Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-04-13
SLAUGHTER'S DEATH.
the Murderous
Attack on a Cheyenne Stage.
tDeadwood Pioneer, March all

tOe21wood Pioneer, March III,
The present week was ushcred in hy
one of the saddest events, and most
daring of ont1ages, that it is has been
our duty to chronicle since the settle
ment OF Dsadwood.- On last Sunday
night about II o'clock, as the coach
from Cheyenne was nearing town, FIVE
maskea robbers, or road agents, were
awaiting its approach a short distance
above the arasta, near the mouth Of
Gold Run. The coach contained 10 pas
sengers, AMI The driver john Slaughter
On top were seated Mr.. Her and Mr..
f. Phillips, the other eight occupying
seats within. Some of the passengers
observed five men walking ahead of
the coach, being a very light and
beautiful night, the curtains were up.
Three Of the men were on one side Of
the road and two on the other. Mr..
Lake one Of the passengers was seated.
in the centre Of the cWch, ana being
crowded, KEEP. the door open,> and had
his feet outside. Mr. Wnstum, wha.
occupied the other side, saw two men
coming from the brush, and as they
approached, cried hold On, and com.
menced firing Immediately. AT the
same time q masked robbsr on the
left thrust two pistols in the face Of
Mr.. Lake, who Immediately let go his
hold Of the door, showed it open, and
grasped one OF the pistols presented
at him. lnstantancously the robber
fred both weapons, but Mr.. l.. still
continued his hold, aud III the struggle
was pulled cut Of the coach. While
falling the robbcr fired twice. An.
ether Of the ttllfe party HE ttiittss
fred shot gun hitting the driver
John Slaughter who fell TO the ground
dead. The same charge struck Mr..
ller on ths left elbow, passing along
his hand, and tearing off the sleeve of
his oyercoat, woundlng the side of the
hand, and taking off the end Of his
little finger. The ruffians on the
right side OF the coach thrust therein
1.-TWO pistols, and commenced firing,
/ three shots lodging in the side OF the
door. Mr.. Smith, OF Denver, had his
face badly marked with powder, aud
one ball passing over his shoulder, tore
his coat, but fortunately caused no
further damage. The horses took
/ fright and ran. Mr. Her fell from the,
drivers seat at the same time Slaugh.
ter received his death wound, but re-
covering himself, followed the coach
closely. The horses ran. about half u
mile and stopped, Ar. Her quietly
coming up with them. Mr.. Lake was
left behind, and was surrounded by
the road agents, who stopped firing
at the coach, and gathering around
him, presented their pistols, and or.
dered him to throw npshis hands. He
Ibid SO, and'said, ayou can baye any,
thing have got" They demanded.
his money, but With great presence oi
mind and GOODNESS he said he had
none. The sane demand was repeat.
ed, Mr., L. replied 81 have just arrived
i from Cheyenne, and am broke, if you
lido not believe me, YOU can search
me-" Oae of the party stepped to.
wards him. Mr.. l.. had bel. OF car.
tridges around his waist aud went ia
unbuckle it, when one OF the others
cried take your hands off your belt .
4 He did SO and threw 1t towards them.
! they again asked for money. lie re.
Piled by saying he did not have cen,
and requested them once more te
search him but no one approached OF
seemed inclined to 80 SO. Four q
{ the gang consulted apart for a, lew
mp,nents, when one Of the nuln5er
threw the belt back to Mr.. Lake a.ad
told him be could go. He took Il
buckletat around him, and say ing goof
night, started down the road. Hs
Kept IN the brush about thirty yard.
{ looking back carefully, and watch M
the robbers. who wended their wa,
|, up the hill. Firen be reached dht
road he ran about three hundred yards
then slacsaucd his pace, aud pro
eeediEg about half mile iaTthes
saw the coach. He sesssere .fuua1
ali the passengers, none missing
saving the poor victim, Slaughter. NE
tttsr took chssge' otshs .esm and sirovs
II "