Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-14
Another account.

Western Associated Press.
ST.. LOUIS, Mo-, Oct 13-The business part
of the city was thrown in state of high
excitement about half past o'clock this
evening by report which flew from street
to street and block to block, with the rap
idity of thought, that John A. Cockrell,
managing editor of the Post Dispatch had
shot and killed Col. D. W. Slayback, a
prominent lawyer and well-known poll
tician of this city. Precisely how the
shooting occurred cannot be stat
Led at this writing as no one
directly concerned in the matter viii make
a statement, but W. Moore, city editor Of
the paper, who was sitting at his desk
writing, says, that while Col. Cockrell,
John McGuffen, business manager, and
Victor L. Cole, foreman, were holding
business conference, in the editorial room,
Col Slayback, accompanied by W. F. Claf-
ton entered the local room and passed on
toward the editorial room. the door to
which was closed. Mr.. Moore turned in his
chair as they passed by, and observed that
Col. Slayback, as he opened the door
with his left hand had his
right hand in his pistol pocket. In less
than half minute after Slayback entered
CockrelPs room Moore heard the
REPORT OF PISTOL.
He Immediately sprang up, and on en-
tering the editorial room found Slayback
Strengthened on the floor and Cockrell
over him apparently wiping the blood
from his face. Cockren asked Moore to
send for physician, which he did, and
few minutes later DR.. McCarty arrived,
but not until Slayback was dead, he
having died in three minutes after being
shot. Meanwhile Cockrell washed his
hands, and in less than five minutes after
the fatal shot was heard he and McGuffea
ENTERED CARRIAGE ANIL DROVE AWAY.
It is 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 il is not yet known where
he is. Col. Slayback's brother, Charles E.
Slayback, president of the Merchants Ex-
change, was Immediately notified of the
sad event and he gave directions for dis
posal of the body, which was sent to dead
mans home.
The ball from Cockerell's pistol entered
Slayback's left 5ido near the heart, and
ranged upwards. Whether it entered the
hearts, not known, but it must have pene
trated the lungs.
An immense crowd gathered round the
Post Dispatch Office and remained there
till long after dark. The deplorable affair
seems to have grown out of the publica
tion of an editorial by the Post Dispatch
this evening, stating that Col.
Slayback in speech at political meet
ing in the Eighteenth ward last night. an
Piled strong, vile, and virulent epithets to
the Post-Dispotch and its conductors. maxi
ing charges which he knew to be false. and
IN retaliation for this the paper reproduced
card published about a year ago by John
N. Cover, well known young lawyer. in
which the writer charges Col. Slayback
with cowardice.
STATEMENTS OF EYE WITNESSES.
ST.. LOUIS, Oct. 13.-John McGuffen and
Victor J. Cole at a late hour tonight made
statement as to what occurred in the
room where the shooting took place. Thev
say IN substance that Slayback, on enter
ing the room, threw his coat back and
drew revolver and advancing, said ssWell
I'm here sir" Then observing a weanon
on Cockerell's desk, he asked ssIs that for
met"
Cockerell replied, 'sNo, its for use
only to defend myself" SIayback then
said: "You arc prepared to draw. then
draw" and Cockeren answered, 81 don't
have to draw. Go away from here.
don't want to have anything to do with
yon."