The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1880-02-22
WHY HE DIED.
OF M'C1NNIs' DEATH.
He Tells n PIaintive story TO His
Captor, Begs for q Chew of To-
bacco. and Makes n bad
Break for Liberty.

e-((e "
Break for Liberty.
In yesterdays issue OF the LEADER
we briefly stated the fact of the killing
of j. J.. McGinnis, the notorious keeper
of a Fence" and headquarters for
horse thieves, twelve miles above Fort
Laramie, by Benjamin Morrison. dep
uty sheriff, who had him under arrest.
With a view to obtaining additional
particulars of the circumstance, a
LEADER representative interviewed
Mr.. Morrison at his hotel yesterday.
1t will be remembered that we stated
on yesterday morning that Mr. Nor
rison is cattle inspector, and wasadepu-
tiled for the purpose Of arresting Nc
Ginnis, who was again charged with
selling liquor without iicense.
Mr.. Morrison said he had been
warned as to McGinnis' bad record
and told TO be careful of himself and
keep a close eye on his prisoner, 80 he
prepared himself accordingly for the
task. On reaching Fort Laramie he
saw McGinnis, whom he did not ex-
pect to see until he reached McGinnis'
ranch. He at once ''held up" MEG,
and told him that none Of his old tricks
would be tolerated. MEG. yielded as
gracefully as he could, but still showed
a vicious feeling beneath his smiles.
On Thursday morning about 8 O'Clock
Morrison left Laramie for Cheyenne
with his prisoner, each having a good
horse. MEG. was not ironed, but rode
free. He chatted pleasantly along the
way and, during the afternoon, began
a recital of his life, telling of his wife
and four children, and of the ways to
which he resorted in order to make a
living, etc. He remarked that his
horse was growing lazy, and asked
Morrison for his quirt (short whip.
the depth of which request stamps him
as a schemer, as was shown by his at
tempt to escape.
MEG. seemed dispirited; he feared he
would be hanged upon reaching Chey-
enne, although Morrison assured him
that such would not be the case.
Yes" said MEG, firmly, they
ioiH hang me-"
Late in the aft rnoon he asked Nor
rison for a chew of tobacco, and the
latter fell behind a brief distance while
getting the weed out of his pocket.
Just then MEG. struck his horse
sharply with the quirt. and the animal
plunged into a gallop, McGinnis saying
meanwhile, SID just rs soon take my
chances with you here as to go down to
be hung by that mob"
Morrison spurred his animal into a
and pulling his six shooter,
called on MEG. to stop, falling in which,
Ben fired a wild shot; again calling on
MEG. to stop, he fired a second shot.
Ben's horse wheeled around at both
and McGinnis was gaining
ground, being about fifty feet away.
Morrison then fred the third shot and
McGinnis threw UP his right arm and
fell heavily to the ground, moving
neither limb nor muscle. When Nor
rison reached him he found his pris-
oner dead, the fatal bullet having en-
tered the back Of the head neal the left
ear and passed through, coming out Of
the right cheek.
Morrison carried the body to a bank
close by, and covered it with the saddle
blanket of the horse rode by McGinnis.
Morrison came down to Goodell's
ranch, about five miles below, and told
them of the circumstance. The cow
boys agreed to take out a box and bury
the body on the spot, to prevent it's
mutilation by the wolves,.: and still
have it ready to be removed when
wanted.
McGinnis was about As years old, of
light build, and a desperate character.
He had n vicious looking countenance
which never failed to betray his true
disposition.
Mr.. Morrison, as w have said, is a
cattle inspector in this county. He is
of medium stature, heavy set,and wears
an open, generous c~ountenance. In de-
pertinent he is calm, and speaks with an
air of honesty that is convincing. He
much regrets the killing of McGinnis,
and is sorry that necessity impelled the
shooting. He did not intend to kill
MEG. and was astounded when the lat
ter fell dead.
Coroner Lee and Mr.. Morrison will
depart this morning for the scene of the
killing, disinter the body and hold an
inquest on the spot. As Mr.. Morrison
will be the only witness, our readers,
having all the testimony that viii be
given, car themselves judge what will
be the verdict of the coroner's jury.
A New Insurance Agency.
Addoms & Glover's Syrup will allevi-
ate n cough at once, and frequently
save life. j25-tf