Bayview Historical Society
BAYVIEW, ID
dedicated to preserving the history of Bayview, Lakeview and other locations on Lake Pend Oreille
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dedicated to preserving the history of Bayview, Lakeview and other locations on Lake Pend Oreille
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When articles have been used on the web site for a period of time, they will be permanently store in this section. An index will allow visitors access. THE SHOOTING OF JESS PUCKETT, JR. Two shots rang out on the waterfront in Bayview the afternoon of June 27, 1952, and Jess Puckett, Jr. lay dead, the result of a controversial shooting by Paul Polidori. It seems that sides were drawn immediately, some saying that Puckett was a bully and was asking for it while others were in horror over the loss of the familiar figure whom everyone knew as a local businessman and fishing guide. According to the facts which emerged during the trial in January, 1953, Polidori, 68, a retired forest service worker, had been fishing on Lake Pend Oreille and returned to the docks when he was confronted by Puckett, who thought Paul was snooping around some of the cars next to his business. Jess operated the Kokanee Grill, a small tavern and hamburger bar adjoining the docks he owned. According to witness, Jane Barney, Jess struck Paul several times and she couldn’t understand why others didn’t stop the fracas. Paul’s face was bloodied and he was visibly upset. He said that this wasn’t the first time Puckett had hit him. Another witness, Edwin Schaeffer, told the jury that he had spoken with Paul immediately after the beating and Paul said Puckett had knocked him down and kicked him. “I suggested that I take him to the doctor and then get a warrant for Puckett,” claimed Schaeffer, “but Paul said he was going for a gun to force Puckett into an apology and find out why he was beaten.” Polidori returned to his home a few blocks away, got a gun and returned to the restaurant. Jess was confronted but instead of offering an apology another quarrel ensued. According to Schaeffer, he saw Paul backing out the door of the building, off the porch and down the steps followed by Jess. The gun in Paul’s hand was pointed down. On the witness stand Paul claimed that he shot because he felt threatened. Schaeffer alleged Puckett had made a lunge at Polidori, but others called Schaeffer a hostile witness. Puckett was standing in the door when the first shot was fired. A second followed. Polidori ran across the street to J.D.’s tavern where several individuals saw him with the gun and he admitted to shooting Puckett. “Yes, I shot him twice,” Paul stated. At trial Polidori pleaded self-defense. The trial lasted five days before a jury of 12 men found him not guilty.
Puckett, 41, was survived by his wife, Marge, and son, Douglas. His parents and many other relatives also lived in Bayview. |
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Jess,
the son of Jess, Sr. and Annie Puckett, grew up in Bayview. He spent time in
the Navy during World War II. In 1947 he purchased all the holdings of the
Bayview Townsite and Water Company still held by Walter Merryweather, which
included five platted blocks, two shoreline lots and the water system. He built
his business on the shoreline property and developed a successful fishing guide
service. His most noteworthy client was Bing Crosby, whom Puckett claimed he
never charged but always left a sizable tip under the seat cushion of his boat.