Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-10-16
SLAIN n the SAncTun.
Details Of the Shooting Of Col. Stay
back BY Editor Cochin.
The Victims Threats to Slap Cock
nils Face Besides Demanding
an Apology.
Cockrill's Character INDICATED by
the Proprietor Of the Post
Dispatch.
Testimony Of Colonel Cockril Before
the Coroner's Jury.

the room threw his coat back, drew a revolv-
or. and advancing, said: well, I'm here,
sir" Then observing q weapon on Coekrilrs
desk, he asked: is that for me?' Cock
rell replied: .'No, it's for use only to de-
fena myself" Slayback then said: ''You
are prepared to draw, then draw; and Cock
rill answ cred II don't have to draw.
don't want to draw; go away from here.
don't want to have any thing to do with
you"
Slayback and Clapton meantime passed
forward and crowded Cockrill against the
wall. Then they all got into a sort of tussel,
each having hold of the other, COckrill being
the most crowded. The latter asked Me-
Guffen to take ayback's pistol from him,
and while he was attempting to do so, q
weapon was discharged and Slayback stag
gered and in moment sank to the floor.
McGuffen says he did not see Clapton have
a pistol, but thought he was attempting in
his struggle with Cockrill to turn the latter
weapon in such way that he would shoot
himself McGuffen afterwards got Stay
backs pistol and now has it in his possession
w. II. Clapton, who accompanied Slayback
to the Post Dispatch, makes the following
statement: 81 was at the Office of the de-
ceased on business. When starting away
Col. Slayback called my attention to an arti-
Gle in the Post Dispatch. He spoke of re-
marks he had made at a meeting, Thursday
night, and referred to an article in a former
edition of the paper which he said justified
him in his remarks. He asked me to 60 with
him to the Office of the paper, and assented.
On the way, he said an apology for the edi-
torial would not satisfy him; that he would
slap the editors face and demand an apology
afterwards Arriving at the office, Slaybac.i
passed rapidly to the editorial room, closing
nh lraI
ress for an instant, but at once entered the
room, saw Col. Slayback in the act of re-
moving his coat. While the coat was on his
arm, heard him say Don't you draw that
pistol on me- simultaneously with the re-
mark, Cockrill fired. Col. Slayback closed
Cockrill and caught hold of him. at once
forcing his right arm against the window to
prevent his shooting again. l couldn't reach
the pistol, but caught Cockrill between the
elbow and wrist, and held him until l saw
that Slayback had been shot, when l re-
leased Cockrill and gave my attention to
Slayback, eased him to the floor, rested his
head on my knee, and held him so until he
died. Slayback did not assault COckrill un-
til after he was shot. Though then MORALLY
wounded, Slayback showed no pistol, and SO
far as know, was not armed"
New YORK, Oct H.
Joseph Pulitzer. proprietor of the Post
Dispatch is in this city, and says ''Cockrill
is managing editor and has been connected
with the Post-Dispatch three years. He is a
quiet, unassuming gentleman, of most ex-
cellent habits. One of the quietest persons
you ever knew, though perfectly fearless.
He is very popular man in st. Louis; has
many friend and no personal enemies. He
10 strictly attentive to business, and l can
only conceive that he used a revolver in self
defence; l never knew of his carry a pistol
and believe Implicitly it must have been in
self defence. Cockrilrs father was the Col
onel of one of the first Ohio regiments raised
for the war and participated in the Sherman
march to the sea, receiving the highest ecom-
iums from Sherman for his bravery and good
conduct as an officer. The Post Dispatch
has been opposing the election of James o.
BrOadhead for Congress in the 9th district Of
Missouri. Col. Slayback was a partner of
Broadhead and took up the quarrel. Per-
sonally have been on the best of terms with
Slayback. Of course I deplore the event
most deeply and know nothing of the circum-
stances which led to it, except that Slayback
made personal speech Wednesday, against
the Post Dispatch, and its editors, and that
he went to the Post Office armed. and in
company of friend. 1t is dreadful thing"
ST.. Louis, Oct IA.
Nothing Of special note has transpired to-
day regarding the deplorable death of Col
Slayback at the hands of Col. Cockrill last
evening. The latter was in consultation
with his counsel, ex-Lieut. Gov. Chas. P.
johnson, Joseph Lodge and Chas. +. Joy,
until after midnight at the house Of Lodge,
when word was sent to the chief of police
that Cockrell would surrender himself about
l o'clock. At that hour Col. Campbell,
chief of police, appeared at the designated
place, took COckrill in his buggy, drove to
the four courts and consigned him to a cell.
Cockrill has made no statement further then
that he acted in self defense and had he not
shot Col. Slayback he would have been
shot himself. Preparations were made to
commence an inquest at o'clock this after
noon, and testimony is now being taken.
Opinion 10 much divided in regard to the
matter and probably will remain so until the
facts Of the case are made public.
Inquest on the remains of Col. Stay back
was continued until after dark. VIM. H.
Clapton, who accompanied Col. Slayback to
the Post Dispatch office, testified to about
the same effect as his statement telegraphed,
saying distinctly that Col. Slayback was
in the act of taking his coat of and repeat
ing his former statement that Slayback was
not armed, and, therefore, could not have
drawn a revolver. Other principal witnesses
were Jno. NJ. McGuffin, business manager.
and Victor T. Cole. foreman, who were in
the room when the shooting took place
Their testimony did not differ materially
from their statements telegraphed. Both
testified emphatically that Slayback drew a
revolver IS soon as he entered the room !;
that he and Clapton advanced on Cockrill.
the former holding his pistol At short aim
and pointing toward Cockrill; that Cockrill
uttered words and gave the warning tele.
graphed; that . quick, brief tussel took
place; that Cockrill fred; that Clapton
closed with Cockrill and only released his
hold of him when McGufin placed the pistol
he had taken from Slayback to his (Clop-
ton's) head and told him to desist or he was
dead man. McGufin produced the pistol
he took from Slayback, . pearl-handled re-
vslver of the British build and pattern of SO
calibre. 1t shows signs of having been
worn in warm weather, the cylinder being
rusted by Precipitation.
Mr.. Cole produced Col. Csckrilrs pistol.
1t is . black handled Smith { Wesson revolt
yer, 10 calibre. Several other vitnesse,
were examined, but their testimony vas not
material.
Col. Cockrill then read . statement under
oath, the substance of which 10: That at q
reception 1t the rooms Of the Elks Club, Of