The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-27
The Recent Tragedy In Missouri.

From the Liberty mo Tribune.
We append bt low statement OF the citizsns o.
Smithvile in relation to the dreadful tragedy In
that place on the 7th inst. Il was prepared by
those who witnessed the whole affair, and may be
relied on as authentc:-
TO THE PUBLIC.
Whereas, the public attention will DO called on 10
enquire into the following reports 10 the whole.
sale butcheries committed In the town Of Smithvie
Mo.,-Now, be IL known that there had been gang
Of thiews and outlaws quartered In this vicinity,
which fact has been established by court Of en-
quiry according to the laws Of the country. These
thieves and incendiares had been notified to leave
Clay end the adjoining EQUITIES, by moi than one
hundred respectable citizens in this vicinity Their
answer was, that they would mot leave, and that
hfty armed men could not make them leave. Tnus
the matter passed for season, until Monday the
6tb day Of August, the day of the election, when
they sent word that they intended to clean ont the
town, commencing on tnose who had used the most
exerticDs In prosecuting them with the law, even
telling their friencs where they wished to be buried
If they fell In the conAi 4. etE
They then armed themselves with two pistols IRE.
volvers) each, and bowie knives and dirks. Thus
equipped, they mace their appearance in town.
Their Ieacer, Samuel Shakelford commenced q con-
versat0n in an insulting manner with John W. Doug
lars, and alluded to William Ross, both respectable
citizens Of this community. M. Ross replied In o
cslm manner, but WAS dared to the onset by samuel
Sbackelford, and At that NOME mt, person, rela-
ton Of Shackelford,s, passed between them for .
moment Shaekelford drew revolver, the person
twice, wtunding him severely, perhaps MORALLY.
Sbackelford then turned and shot Douglass twi e.
and then shot ct N. Imhoff twice. Douglass then
returned the fire on Shackelford twice. wounaing
him /; and then Douglass drew bowie knife, he
Douglass) Being the only citizen on the ground
who was armed. William Shackelford seized Doug
lass and got his knife and pistol, and then COM
meDced the work Of destruction ON Douglass, in
fctipg several Wounds Of which Douglass fell dead.
He then shot twice or three times at n. Imhof, but
without effect. Persons then interfered to stop the
e1nficn Of blood.
Samuel shaielford stabbed every person whom
he suspected his enemy, INJECTING u mortal would
OF s. J. Ross, and also cutting ana stabbing Ira
Witt, who was stranger, AID only engaged for
peace, and also young Ross. John w. Galloway
ran in and shot At Mr. Iuhon,. and missed him, as
Slater, woundDg him slightly in the leg
By this time the fight became general Stones
end clubs we're In order. The Shakelforcs and Cal
lowsys retseaied, and !, 80 doing attempted to Kill
Others bom they considered their enemies. Samue.
Shake.ford's pistol, which he dew with t1e inten
lion Of shoe tn Mr.. Payne missed fre. and be then
threw the pistol at him. They then entered drug
store, and locked themselves mp for defence, but
owing. to Samuel Shakelford being wounded,
and the people threatening TO FIRE the house,
they surrendered TO the populace. The populace
were frsDxied. Ropes were called for, guns and
pistols procured, and all hands calling for immediate
vengeance on the murdererA Thus Il passed on
until the people were alarmed In all directions, and
notified Of the circumstances.
They came from Platte county. .Ridglsy was
precinct, and It being public day, the people
Hooked In gangs TO this place. The cry wss, Lynch,
hang the thieves and murdern." Two or three
hundred persons were present. VIM. Sha .kleford
was then hung. John Galway WAS next hung,
who sta1ed that Samuel 4hackleford was TO blame
for all DC trouble; that Sam. Shackleford had IN.
duced Inn into stealing horses; that Sam. Shackle-
ford stole the mule that be was arrested for and he
took It and sold It In st. Joseph and that they had
concluded not to kill the people Of Smithviile and
vicinity, but for the overpersuason Of - that be
would stand up 70 them and see them through.
The same was affirmed by Mn. Shacklefofd; a.
though they had agreed among themselves to
60 into the massacre before - came. Samuel
Shackleford Was hung rext, all TO the sams limb
Nov, the community claim the right 70 stop such
Wholesale butcheries, when every effort Il made on
their part for peace and NO peace given them, only
being shot down like beeves in Q slaughter pen,
or slaughtered like hogs In . stye. Nov the people
are saiisfed eth what they have done, 10 far as
civii authority is concerned. The peacl officers
made speeches against the mob Law, and : q every
exersion for TIE civil authority to have ID course,
but al g no enect. Order was oonfounied; confu.
sion reigned. Mem pafaded the streets IKE dra.
goes v military service, Now, the whole Of Thu