The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-09-21
An Unpleasant TradegY.


A lively and exciting drama occurred IN the
Wichita jail the other day the sequel of which,
if reported truly, closed in earnest tradegy.
Two men, by the name of Eli Patten and Ar
chibald Douglas, were held here by the Sheriff
for horse stealing. In the meantime warrant
for their apprehension had been Issued by the
authorities of Barton county charging them
with the same offence. A man by the name
of Myers had been deputized to take them,
but while he was reading the warrant in the
jail, one of the prisoners becoming desperate
tore off piece Of mis- iron bedstead and went
for the officer lively. Myers rushed out and
secured both help and arms. In attempting
to iron the prisoners one of the pistols was
discharged when Patten became frantic de-
molishng a thirty-five dollar stove and scat
tering things generally. They had originally
been arrested under the names of ''Long
Tom and "Dug." on mail Information as
fugitives from justice. The stolen property
and evidence of the guilt OF the parties all be-
ing IN Barton county and the authorities
I'D there having requested the return Of the
prisoners, sent assurance that Myers was in
tNtIl way ItclOHciDiC anu NouiN NNh'Ni eHS
prisoners safely, County Attorney Stanley as
also two OF the commissioners judged it not only
wisdom, but happy escape from big ex-
pense to let them go, which they did. Both
of these men were well known to the officers
OF this city and comfy as hard cases, one of
them, Patten, having at one time been sent
from here to penitentiary, for cattle stealing,
i.aii n.,r ri hair in tba
Jail they had been daily source of trouble
and expense. Meyers left here with has pris-
eners last Friday at halt past eleven O'Clock,
a. IN. on Monday Geo. II. English. of the
firm of Adams, English & Ruggles received
dispatch from Sterling signed "Patten," which
said that he had been shot twice, and left for
dead on the prairie, but that he had crawed
to the railroad. Tuesday morning Col. Eng
Iish received another dispatch to the same
effect. that Douglas had been killed aud left
on the prairie. AS soon as Sheriff Dunning
of this county learned that Patten was at Ser
ling he telegraphed for his re-arrest. What
led to the death of Deuglas and the wounding
OF Patten. or how it was encompassed. or
whether Deputy Sheriff Myers was overcome
by a mob or by the prisoners themselves, or
whether he disposed Of them, we have not
learned at this writing
Alter the above b ad been put in type, the
assumed facts of which had been gathered
parity from rumors and partly from officials
we were called upon by Mr.. John ID. Patten,
who lives in this county, and who as far as
we know lis a respectable and up-rl ght citizen.
He informed US that he was bro Their TO one
of the prisoners. and that another brother left
this. Tuesday, morning for Sterling. MI Z.
further says that he believes that Myers was in
some way connected with the affair either as
pasticeps crimiRis or as one of the owners who
lost the stock and the reason his brother show
ed SO much fight was because OF fear of Myers.
He was greatly excited and charged culpable
negligence upon the part of our officers, in
which we have no doubt he was mistaken. Be-
fore going to press we may come into posses
sion of further facts touching this affair which
seems now to have terminated in a way
unexpected.
p. 5. Sheriff Dunnlng has telegraphed for
information as to the whereabouts of Myers,
but as yet be has received no reply. Patten
has heard nothing farther from his brother,
except that he is dangerously wounded.