The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-03-29
s,,un,.r Tro eedv on the Plains.


The St. Louis Republican gives an account Oh q
frightful scene in one Of the coaches from Denver
CITY, on the 10Th inst. A German, named HENS
CHILD, one of the passengers, supposed to nave
been hardened criminal, betrayed suspicion
that he was the victim of a conspiracy ana t.
darkness OF night attacked 1eroclousFy 'au WHO
were within reach.
Beyond Alkali, the coach was occupied in the
following order: Henschild, McCaul and Barlow
on the back seat Rice and Boyd on the middle
seat, and Seitz and Deidesheimer on the 'front.'
seat, with Kimban on the top OF the vehicle: The
latter had exchanged places with Mr.. Steitz
~-arter of an hour before the opening OF the ira
..dy. The time was between two and three o.
clock at night, and all excepting Henschlld were
sleeping, most Of them eoundly. The assassin,
upon whose guilty conscience the weight OF pre-
vious crimes Was no doubt pressing heayiiy, nearq
far to the rear, the clatter OF horses hoofs. II
was the two cavalry guardsmen who ordinarily
accompany the overland coaches in their Journeys,
approaching from Alkai Station. His coward
fears, it is believed, caused him TO think they
were coming, at Barlow's inst!gGtion, 70 arrest
der, With the right hand he discharged q
pistol, the ball from which entered the back
and passed out at the breast OF MIR. Rice,
killing him instantly. The same ball he
expected would kill Mr.. steitz,. who sat IN line line
erazed the hand against which he WAS leaning his
head while sleeping. With the left simultaneous
" he thrust butcher knife at the breast OF the
other armed passenger, MIR. McCaul. 1t pene-
trated the lapes OF three coats, wnlcn tne ias.e5
had on at the moment, and also his waiscoat and
coat wounding him s1ightly. Sitting next to the
assassin, he comprehended the situation OF affairs
the moment he woke up, and instantly ,grappled
with him. Being incumbered with clothing, and
draw bis own pistol but he so resolutely held the
arms Of his adversary that he was enabled to
stop further murder. In the struggle Henschllds 8
pistol went off three more times; one OF the oais
went through the brain Of the already dead mr.
Rice, and the others gra7ed two more passengers rs
mates, on being roused by the shots, thought the
| etage was attacked, and there were e1clamahons
of %Drive on" and "Stop" impulsively uttered.
The driver stopped, and all pitched out, the BODY
ment. MIR. McCaul held on to the desperate q
while longer, but, encumbered as he was and
liable to be overpowered, he let go hs antagonist
and leaped out after the others, ,,..,.
A conference was then held, at which Mr. Steltz
suggested that he should be captured unharmed,
as Re was. perhaps, crazy. MIR. g., however, had
ridden outside during the preceding time, and olo
not know OF facts Of which his companons were
cognizant, that proved the existence OF method IN
the rufian's medness. he therefore surrendered
his opinion, and agreed with the others that Hon
schild should be thoroughly disabled. A car6ine
was borrowed from the guard for the purpose, put
it snapped on pulling the trigger. Mr.. McOaul
side side Of the stage. The fellow exclaimed, "ohl
you have shot me in three places" and became
motionless Barlow approached and took hold Of
bis feet to pull him through the door, when the
latter rose and thrust at him with the knife with
such effect that Barlows side, face and cheek were
awfully gashed, and his tongue and mouth split
open. The assassin next proceeded to repel fur.
ther attempts by whetting his knife on piece Of
iron. McCaul now fred the contents Of his pistol,
but owing to the darkness the effect was not fatal.
he thereupon took the pistol Of the deceased,
Rice, and, guided by the stage lamp, which was
lighted and held by Steitz, he fired aeveral more
shots with better aim.
resisting even death itself, did net expire until
twelve hours afterwards.