White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-09-02

evening, the facts in regard to which, as
near as we can learn, are as follows:
A rufian living in Forest City, by the
name of George Hammer, (perhaps the
name sounds familiar to some of our rea-
ders. started from that place for Oregon,
on Saturday evening, drunk, as usual,
and swearing that he intended to kill
somebody before morning. Arriving at
Oregon. he met DR.. Nephler, to whom
he made like declaration-that he in
tended to kill somebody that night, and
If he got hurt in the ARRAY, he wanted the
Dr. to attend to him.
He clustered about the streets, using
the most profane and obscene language,
and demanding to be shown any person
who was friend of ours, that he might
make mince-meat of him. About s or
9 o'clock, he entered McAllister's store,
where he met Samuel Smokey, respec-
table, sober, peaceable young man, who
has never been known to abuse or wilful-
ly insult any person. 1t appears that
Stuckey was a defeated candidate for
Constable, at the late election. Hammer
had written some doggerel verses on the
subject of the election. which appeared in
the News; and in these verses, he took
particular pains to slur and belittle Stuck
ey. He imagined they were so acutely
cutting, that Stuckey ought to writhe
and make great noise under the inlic-
ton. But he was disarpointed-Stuckey
apparently paid no attention to the efu
sion. This soured Hammer, and upon
meeting Stuckey, on Saturday evening,
for want Of some one else to pick quar-
rel with, he commenced insulting and
imposing upon him. Stuckey expostu-
lated with him, when Hammer caught
him by the arms; and in scuffling, they
got out on the pavement. Hammer con-
timing his abuse, Stuckey knocked him
down, and kicked him several times.
The bystanders pulled Stuckey away,
and advised him to get out of Hammers
reach, which he endeavored to do; but
the latter drew a knife, and followed him.
They presently came to close quarters
again, at the same place; Hammer cut
ting away with his knife, as hard as he
could lay TO it, when Stuckey again
knocked him down, and gave him a Sc
we're whipping. Again the bystanders
pulled him of, and advised him to leave,
which he was attempting to do, when
Hammer came up behind, and plunged
the knife into the side of his neck. The
blood gushed from the wound in stream,
and Stuckey was taken into Peters Drug
Store, where, after some trouble, the flow
of blood was stopped. The wound was
a dangerous one, and had it varied half
an inch either way, must have proven
fatal. Stuckey is now doing well, and
is in fair way to recover
In the hustle and excitement, Hammer
mounted his horse and gallopped away,
taking north-easterly direction. Con-
stable Emerson, with several assistants,
started in pursuit; and towards morning
they espied the fugitive streaking it for
his horse, from the house of an acquaint-
ance. He was arrested, taken back to
Oregon, and had an examination before
Justice Lahmer, who bound him over in
the sum of $500, for his appearance at
the next term of the Court.
Hammer feigned utter ignorance of
having committed any crime, or of hav-
ing been engaged in fuss; although he
had conveniently laid aside his drunken
ness during the fight, and was sensible
enough to attempt to escape afterwards.
Some of his owners, and the very ones
who have been employing him to abuse
people, and encouraging him indirectly,
if not directly to commit deeds of vio-
lence, were very Indignant that he should
be required to give bail-they thought
the innocent boy ought to be allowed to
go free. and to run away if he wanted to,
without holding his hackers for the bail
money. During the examination, sever
al lawyers distinguished themselves by
exhibiting a wholesome ignorance of the
simplest points of law. If the Court has
the temerity to try him for his crime, we
presume that will be another mortal in
suit to the dignity Of Forest City, where
the matter is daily discussed by those
who were in bed asleep at the time of the
fight, and Hammer decided to be an
abused and injured man; and the wit
nesses who testified in the matter, and the
Justice before whom the case was tried,
are proven, to the enti.e satisfaction of
Forest City, to have perjured themselves.
If Hammer don't run away, we can't say
how his trial will result; but in most of
The States, when a man declares his de-
4. II IL