The Lincoln County herald., 1872-05-02
Horrible Massacre In Missouri.
The Cass County Bonds Difficulty.

Sometime since considerable excite
Ment was occasioned by certain citizens
and officials of Cuss county seizing
numbe, of county bonds and leaving the
ennniv for st. Louis, thence to Kansas
City, and other parts Inc an-:- 49,
resulted in one of the bloediest massacres
and most disgraceful crimes that blackens
the history of our state. The following
is a Kansas City special to the Repub-
lican:
This morning well known gentleman
from Cass county, and who was on the
train, q careful observer Of all that hap
pened, arrived in this city, and it was
from him the following details we're OBJ
tained: The train vas the regular ex,
press on the Missouri Kansas and Texas
road, due at Holden 7 p. IN 1t con
sisted Of but one passenger coach, bag
gage car and engine. In the coach were,
In all. about thirty passengers, among
them Gen Jo. Shelby, Capt. Mark Belt,
James Ellis, contractors for the building
and grading of the Memphis road. s. Il.
Du,ro and anothar gentleman, Cline's
bondsman, Judge Stevenson, Cline, and
two or three other gentlemen, were for
ward in the baggage car smoking. The
train, abolt 6 30 p. IN. reaching Gum
City, b little town about ten miles from
Holden and twelve miles from Harrison
vile, the engineer slowed up, and just as
the train Rilded slowly in, crowd of
men rushed from several stores and
shanties near the track, and at once com
menced firing over the train. The engi
neer, noticing an obstruction on the track,
came to full stop, and.immedatel y the
train was boarded by the mob, nearly all
Of whom were masked. They were lead
by o tall raw boned rather middle aged
appearing man, who, though not issuing
any orders, seemed to be looked upon for
certain signals. Four men mounted the
engine and forcing the engineer and fire.
man back in the cab, stood guard over
them with drawn revolvers. Others Of
the mob rushed to the doors Of the coach
and baggage car, and held all within
prisoners. Shouts we're made for Cline,
and in response he came out of the bag.
gage car calling upon Judge Stevenson
to accompany him, but Stevenson refused
and remained 10 the car. Cline, as soon
as he made his appearance, was seized by
several mon, aud then commenced a nvisy
dispute, charging him with completely 10
the bond operation and accusing him of
firing on the mob as it came up. Cline
asserted his willingness to submit to cap.
ture and stoutly denied that be had fred
on the mob, at the same time yielding
up his arms. BY this time he was stand
ing on the ground near the track, and
while he was speaking one of the mob
fred on him. THIS was the signal, aud
in second's time, almost, he fell riddled
with bullets Several emptied their no
volvers into his mangled body, and then
. rush was made for Stevenson. Fail.
ing in their attempts to kick in the door
Of the car, battering ram in the shape
Of huge log was obtained, and on en-.
trance was forced. Stevenson stood
ready to meet them, but before he could
make the slightest show of resistance,
his body was pierced with bullets, and he
fell dead. Dragging the bloody remains
out Of the car, they we're thrown down
near tho track, face upwards
Loud cries were then made for Shelby
to come out. The general, who sat ia a
seat almost the centre of the coach, paid
no attention, but prepared himself to
fight to the bitter end. A crowd of the
murderous gang forced their way into
the coach, inquiring for Shelby, and upon
being told he was there, concluded thew
did not want him. Poor Dutro thcy
did End, and shot him down in his tracks,
not killing him instantly. but lrflictine
mortal wounds Having wreaked their
vengence, the mob removed Instructions
for the track, and Informed the engineer
be might 20 on. He had just started up.
when several pistol shots signalled to
sop. lie did so, and a crowd boarded
the train again, and dragged the dying
Dutro out Of the coach where he had
been left, and threw him on the ground
near the bodies of Cline and Stephenson.
Again was the engineer told to 20 ahead
and again wSs he sigualed to stop. This
time the leaders Of the mob compelled
the engineer, conductor, brakemen, fire.
man and passengers to swear that If any
Of the mob had been recognized, none
on the train would ever appear in court
sgsinst them, or in any way give infor,
matloa concerning the murderers. A
leader loudly proclaimed that the mob
present were only a portion of a com
m'ttee of one thousand, and that they
had only just commenced their work Of
murder. He threatened certain death
70 any and all who dared to give infor.
nation, and then permitted the Grain to
pass on to Holden.