Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-28
DOC. MlDDLEToH.
1t is Quite Certain that tho Noted
Niobrara Desperate Was IN
Yankt0n Saturday Night.
Arrest Of a Man Supposed to be Mid
dIeton, Who Turns Out to be
q Missouri River Steam.
boat Rooster.

It was reported in Yankton yesterday
that the noted outlaw of the Niobnrs. Doc.
Middleton, was in town. As the rumor
gained currency a considerable ripple OF ex-
element was manifested, and q determine.
ton developed to capture the celebrated
ranger and the reward which has been
placed upon him by the Nebraska author
ities. TIE county and city officers; while
properly on the alert, did not place implicit
confidence in the rumor. but Prof. Rein.
hardt of the Turn-verein, was SO confident
that the man was in town that he swore
out.la warrant before Justice Roberts, which
was placed In the hands of City Marshal
Gemmill for service. From parties who
claimed to know Middleton and to have
seen him in town be received q minute de-
scriptlon of the man,and last night between
nine and ten O'Clock succeeded In arresting
the man whomithe complainant and others
were confident was the Niobrara outlaw.
and lodged him in the calaboose. This
morning the marshal was beset by q large
number of steamboatmen who claimed that
they were we'll acquainted with the arrest
ed mar and that he has been engaged dur
ing a portion of the summer as q hand on
the steamer Dacotah, and that he arrived
from Bismarck ON that boat q few days ago. |
Rumors, however, continued rife that. Mid
dleton had been in town, and that he had
been seen by persons who were we'll &C
quainted with him. To ascertain if posi-
BILE the facts in the case, q reporter for the
Press and Dakotaian made diligent inquiry
this morning, and was informed by persons
who claim to know Middleton that he was
In town Saturday night, but beyond this no
information could be obtained. 1t is assert,
ed, and evidently with truth. that Middle
ton enjoys the friendship of every settler in
the Niobrara valley. This is accounted for
on the ground that, Notwithstanding he is
reputcd to be a murderer, an outlaw and a
horse thief, he respects the property Of set
tiers and will not himself, allow any Of
his gang 10 modest the property Of the per-
manent settlers or stock men Of the valley.
1t is even said that where property has been
to recover it and has generally been success.
full. He acts as a sort of police for the val.
ley. and scrupulously respects and protects
the property Of settlers, while he leviea
heavy tribute upon Indians and outsiders
generally. For this reason the people OF
the valley and those who have interests
there are unwilling to give him away"
claiming that if they did their property and
probably their lives would pay the forfeit.
Consequently it is very difficult to obtain
information in regard to the whereabouts
or movements of Middleton. =.
From all the Information our reporter
was able to gain he is satisfied that Middle
ton was not in the reported fight with Ne
braska detectives On Long Pine, that he
was not wounded then or since, and that
be was in town Saturday night and Sun
day morning, 1t has been rumored for q
long time that Middleton was anxious, upon
certain conditions, to surrender himself to
tie authorities and stand a trial upon the
charges that might be preferred against
him. The condition he imposed was that he
was to receive a pardon from the governor of
Nebraska for a murder said to have been
committed at or near Cheyenne. With
this crime removed it is said that he feels
confident that he could moi be convicted of
any ofense charged against him since be
has become a denlzen of the Niobrara val
ley. It was lntimated to our repor ter this
morning. that the object of Middleton's Wis
it to Yankton was for the purpose Of sur
rendering himself to the authorities, but
that he had evidently changed his mind
and would not again be heard ofin Yankton
The conclusion we have arrived at from
all the information we could obtain is tina,
Middleton was not in the fight with detec.
tives on Long Pine, that he was in Yank
ton Saturday night and Sunday morning
and that he ia not here now.
The man arrested on the sapposition tina
he was Doc. Middleton was brought befor'
Justice Roberts this afternoon for examina
ton. Upon being arraigned he stated tina
his name was James McMullin, that he ha,
lived in this country for three years, an,
that during the summer he worked at steam
boating.
VIM. Reinhardt, the complaining witnef
stated that the prisoner had been pointe
out to him a. Doc. Middleton BY a man VII
represented himself as being from the Mic
brara valley and we'll acquainted with Mic
dletdA. Upon this information he ha
sworn out q warrant.
The man Who gave Reiuhardt. the .infor
nation was in the court room and upo
being called as a witness gave his name a
A. w. johnson. Upon being sworn b
stated that he knew Doc. Middleton an
that the prisoner was not the man.
BY the court-What kind of a lookin