternoon at Lock Springs and after receiving the jury verdict Prosecuting Attorney Hicklin will file the charge against Eads.
Young Eads was brought to Gallatin and placed in jail Friday night by Sheriff S.R. Surface and he has maintained silence ever since, refusing to comment in any way concerning the assault. Sheriff Surface had not told him at noon of the death of Buster.
Robert Eads is a son of Francis Eads, a former resident of the Lock Springs community. He was never regarded as a bad boy.
George Buster was about 55 years of age and a law-abiding citizen. C. D. Buster of Gallatin is a brother.
Eads gets 10 years
Thursday, Dec. 14, 1916
Robert Eads pled guilty to the charge of murder in the circuit court Monday and was given 10 years in the penitentiary.
The trial was docketed for Monday, but after qualifying a jury, Atty. Jack Davis of Chillicothe, who represented the defendant, compromised with the court. Eads pled guilty and received the minimum sentence.
Atty. Davis expressed himself as being highly satisfied with the compromise.
Sheriff Surface will probably take young Eads to Jefferson City the first of the week.