Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-08-24
SELF-DEFENSE.
William Collins Examined for Killing
William Nolan aud Discharged.
lDeadwood Pioneer. August ls,h.l


A very lengthy and thorough cxsmina,
tion Of Vim. Collins, the man who sho, aad
killed VIM. Nolan at ]fuxlcy's hay ranch,
on the Belle Fourche, August %. was held
before his honor, Justice Barker Thursday
afternoon. commencing at l O'Clock and
concluding at 6 O'Clock. The prosecution
was very ably conducted ali through by
District Attorney Flannery, and the defense
sustained by John w. Nowlin, ESQ, of
Crook City. Eight witnesses, all very in.
telligent, comprehensive men. were nut
through a very careful examination, the
substance Of the testimony of each fully
corroborating that Of the others The
facts. as ELECTED from the examination and
the statement Of the prisoner, unmistaka-
bly, justified the homicide, as we'll as estab.
fishes the fact that the man Nolan made an
almost demoniscal attempt to assassina,e
Collins. The true story of the affair is
briefly this: Colline. Nolan and others had
been employed on the ranch as co.laborers.
and on the night of August l, were assem-.
bled In q tent talking about wrestling. Du.
ring the course Of the conversation. Nolan
and Farrell wagered $50 on . match, bu,
after getting the money up, the men who
were to wrestle would not do so, and the
money was Withdrawn, and the men, Col.
Inns, Nolan. Farrell and Parker, retiring 10
bed, Farrell throwing his pants, containing
$45, upon the outside of his blankets.
Waking in the morning Farrell discovered
that his pocketbook and Parker were gone.
Shortly after Nolan left the tent, and Col.
Inns expressed his opinion that the man
Parker had taken the money, while Farrell
said Nolan was the man. Some time after
Nolan came in with Parker, and gave Mr..
Huxley the money, saying that Collins had
accused him Of theft, and he would go and
kill the - Of 49," Huxley im.
mediately went aud told Collins of
the threat. and said: Look out,
for Nolan is coming after you for a fu.s.''
Collins then left the hay camp and went to
the stacks to work TO avoid Nolan, but the
latter followed him with . six shooter.
Collins then went to the stockade, saw he
was still followed, and started on for Mr.
Whitehead's camp above. Still being fol.
lowed by Nolan, Collins started to return;
was met in . threatening manner BY Nolan,
who said did you say that l took tina,
money" Collins replied that he did not
but had said all the time that Parker had
taken it, and said, "Nolau we should no,
quarrel, we should be friends Nolan,
then drew his revolver. leveled it and said,
" believe l will kill YOU any way" where
upon Collins started back still having hi:
gun in his hands. But = few steps had been
taken when Nolan caught up with him and
commenced beating him over the head with
the pistol and in the struggle that ensued
seized the under lip of Collins with his
teeth and bit it nearly from the face. Col.
Inns, freeing himself, started to run, wheu
Nolan raised his pistol and leveled it
Collins quickly drew up the rifle and both
fired and missed. Collins then hurried L
the ,tockade, followed by Nolan still point
ing the cooked pistol 1t him. After reach
ing the cabin door, inside the stockad., in ,
bloody and mangled condition, he saw Nolan
with the pistol still cooked, evidently tryins
TO get = shos n him from the ounide. AM
grabbing his gun again he fired through
an aperture and Nolan fell. Collins ,,er
proceeded to Crook City, vent before Jus,ic,
Watts, asked Al examination, WAS ~releavet
on his y recogniaance, and after wsitin,
a day md a halt proceeded 10 Bismarck ant
told the affair to his employer. but did no
Mtemp, 10 lcase,he country or conceal him
veil. He was here arrested and brouch
in for trial, and AFTER this thorough cxa,ni
nation. and the arguments Of the attorneys
the prisoner was rightly discharged from
custody No twelve az even six mcu i,
the territory eoak have be<n Goand to hrin
In . verdict 81 murder ar snan.lanshicy IN
ass us onumsaances. end Iuasice Raskss'
The crop prs~F<ch Of Crest RfsAia 10 q
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