Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-11-09
---a-n----
HORRIBLE MURDER.
The Deputy sheriff OF Dickinson
County, Kansas, the victim.

From the Kansas City Journal, Nov. Al
Captain Kingsbury, of this city, who
returned Yesterday from Abilene, Kan
sas, has furnished us the particulars OF a
terrible tragedy that occurred near there
ON Wednesday, resulting in the death ana
mutilation of an officer while attempting
bravely to discharge his duties.
Ii appears that some days ago fatal
affray took place at Chapman Creek,
twelve miles from Abilene, between two
men who lived near each other. Their
names we're John Shea and Andrew
Mcconnell. We are informed that
Mcconnell had been out with his gun
hunting deer, and on his return he found
Shea driving lot of cattle through one
of McConnelrs fields Some words
passed between the two and an angry
alteration followed. Shots were fired by
each-McConnell using his gun and Shea
his pistol. Shea was shot through the
heart. Mcconnell afterwards had an
examination before a justice of the peace
named Dividson, and was discharged.
On Wednesday morning, as it is told
us. Mr.. Thomas j Smith, Deputy Sheriff
of Dickinson county, started to Chapman
creek to arrest Mcconnell, as he had
been properly and legally notified.
With him was another deputy. The two
went out to McConnells place, on Chap
man creek, arriving there about eleven
o'clock in the forenoon. Mcconnell was
in his cabin. and with him we're two men.
Smith alighted from his horse, and was
approaching the door of the cabin, when
a menacing voice shouted Halt or III
fire." Smith stopped, and told Neon
nell he must surrender himself into Gus
tody. Mcconnell replied that no man
could arrest him. Smith said he would
do his duty at any peril, and commenced
walking towards the cabin. The barrel
of a gun instantly flashed through an
aperture, a shot followed, taking eff
feet in Smiths body. Mortally wound
ed. he still advanced, and when al
most TO the door, one of the three
men inside the house rushed out with
an ak in his hands, and with it split open
the skull of Smith, and as he fell hacked
at his neck with the AK, almost cutting
off the head of the Deputy Sheriff. Hor-
rifed at the sight, Smiths associates
turned and fled to Abilene The story
was quickly told, and sooa an armed
party was on the way to McConnelrs, de-
termined to capture him and his two
associates at any cost. They reached
Chapman creek about three o'clock IN
the afternoon, went to McConnells cabin
and found no one there. In front Of the
door lay the body of Smith, the head
hacked and dis6gured beyond recogni-
ton. McConnells neighbors said he
and the two men with him had hastily
left the vicinity soon after the murder OF
Smith had been accomplished. Pursuit
was made but without success.
When our informant, Capt. Kingsbury |
left Abilene Wednesday night, there was
high excitement regarding the murder.
party was being organized to start out |
upon determined hunt for Mcconnell
and his two accomplices.
The murdered officer is said to have |
been worthy man, vigilant in the dis
charge of his responsible duties, and |
almost without the sense Of fear. His |
nerve and pluck have been severely |
tested on more than one occasion. de |
was sent for, while he was living in Mon
lana. to come to Abilene and help re-
store law and order there. Last year
that place was one of the " hardest
places in the West 1t was the head
quarters of the Texas cattle trade, and |
was much Of the time overrun with dare
ievil Texans who spurned the control of
law, and acted as their turbulent spirits
willed. Mr.. Smith came, and from his
lcfive and fearless conduct in suppress
ng lawlessness much good resulted. He
ell in the discharge of his duty. That
IS noble epitah for any man TO have.