New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-16
COLONEL C00KERILDS s1ORK

WHY HE SHOT COLONEL SLAYBACK
BELIEVING HIMSELF TO BE IN GREAT DANGEi' He He
FIRED-DEsCRIBNG THE SCENE IL TIE OFFICE
BEFORE THE SHOOTING.
ST. LOUIS. Oct. l5-COlonel COckerill at the
Corouer's inquest yesterday gave the following ac-
account of the shooting: " 4 few minutes after
O'Clock was sitting at n.y desk talking with Mr..
McGufiu, the business manager of the paper ana
Mr.. cole, the foreman. The door was
closed My pistol was lying on my desk. forl had IN
tended 10 place It in my pocket on changing my
coat and leaving the Office. Suddenly tho door
opened, and two men entered, closing it behind
them. l was facing tlo door. Irecognzed Colonel
Sayback and Mr.. ClOpton, lawyer, who had few
days before assaulted two members
Of his profession in a private Of
fee ] realized that | was to be assaulted
and arose from my chair. Colonel Slaybacks bear
inc was that Of a man bent upon violence. His
first words were: "Well. am here" lie started
as if to draw of his coat was in corner uc1t to
the front window. Instiuctively moved my hand
toward the weapon on the desk lie saw 1t and
suddenly readjusted his coat, and said, " Is that
for meiv at the same time throwing bis hand
to his hip pocket My reply was No, SIR bu- l
secured my weapon as he drew his He presented II
at me and heard him cock 1t. shouted Don
do that and at the same time, While his
weapon was pointed at my breast fired
believing myself at the moment dead man.
knew nothing Of the effect of the shot, foT he closed
with me and thrust his revolver against
nv side. At the same time Clopton an
preached me from behind and tried TO wrest
nv pistol from lny hand. which was hanging by my
side. / shouted 10 Mr.. McGulin: Don't let these
men XIII me, He tore Colonel Slay backs pistol
from his hand and pointed il at Clopton S
head. under the impression, / presume, that
he was irving TO shoot me- At that Instant Colonel
Slayback rel ased his grasp uDon me- and rea allef
for the first time that he had been hurt lIeit inc
room while Mr. CloptOn was calling for doctor,
my head bleeding from cut received when was
forced against the window in the scuttlo ana went
info the lower Office 10 wash myself
The funeral OF Colonel A. ". Slayback took
place this afternoon and was perhaps, the largest
ever witnessed in st. Louis. The service AZ tho
honse was performed by DR.. p. q. Robert. of the
FuIscopa Church after which the funeral procession
Consisting of the members OF the family and friends
The KNIGHTS of ST. Patrick, the Legion Of Honor,
the kar Association, Southern Historical Society
and the Benevolent Order OF Elks, proceeded
direct TO BeelOn;aine Cemetery. where, after
the usual Ger monies at the grave, the body was
placed in vault until Il Is determined
whether il shall be buried here or at Lexington,
Mo- Resides the representatives of the societies
Gbove-named, there were present At the house ana
at the cemetery a great number OF Leading
business and professional men or this city,
and the expressions of regret at the death
of the Colonel and Of sympathy with his family
were universal. The floral offerings were nag
nificent and came from almost all sources; Gov
ernor Crttenden, who was a friend of the
deceased man, came from Jefferson City to attend
fbe funeral