The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1877-01-04
Another Fatal Occurrence.

Our city was on New Years night, the scene
OF one of those sudden, distressing and fatal
occurrences, the first recital Of which sends
the blood back upon the heart and pales the
cheek OF the ktoutest listener, and wherein a
life at full tide was cut short of and the spirit
of its possessor sent unheraded back to its
author. Sylvester Powell. for some time past
in the employ OF the Southwestern Stage Com
pany as the driver Of the city buses, in COM
pany with Albert Singleton, was making a
day OF it on New Years In spirit of reck-
lessness and venture. the two took possession
of K. r. Dennison's pony which was standing
in front of Mayor Hopes, sometime in the af-
ternoon. He spoke TO them in a jocular way,
when Powell picked up neck yoke and struck
Dennison a wicked and severe blow upon his
arm, disabling it. Following this, Singleton
menacingly told Dennison that it wouldn't be
healthy for him to make any complaint of the
outrage, whereupon Dennison had Powell
arrested and conveyed by the City Marshal,
Michael Meagner, to the city calaboose. Later
in the evening, W. A. Brown, the passenger
agent of the Stage Company, paid his line
and procured his release. No sooner was
he free than Powell made dire threats
Against the life of Meagher. swearing that he
would put daylight through him on sight.
Meeting Policeman AcIvor about O'Clock in
front OF Hopes, Powell inquired for Mcagher,
accompanying the inquiry with the assertion
that Mike had spent his last day on earth, or
words to that effect. But few moments af-
forward he discovered the Marshal at the wa
ter-eloset in the rear OF Hopes saloon when,
without werd, ne pulled a revolver and. in
the uncertain light of the moon, commenced
shooting: one shot taking effect in Meagher's
leg below the knee, and another passing
through the breast OF his coat. The few feet
that separated them was closed in a moment,
and while Meagher was attempting to wrench
the weapon from the maddened mans grasp,
it was discharged again, the bail grazing Mea-
gher's hand. thence through window and IN
to the casing Of an inside door to the sample
room. Powell broke away and ran around
into the alley between the New York and Gen.
tennial Blocks. Meagher ran around the front
way encountering Powell in front Of Chas.
| Hills drug store when, without waiting Ter
any more attempts upon his life, he raised his
pistol and shot once The ball took effect in
Powers heart and he fell and died without
struggle, victim OF bis own murderous rash
ness. Coroner Munger being notified soon'af-
ter, a jury consisting of L. J. jenkins. Nj. X.
Moser. Mr.. Dabertz, Harry Vantrees. VIII
Crawford and Squire Fitzgerald, was empan-
geled who found the cause OF death as above
stated.
Powell has mother brother and sister and
other relatives living in Lawrence in this
State. also a brother living in st. Louis, who
were teegraphed TO at once, and some OF
whom Will doubtless reach here to-day,
Wednesday. Powclrs confederate, Singleton,
was missing soon after the fray. Powell was
young man OF ordinarily quiet habits, but it
is said perfect demon when excited by drink,
as the police of the city, as well as the inmates
of certain houses, eau testify. he remarked
an hour or so before the fatal meeting, to one
of the police force, that should any OF their
number meet him that night at a given house
or in any way interfere with him, that such an
one would never see the light OF another day.
The assertion has been made twice in our
hearing that the deceased had killed two men.
one with pair of brass knuckles.
In all the trying and exceedingly dangerous
positions into which Mr.. Meagber has bsen
thrown rs an officer in times past, he never
before resorted to arms to protect his own life.
During the earlier days Of our town when it
was infested with bands of known despera-
does and murderers, and upon occasions when
deadly weapons were cooked and leveled
within foot OF his face, he always succeeded
by his imperturbable GOODNESS to not only
come of without 4 scratch, but to hold and
conflne his assaiants without resort TO deadly
means. and although we have neither seen or
talked to him since the fatally sad rencounter
of Monday night, from our knowledge OF the
mans character we know he regrets as much
a. any one, the sad issue.
An examination was set to be heard before
Squire Mitchell on Tuesday evening and again
on yesterday morning, but as no one appeared
against the Marshal we suppose that ends it.
We should have said that Powell broke
loose from Meagher he shot at him the fourth
time, which shot was returned by Meagher as
he ran.