New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-14
ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE TRAGEDY.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE TRAGEDY.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCH.l
ST. LOUIS, Oct 13.-The business part ef this city
was thrown into a state of high excitement about
half-past o'clock this evening by report which
few from street to street and block 10 block with
great rapidity that John A. Cockrill. managing edi
tor Of The Post Dispatch had shot and killed Colonel
A. w. Slayback prominent lawyer and we'll
known politician of this city. The particulars OF
how the shooting occurred cannot be stated
at this writing, no one directly con-
cerned III the matter will make statement.
Henry W. Moore. city editor of the paper, who
was sitting at his desk writing, says that while
Colonel Cockrill, John NJ. McGuffin business man
ager and Victor T. Cole, foreman. were holding
business conference in the editorial room Colonel
Slayback accompanied by w. H. Clapton, entered
the "local" room, and passed on toward
the editorial room, the door to which was
closed. Mr.. Moore turned in his chair, and they
passed by He observed that Colonel Slayback as
he opened the door with his left hand had his right
hand in his pistol pocket. In less than half min
ute after Slayback entered CockrPs room Moore
heard the report of pistol. He Immediately sprang
up, and on entering the editorial room
found Slayback stretched the floor
and Cockril bending him apparently
wiping blood from his face. Cockrlll asked Moore
TO send for q physician, which he did. and few
moments later DR.. McCarty arrived, but not until
Slayback was dead, he having died about three
minutes after being shot
Meanwhile Cockrill washed his hands, and in
less than five minutes after the fatal shot fred
he and McGu fin entered carnage and drove
away. 1t vas said they went to the -Four
Courts and surrendered to the Chief of
Police. but subsequent inquiry proved
that such was not the case and it is not yet known
where Cockril is. Colonel Slayback's brother,
Charles Z. Slayback, president OF the Merchants
Exchange, was ar once informed Of the sad event,
and he gave directions for the disposal of the body,
which was sent to the dead mans home.
The bali from CocLrlls pistol entered Slay-
backs left side near the heart, and ranged up
ward, Whether 1t entered the heart is not known,
but it must have penetrated the funGs. An i'm
Office and remained there until long after dark
The deplorabe affair seems TO have grown
out Of the publication of an editorial by Ihe Post-
dispatch this evening stating that Colonel Slay-
back IN speecb at a political meeting IN the
XVJIIth Ward last night applied str. 2, vile and
Yirueut cpihets 10 The Post Iispdch and ITS con
ductOTs. making charges which he knew 10 be lie
In retaliation for this, the paper reproduced a
card published about year ago by John u. Glover,
n well-knOWE yOnug lawyer, III which the writer
charges Colonel clay back with cOwardice.
A TALK WITH THE EDITOR OF THE PAPER.
Joseph Pulitzer, the editor of the POST Dispatch,
who in this city business connected with his
paper, was seen last night at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel by a TRIBUNE, reporter. He said that the
news of the affair had greatly shocked and aston
isbed him.
:" have not heard any Of the particulars" said
he Of the fight itself, but have been informed of
the causes that led to it. Some time ago. John NJ
Clover lawyer of St. Louis, made ferocious per-
sonal attack upon Mr.. Slayback in card which
came very nearly TO being published i'll my paper
In fact it did get III the first edition. but stopped
I,oI - of II
of too violent nature, l thought. Well.
the matter slumbered. and as Slayback took
no notice of the publication in the first edl-
tiOn / supposed it forgotten. My paper
has taken ground against James o. BrOadhead
the law partner of Slayback, who is running for
Congress on the Democratic ticket. This action in
censed Slayback against the paper. My informa-
tion is that last night in public speech he bitterly
denounced the paper its editors, conduc-
tors and reporters. l suppose that as a
response to this. i'll this afternoons edi-
ton of The POst-DispatcR, Cocknll republishcd
Gloyel's card. Soon after o'clock Slayback, Ill
company with friend a lawyer named Clopton,
who has something of fighting reputation in the
city, having cowhided another lawyer last wee k,
went to Mr.. Cockrill's room with drawn pistols,
aud the struggle ensued in which Slayback
lost his life. 1t is the SOteldo-
Barton affair of Washington over again.
This is all the information which have received
far. but am expecting reply every hour. to a dis
patch sent asking If Cockriil was injured"
"What are the rep pItations of COckrlll and Slay-
back in st. Louis T.
"Cocknll is the very last person i'll the
world whom should expect to see i'll fight. He
is about twenty-five years old, is unmarried and a
man who would never seek a quarrel. lie is one Of
the most modest, retiring, unOfending gentlemen
ever knew. His father the colonel Of an Ohio
regiment during the War of the Rebellion, and a
gallant officer. In public banquet 10 the
Army of the Tennessee, General Sherman
spoke of Colonel Cockrill as the bravest
man in that army. As for Mr. Slayback,
he was a Southerncr ard had served IN the Con-
federate Army. He was good-natured man. lie
and were on terms of great friendship. He was
visitor at my house. We have played cards TO-
gether aud he has drunk my wine. am exceed
ngy sorry for this affair, especially because
Mr. Slayback leaves wife and five little girls. III
is terrible TO think of their misfortune. lie was
not regarded a man of means, which makes
it all the for those he leaves be-
hind. The affair will create widespread feeling
of sorrow among the many persons VINO were ac-
quainted with the two men. C0ckrlll had held
position on staff Of the Governor OF ONO ana was
known as Colonel Cockrll. his unfortunate oc-
currence will have the effect OF hurrylng me back 20
ST. Louis. shall probably leave here Tor the "esI
tomorrow" -,
"The light took place in the editorial rooms did
il not -
Yes" said Mr. Pulitzer. " 1t was repetition OF
the Washington tragedy. The two men came
straight up the stairs with drawn pistols Ihe posi-
ton of the editorial rooms with US i'll the West Is
very different from what it Is here III New lOrk.
There the public have free and easy access 10 the
editors room There are no ante chambers and
cards. Mr. COckrill occupied the seme room
as did 1t Is on the second floor, while adjoining
il is the OF the city department"
"Wh0 is Mr. ClOpton ~
Z" I only know hun as a lawyer about town. i