The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-05-19

A correspondent Of the st. Louis
Globe Democrat writes from Coushatta.
La, May 81 The particulars Of the
shooting of Senator w. II. Twitchel.
and the killing of his brother-n-law.
George II. King, will doubtless prove
of interest TO the readers OF the
Globe Democrat. AT quite an early
hour this morning a stranger was
noticed riding into town. His peculiar
attire and appearance attracted consid-
cradle attention. The collar Of his
rubber overcoat was turned up, and the
rim Of his soft felt hat turned down.
He also wore green goggles, and il was
his evident intention to conceal as much
of his face as possible. He was spoken
TO by several citizens during the morn
ing, but allowed no one 10 get a good
look at his features. The stranger was
shooter. lie visited the blacksmith
shop, and, after asking the price Of
shoeing, said that his brother would be
along soon, and that he would wait
for him before deciding wheth-
er he would have heavy or
light shoes put on his horse. He said
that he would sit by the window Of the
shop until his brother came. This win.
dow commanded view of the river for
some distance up and down, and there
he remained for some time-an hour or
two-and was spoken to by several par
ties, to whom he replied in such man
ner as 10 imply that he did not care to
converse, and at no time did he uncover
his face fully. About 9 o'clock Senator
Twitchell and his brother-in-law, G.. A.
King, rode down to the ferry on the OPP
posite shore and prepared to cross. The
stranger mounted his horse and slowly
logged towards the point where the skin
must land, and when the skiff had reach
ed the middle of the river he was one
hundred yards from the landing. The
man dismounted, tied his horse and
walked towards the river bank in care.
less manner. As the skiff struck the
bank, or landing, he commenced fir
ing upon the party with his rifle. The
first shot missed, the second struck one
Of Twichell's arms. King had by this
time drawn his pistol, and WAS firingin
return, when the stranger changed his
fire and killed King, who fell in the
boat. The negro who was rowing had
managed to get lie skiff 30 or 40 feet
from the bank by this time, and
Twitchell jumped overheard and hung
to the side of the skiff with his remain
ing arm, and was struggling to protect
himself with a board. The stranger,
however, kept up the shooting with
clock-work precision, and managed TO
break Twitchell's other arm, and he
drifted away from the boat, helpless
and drowning. AT this time Gen
Mudgett, who was awaiting the return
of the skiff to cross, commenced firing
at the stranger, but did not hit him, and
he apparently paid no attention to him.
Several persons in town had run over
To see what was the matter
and had been ordered back.
Finally the stranger walked
towards his horse, reloaded his rife,
mounted, and was about leaving. when
he saw the negro boy pulling Twtchell
dy who stood on the bank. He rode TO
the bank and again commenced firing,
this time with his revolver. One shot
hit Twitchell in the leg and another
struck the negro in the hand. The lady
begged of the man 10 desist, but appar-
emily he paid no attention to her. The
lady asked the negro if Twitchell was
dead, and upon his replying in the af-
tirmative, the stranger turned and rode
out of town. He passed several parties
who knew nothing of che shooting, but
their attention was attracted TO him for
the reason that he kept them covered
with his six-shooter until he had pass
ed them some distance. Meanwhile
the negro had reached the bank from
whence they had started. Twitchell