Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-15
AN AFFAIR Al pEMsINA.
Ia Attempted Arrest of Texas Train
Robber Results In the Death or the
RObber and the Officer.

hoDOer Results lnpthe Death OF the
Robber and the Officer.
Correspondence of tile st. Paul Pioneer Press
Pembina, D IT, Nov. 8, lS7S.-The usual
quiet of town was disturbed this evening
shortly after 5o'clock, by q tragedy which
took place in the Office Of Charles Cavilier,
esq, postmaster. The particulars are as
follows:
This morning a United States marshal
from Dallas, Texas, named w. H. Anderson,
arrived here in pursuit of the notorious Bill
Coliins, who, for some weeks past, has been
in this county working on q. threshing ma
chine, under. the name Gael. Upon bis ar
rival here, Anderson made himself known
to the authorities of this place, showing his
credentials, ETC., but for prudent reasons did
not show himself. 1t haviag been ascertain
ed that Collins was at work. In a saloon quite
close to the international boundary line
at West Lynn, Sheriff Brown, of this conn
~, in company with Deputy Marshal ind
son Lamoure proceededas for as the boundary
line to the soloon Of Messrs. White & Son.
brer, where they found Collins. but as the
latter kept his position behind the counter.
ana as they were not quite certain as to their
man. and as they did not wish to excite his
suspicion, it was deemed better to wait
tor a more favorable opportunity.
Inc Opportunity, presented itself this
evening shortly after s O'clock, when Sher-
III Brown of this county saw Collins on
ms way to the post office. The sheriff
notlned WE. Babcock, express agent here
mat collins was on his way to the post.
ouce. MI. Babcock. who was not known
70 Coilins. and whose appearance would
MOI e4cite suspicion cndeavored TO over.
tase Cotlins before be reached the post.
omce, Win the view of apprising Marshal
emerson, who was then in the postofice.
WI. bascocK 10 whom your reporter is in.
ueo.ea ior this account of the affair, says
ana. Eolllns must have been suspicious of
AID reached the postofice before M Rah.
cock could overtake him. In the meantime
marshal Anderson was in the nostofica
sitting at the extreme right Of The room
taking With Mr.. Cravilier. the postmaster
VINO sat opposite to him. As soon as Col
ms entered the marshal at once recognized
MN ana ordered him to throw up his hands
JUST as MI. Babcock entered the pos,ofice
oooi, !he detective at the same time pre-
senling his pistol within SIX inches of the
IoopeI heart. Collins partly threw uD his
na ao, MT. Babcock catching hold of Col.
ms, lett hand and holding it. The de-.
tectlve, upon ordering Collins 10 throw
up MS hands, said, "Now, Bill. I don !
want to shoot, but keep up your hands "
though partly obeyinq the order. Collins
managed to get hold of his revolver and
was 10 the act of bringing it out from his
breast, when the marshal fred. the sh,t
taxing effect q little above the left minnie
ana proving fatal. As the shot was fired
the marshal backed towards the hall dior.
way OF the office, and while he was doina
30 Coiilns brought his own revolver onii
ared shots; the first shot missed
1ls marx and vent crashing through q win.
loM OPPOSITE the door: the second. how
svel. took fatal effect upon the detective.
oasslng through his heart. The officer feli
' almosl simultaneously, while the robber I
eli edwards, bis body lying partly in
lno paTtly out Of the entrance door to the !
,ostoulce. The position of the parties at I,
ne zone OF the shooting was as follows.
ne detective was q little, to the. right Of
1e entrance door, 10 shout the centre of :
ne postoince; Collins was near the door. :
MT Ba6cock to the left of Collins : :
'ololng Tue latter's left arm, As soon a. :
NC nsrsnal nred he commenced backing
owalGs the doorway leading into the Doste
lasteIs private apartment, and had he'll
one oIt . step OF i've farther he would
ave escaped. MI. Babcock states that the
why the marshal did not fire a seq v
10 shot was that he knew his frat shot n
taken. fatal effect, and that he wonld 7
robably get out of danger of any shot from \
olllns, but here he miscalculatcd. Win T
lat desperation known only Is desperate q
zen, Collins managed to level his revolver i
as he was falling, and shot bis can F
ID "ILh an Q70nro1u4 -ls-S 2 =
edible. 1 ~ '
As the occurrence took place in less time I
an it takes to describe il, nothing could be Il
to save the marshal. M. B.bcock y
as unarmed, and had on a heavy oyercoat, 8
ID could not under the circumstances Al. !,
'rt the shot. Collins was a man fully six !.
high, probably about IS years Of age, I
? Doth face, complexion somewhat yellow. :
b, and was identified by a deep scar o n his 4
in. He has been working hereabouts for '
weeks, and those who worked wi,hJ +
m say he was a good worker. quiet and in Il
way talkative. The unfortunate officer =
lost bis. life in the. discharge of his dn. :;
y, was Of medium height, light compler. >
ned, and had come hi,her all the wav from
alias to make the arrest. y
Collins was a most desperate character. .
e Is we'll known in Kansas and Texas az a :
ost desperate man. He has committed b
any murders, and for a long time has been D