The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1880-02-21
Houston Tex Daily Telegran.l

4
Houston (Tex.,) Daily Telegram.l
| A dispatch was received BY Sheriff
Noble yesterday from a gentleman at
Lake Charles, La, briefly setting forth
the killing Of Matt. Woodlief at that
place. No particulars are given, nor
whether he was accidentally killed orr
died by the hand Of some antagonists
in deadly conflict.
The dispatch is as follows:
LAKE CHARLES, La, Feb. II.
To Con. Noble
Matt. Woodlief was killed at III
o'clock to-day. JcHN CARsoN.
The deceased was well known in
this part Of the state, and latterly at
tanned a wide notoriety. Originally
of an old and respectable family, Of
fine physique and mind that might
have fitted him for engaging the at
tention Of listening senators, with all
the advantages Of education, and be-
ing reared in good home and among
numerous friends, Woodlief gave heed
to the voices Of the syrcns, and, from
one step to another, was finally wreck
ed on the sea Of wine and women,
which have wrecked and ruined thou
sands on thousands of others. From
whisky he became a professional de-
votee of the gambling tables.
KILLS a MAN IN SOUTH TEXAS.
Several years ago, and while stop
ping in small town In southern
Texas, Woodlief became involved in a
difficulty with citizen Of the place.
They met in the street in front Of the
principal hotel Of the place. Wood
lief was armed, and as the dispute
eliminated he drew his pistol and
inquired Of his antagonist If he were
also armed, The reply was no, ~Then
60 and arm and defend yourselfl"
said Woodlief, who quietly awaited
the return Of his enemy. The latter
in a few seconds came out of the
hotel, armed and ready for the fray,
But Woodlief was too fast for him,
and "getting the drop" fired. Almost
simultaneously with the crack of the
pistol his victim fell and rolled in the
sand--a corpse. To make assurance
loubly sure, however, Woodlief walk
ID up to his foe and shot ball into
his head, which went crashing through
The pnlseless brain.
wooDLIEF's DUEL WITH MARSHAL
81
ilRIoHsoN,
But the scrape which brought this
nan into unenviable notoriety in this
'ity was his attack on Mr.. Alexander
Erickson, on Main street, year or two
lgo, Mr., Erickson was at the time
Jity Marshal, and had occasion to
Irrest Woodlief for disorderly conduct,
md conducted him to the station
'ouse. Woodlief charged that the
MARSHAL abused him, and swore VEN
,eance. Going to the hardware store
70 purchased first-class large calibre
evolyer, remarking that it would
nswer the purpose for which he was
uying it. Erickson was warned BY
is friends to be on his guard and
hat he might either have to fight On
lse leave the streets. The latter, be-
~ brave man, he declined to do,
ut, in the meantime, prepared himself
or trouble. The two met at corner
{ Main and Preston streets, and it was
aimed before the courts that Wood
Of first drew his pistol and fired the
rst shot. Many more We're fired and
] rapid succession. Woodlief, adj
snccd on Erickson, who kept oA
ring at his assailant till he was down
I'd disabled, shat through the thigh
I'd with the bone broken. Woodlief
50 fell shot through the hip, tho
one being broken. Both men were
lrried off by their friends, neither
ortally wounded but both 70 become
ipples for life An indignation
eeting was held in Gray's hall, and
1oodlief would undoubtedly have
Zen lynehed had Erehisoa's injuries
owed fatal.
After this Woodlief, being under
dictment, left and roamed around
0 coAntry but was finally arrested
d brought back. He was tried for
sault to commit murder but was
qnitteds
Il is not too much Ia say that the
ath Of Woodlief will arouse but lit
regret in this community, where II
II rather be considered y riddanco
-.