The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-05-14
THE MURDER.

Madrid on the twelfth instant, and to which
reference was made in letter published in
yesterdays BULLETIN:
"Four men, named Rhoades, Meyers,
Hamilton and Brown. had formed secret
organization for purposes unknown to any
one save themselves, but now generally
supposed to have been robbery and outlaw
ry, and by accident let their plans become
known to William Knox, who not beng in
sympathy with them, gave them away,
whereupon they concluded TO kill him, and
on last Monday night visited his house
for that purpose. Knox succeeded in
evading them 10y disappearing through
back door. The other inmates of the house
becoming alarmed at the threats of the four
men, also attempted to make their escape,
but were fired upon, one shot taking effect
in the legs of man who had an infant in
his arms. Three shots also struck the in
FAINT IN the legs and body. The scoundreIs
also fired at one of the women as she ran
| through the orchard, but without effect.
They then remained around Knox's house
until daylight, when they left, taking the
direction the man had run whom they had
shot. They had gone but short distance
when they found the wounded child lying
on the ground. They took it back to the
house and dressed Its wounds. They then
proceeded in search OF the wounded man.
They soon found and also assisted him
back 10 the house and called neighbor :,
whom they instructed to attend to the
wounds. Early Tuesday morning Knox
swore out warrant for the arrest
Of the four men and had it
placed in the hands of the consta-
bic, who proceeded to perform that duty.
Finding the quartet, the constable was
promptly and coolly informed that they
would not be arrested by him, but after
some conversation they consented to go,
telling him to lead the way and they would
follow. After proceeding some distance
they changed their minds, and turning in to
the woods ran off and were not seen any
more until yesterday morning. The sheriff
of New Madrid county, being notified,
went with posse Of ten or twelve men to
the scene of action, which was near Baynes
store, ten miles below Sikeston. The sher.
If and his party stopped at Baynes store,
and while there saw the four men coming
down the main road to them, and discover
| ing who they were mounted their horses
and gave chase. The quartet seeing
the officers advancing took to the
woods and concealed themselves
in the brush. In about an
hour the sheriff and his men came upon
them concealed behind log, the first init
nation they had Of their proximity being
a voley of buckshot fired into the party,
instantly killing one of the deputies, Rob't
LaForge, and wounding another, Albert
Hunter. The sheriff 8 party returned the
| fire, and for several minutes regular bat,
tie ensued, but the ambush gave the out.
| laws such an advantage as to force the OH
GERS back, leaving the murdered man,
LaForge, on the ground. The desperadoes
quickly relieved him Of his money, jewels
and pistols, and then retreated. The sher-
| if g party soon rallied, and with on increas-
cd force of forty men continued the pursuit.
Early in the afternoon they found one Of
the desperadocs, Rhoadcs, who had been
so badly wounded as to be unable to travel,
and took him prisoner. Rhoades' state
ment Is that his comrades, finding him shot,
through the leg and in the fsce, concluded
that they would be unable to escape with
him. Leaving him one pistol, they sent
him to the house OF widow woman and
told him to do the best he could Tor him
tclf, and then deserted him. lie was kept
under guard until he escaped, but
was soon afterwards found in stable
hanging by the neck to the rafters. Inc
sheriff and party are still hunting the o'''er
three, but had not discovered their where-
abouts at u late hour. The dosperaooeS arc
armed with double. barreled shot-guhs ana
four shooters each, and arc determined not
On ho tain, alive The whole community
is in a terrible state of excitement, young
Latorgc having large and influential t!.. cir
o =, nav NJ, Madrid have offered reward Of
Snno s"r the three desperadocs. These are
t vWSy facts ns near ~ they can be obtained
NJ r,cscnt. there being 30 many conflicting
nn,,s under the excitement" Rs