Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-30
From the Liberty Tribune.
The SmithyIlle Tragedy.

The SmithvIlle Tragedy.
We append below statement of the citizens
Of Smithville in relation to the dreadful ira
gedy in that place on Monday week. 1t was
prepared by those who witnessed the whole
affair and may be relied on as authentic:
To THE PUBLIc.-Whereas, the public atten
tion will be called on to inquire into the follow
ing reports as to the wholesale butcheries com
mitted in the town of Smithville, Mo. Now be
it known that there had been gang OF thieves
and outlaws quartered in this vicinity, which
TACT has been established by court of inquiry
according to the laws of the country. These
thieves and incendiaries had been notified to
leave Clay and the adjoining counties by more
than one hundred respectable citizens in this
vicinity. Their answer was that they would not
leave, and that fifty armed men could not make
them leave. Thus the matter passed on for a
season, until Monday the 9th day of August,
the day of the election, when they sent word
that they intended to clean out the town, com
mencing on those who had used the most ex,
ertions in prosecuting them with the law, even
telling their friends where they wished to be
buried if they fell in the conflict.
They then armed themselves with two pistols
(revolvers) each, and bowie-knives and dirks
Thus equipped, they made their appearance in
town. Their leader, Samuel Shackelford, com
lnenced a conversation in an insulting manner
with John W. Douglass, and alluded to Will
liam Ross both respectable citizens of this com
munity Mr. Ross replied in calm manner,
but was dared to the onset by Samuel Shack
clifford, and at that moment a person, a relation
of Shackelford's, passed between them for a
moment; Shackeliord drew a revolver, the per-
son passed on, and Shackelford shot William
Ross twice, wounding him severely, perhaps
mortally. Shackelford then turned and shot
Douglass twice and then M. Imhoff twice.
Douglass then returned the fire on Shackeford
twice, wounding him, and then Douglass drew
bowieknife, he, (Douglass) being the only
citizen on the ground who was armed. Will
liam Shackelford seized Douglass and got his
knife and pistol, and then commenced the work
of destruction on Douglass, inficting several
wounds, of which Douglass fell dead He then
shot twice or three times at NJ. Imhoff, but
without effect Persons then interfered to stop
the effusion of blood. Samuel Shackelford
stabbed every person whom he suspected his
enemy, inflicting mortal wound on 5. j. Ross,
and also cutting and stabbing Ira Will, who
was stranger, and only engaged for peace,
and also young Ross. John W. Galloway ran
in and shot at M. Imhoff and missed him, as
Vim. Slater, wounding him slightly in the leg.
By this time the fight became general
Stones and clubs were in order. The Shackel-
fords and Callaways retreated, and in so doing
attempted to kill others, whom they considered
their enemies. Samuel Shackelford's pistol,
which he drew with the intention of shooting
Mr.. Payne. missed fire, and he threw the pistol
at him. They then entered drug store, and
locked themselves up for defence, but owing
to Samuel Shackelford being wounded, and
the people threading 10 FIRE the house, they sur
rendered to the populace The populace were
frenzied. Ropes were called for, guns aud
pistols procured, and all hands calling for i'm
mediate vengeance on the murderers. Thus
it passed on until the people we're alarmed in
all directions: and notified of the circum-
stances. They came from Platte county
Ridgley was precinct, and it being public
day the people locked in gangs to this place.
The cry was" Lynch, hang the thieves and
murderers." Two or three hundred persons
we're present. William Shackelford was then
hung. John Galloway was next hung, who
stated that Samuel Shackelford was to blame
for all the trouble; that Samuel Shackelford
had induced him into stealing horses; that
Samuel Shackelford stole the mule that he was
arrested for, and he took IT, and sold in St.
Joseph anu lHhi tue hhh NOuCiuucu HOl W
kill the people Of Smithville and vicinity, but
for the over persuasion Of - that he would
I stand up to them, and see them through. The
same was affirmed BY Mrs. Shackelford although
they had agreed among themselves to 90 into
| the massacre before - came. Samuel
Shackelford was hung next, all to the same
| limb.
Now, the community claim the right to stop
such wholesale butcheries, when every effort
is made on their part for peace, and no peace
is given them, only being shot down like
beeves in q slaughter pen, or slaughtered like
hogs in a sty. Now the people are satisfied
with what they have done, SO far as civil au.
thority is concerned. The peace officers made
speeches against the mob law, and used every
exertion for the civil authority to have its
course, but all to no effect. Order was con.
founded confusion reigned. Men paraded the
streets like dragons in military service. Now
the whole Of this resulted from an effort on the
part Of the citizens TO bring these thieves ia
justice according to law, for the commission Of
crimes, their guilt Of which they acknowledged
MANY CITIZENS.
SNITHvILLE, Aug. 9, 1854.
p. S.-There has been an attempt TO assas
sinate Douglass at the dead hour OF night
supposed TO have been by these murdcrers
and he was threatened by them, which was tn,
reason why he was armed.