The Shasta courier., 1871-02-04
Homicide at Red BIuG.


[From the Red Bluff Independent, Jan. ISL
Our town was thrown into quite an ex-
citement yesterday forenoon, by report
that Pope Lansdale had shot aud killed
W. S. Banks, better known as Scott Banks,
on Main street, near the onion Hotel.
Upon iDquiring we learned that the report
was true, and gathered the following par
ticulars OF the affray and the causes. that
led to it. In order to commence at the
beginning of the trouble, it will be neces-
sary to go back kseveral months. 1t appears
that Lansdale had kept com pany with Mrs
Banks previous to her marriage, and at
one time they were engaged, wedding day
set, and license procured, when the mother
of the lady interfered and the match was
broken of. Shortly after, she married
Mr.. Banks, and the trouble then commen-
ced, which was carried on with much an
imosity by both parties, and friends had
long predicted something serious from it.
On Sunday, Mr.. and Mrs Banks, who re-
sided about mile and a half from. town,
,, CAME to town, and having some business
to transact the next morning, concluded to
remain over night They went to the
house of Mrs. Banks brother, and7occupi-
ed his room. Her brother came home
sometime during the night, accompanied
by Pope Lansdale; but finding his. room
occupied, they saddled horses and rode to
Banks ranch and spent the night.
The next morning Banks transacted his
business and went home Arriving at the
house and finding Lansdale there he order
ed him away, making use of some very
strong language Lansdale left, and Banks
busted himself about home for while and
then went into the field to attend to some
stock As he was returning, Lansdale
rose from behind a brush fence, with a
revolver in hand, and said, You called
me S. Of b., and you must take it
back" To which Banks replied he did,
and would not take it back saying at the
same time, "You have got the drop on me,
but will prepare myself and give you sat
isfaction." They then separated
Yesterday morning, Banks came to town,
and meeting gentleman named Webb,
promised him turkey if he would ride
out with him and bring it IN. Mr.. Webb
saddled his horse and rode out to the ranch
When they had secured the turkey, Mrs
Banks desired to come to town, and they
all three rode in on horseback On the
way Banks told Webb of the trouble he
had had with Lansdale on Monday, as
related above. On arriving in town Mrs
Banks and Webb stopped at the house of
Mrs. Webb, who resides one door above
the Union Hotel. As they rode up Lans-
dale was seen standing on the porch of the
hotel, and one of the party remarked "there
is Pope, now" Banks, without dismount-
ing, kept Oh down town and stopped at
Hughes saloon and borrowed a revolver,
and Immediately started back, riding quite
fast Lansdale had left the hotel and was
walking Main street leading horse
Banks rode up at full speed to within a
few feet of Lansdale, when they both fired
at the same instant. The firing frighten-
ed Banks horse and he started to run.
LaDsdale firing two more shots as Banks
rode off. ao q
As soon as Bdnks could check his horse
| he turned and started back, on a walk, on
dale, but it is rot known whether he had
his revolver in his hand or not. When
directly opposite, Lansdale fred again,
the ball entering the right side, and is
supposed to have reached the heart. AS
soon as <he shot was fred the horse started
on run, Banks gave yell aud fell to the
ground, his foot hanging in the stirrup, he
was dragged several yards before getting
clear, after which he rolled over two or
three times, and partially raised himself
upon his elbow, gasped two or three times,
and was dead. The shooting was witness
ed by several parties, among whom was
Mrs Banks. Lansdale was taken in char
ge by gentleman near, and delivered
over to..the Sheriff. DR.. G Jeferies, act
ing Coroner, Immediately held an inquest,
and the jury returned verdict in accord
ance with the above facts. An examina-
tion was to be had at two o'clock P. NJ,
this day. The funeral also took place at
tho camo hour