Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-29
The Statement Of r. W. johnson,
Backed BY Several Other
Stock Men.
He Says Doc. Middleton was No.
where near the Long Pine
Fight. and Is Alive
and Well.
The other Side OF tho Sidney Shooting
Anatr In which Middleton Figured.

On the 22d of May. two years ago, a man
about IS years of age found his way into
Sidney, Nebraska. whittier he had come
with a through trail of cattle from Texas.
After depositing his charge in safe quarters
the man in question, Doc. Middleton alias
Jack Hantord, meandered through the town
to see the sights in general and to pass an
evening of recreation and enjoyment after
many days Of fatiguing journey. The
first place which took up the notice Of the
wanderer was a dance house wherein sport
ed numbers of the frail sex of questionable
repute; also soldiers, mechanics, herders,
and in fact every known profession which
at that time held forth in the town of Sid
ney. Jack Hanford, as we will call him in
this narrative, walked slowly up to the bar
and asked to moisten his parched throat with
the ever popular beverage, "Bourbon." The
drink was handed out to him, and as he was
about to fill his glass he was accosted by a
man in military uniform and the stripes of
a sergeant on his sleeve. The following
dialogue took place between the "bully"
sergeant and two of his companions with
Jack Hanford:
Sergeant-See here, I run this 8. of b.. of
a place, and I'm going to run you, too.
Jack Hapferd-That's all right, my
friend-you can run it. All I want is to
take this drink and then go about my BUSH
ness and bring my friend with me-
In order to make this understood more
clearly, Jack had a friend who had been in
dulging somewhat in liquor that day and
was thereby considerably Supplied, and
Jack merely vent in this place to get his
friend out, for they had twenty miles more
to travel to Paxton rancho. Jack, himself,
is a nan who hardly ever INDUCES in
liquor, and very seldom takes a drink of
spirits of any kind, and the night in ques.
ten was as sober as a new born babe. But
to resume.
No sooner were the words out of Jacks
mouth when he received a blow from be.
hind with a decanter. At the same instant
he was seized from behind by the sergeant
and forced to the floor. The other brutes
in military guise, at once jumped upon him
with glasses, bottles and such ware as they
could quickly handle. Jack found himself
cornered, and tried to rise, but was prevent.
ed from doing SO by the soldiers in ques-
ton. At last he struggled to his feet, and
in making for the door to escape from his
assailants he was driven into a
corner, and there found retreat
impossible. The soldiers in the
meantime were belaboring him with blows
from all sides. He received an ugly cash
on the side of the head from which the gore
flowed freely, and was becoming very weak
from the loss of blood. He was feeling
himself going fast, yet he did not wish to
die then like a dog without any preparation
to be called before the Almighty throne,
and not until he found that he must die or
defend himself, did he draw his revolver
and fire at his antagonists, with no thought
in his mind to kill any one, but merely to
friRhten them off. The shot unfortunately
took effect upon the sergeant, his first assail-
ant. As soon as he saw what he had done
be went Immediately to the lieutenant to
give himself up. The lieutenant who had
been an eye witness to the whole affair ad.
vised him to make his escape. for if he were
to stand trial he (the lieutenant) could clear
him OF bis evidence, but the soldiers would
mob him. He therefore took the officers
and started at once for Poor's Ranch
on the upper Niobrara, where be has been
ever since, on and off, until be was married
few weeks ago.
About three or four days ago a fight took
place on Long Pine, Neb., and it was re-
ported that "Doc." was ia that MELEE. But
this is contradicted. He was not within
two. hundred miles of the fight. The detec-
lives came up to arrest Doc, but the crowd
they encountered were not of the stamp
hat "Doc" associates with. The detectives
opened on them and they as a matter of
course rctaliated, but "Doc Middleton" was
lot among them. Jack Nolan and the
'hree Wilson brothers were the parties who
we're encountered by the detectives.
What Doc Middleton wishes, is 10 have
} fair and impartial trial. He will give
himself up to the authorities if this will be
to him, and furthermore wishes
o have the trial removed from Nebraska
o Dakota. He is anxious to exonorate
aimself from the charge of murder, which
aas been nothing more than manslaughter
n self defence, as can be proven by q dozen
witnesses, who are willing to come forth
md swear to it at any time and place that
nay be desirable by the prosecuting par
lies.
Doc Middleton or Jack Hartford has
had the reputation of being a straight for
ward, sober, reliable and inoffensive citizen.
md again wishes to be classed among his
'el.ow men as such. From facts cleaned
~~n ~~o&@ @s. - - l