Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-06-10
The Doings OF a western Desperate.
HE REsIsTs ARREST AND Is SHOT DEAD

The Doings of a Western Desperate.
HE REsIsTs ARREST AND Is SHOT DEAD.
In Springfield, Illinois, last Saturday,
there occurred one of those terrible trag-
edies (of which brief telegraphic men,
ton has been made) at one time so COM
mon in that section, but which of late
years have become few and far between.
1t appears that few days prior to the
elimination of the tragedy q party of
men were engaged in surveying route
through Springfield for proposed rail-
road. When they reached the premises
OF Mrs. Bancroft, in the southwest part
OF the city, her son, named Coburn Ban
croft aged about twenty-three years, be-
coming desperate at the thought that his
mothers property was to be taken for
railroad purposes, fred revolver at the
surveyors two or three times, but with.
out effect. A warrant was sworn out,
and two or three policemen started for
the epurpose of arresting young Bancroft,
which fact coming to the latter's knowl-
edge, he procured revolver and a hatch
ct, and stationing himself in his mothers
house. defied the officers to arrest him,
saying he would not be taken alive. AT.
ter parleying with the desperado all the
afternoon, and failing to get him at
disadvantage. the police were compelled
to depart without effecting their object.
Thus matters stood when, on the fatal
Saturday, Louis Souther, local editor of
the State Register, desirous Of getting at
young Bancroft's version of the affair,
proceeded to the Bancroft domicile for
the purpose of interviewing" the des-
perado. His enterprise was lily reward
ed. Before reaching the house the moth
er of the young man came out and met
Mr.. Souther, who at once made known
his errand. Mrs. b. advised him that
her son was dangerous. and he had bet
ter depart. He turned to do SO, but had
not proceeded far when, hearing noise,
he faced about, and as he did SO, discov-
cred young Bancroft in swift pursuit.
On asking the latter what he wanted, he
replied that he wished to kill him.
Souther started off on run, when Ban.
croft shot him in the arm, inAicting se-
we're wound. The news spread like Wild
n
fire, and created considerable excitement
in the city. No immediate effort was
made to capture the desperate man, how
ever, and at three o'clock the same after
noon, he left his impromptu fortress, and
meeting soon after one Of the railroad
party named Mcclure, commenced throw
ing at him the lead of brick layers
plumb, to which was attached long
cord, and as he threw it he insured its re-
turn by holding on the cord. Mcclure
drew revolver and fred FIVE shots in
quick succession at Bancroft, but with
out effect Bancroft, after the first two
shots by Mcclure, drew his revolver and
fired four shots, one Of which wounded
Mcclure in the thigh, another caused
bad wound in the wrist and another
struck a memorandum book in the side
pocket of McClure's coat. The ball
glanced from the book and passed across
the breast, leaving red mark, showing
its course, but doing no serious injury.
Bancroft then proceeded quite deliber-
ately to his mothers residence, went to
his room, and loaded his pistol. This
last aggression was too much, and speed
lily large crowd gathered in the vicinity
Of the Bancroft house, among them the
officer holding the warrant for Bancroft's
arrest While this crowd was gathering
about the house, Bancroft was sitting
near the window, portion Of the time
playing upon violin. He would occa-
sionally converse from the window with
some acquaintance wko would approach
near enough to the house to converse.
But to all entreaties to surrender he re-
turned positive refusal, reiterating his
determination never to be taken alive.
Finally, after all expedients had been
exhausted without avail, d. G. Robbins,
chief Of the night police Of Springfield,
discharged a rife at Bancroft with fatal
effect, the ball entering bis temple, and
producing almost instant death. A cor
oner's jury was Immediately summoned,
which returned verdict that, from all
the facts and circumstances in evidence
before them, they were of the opinion
that the shooting Of Bancroft was neces-
sary and justiiable.
PHoToGRAPHs.-Many people take
good deal of pains in fixing themselves
up" before having their pictures taken.
The most natural likenesses are those Sc
cured of persons in their everyday at
tire, just as they usually appear to their
most familiar friends. But if persons