Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-15
A Nom COmmittal Verdict Returned
The Evidence.
WAS THE MURDERED MAN ARMEDs
A Conflict Of Testimony on This Point
Statement Of COckrill.
POST-DISPATCH ON THE TRAGEDY
A Miscellaneous Collection of Other
Crimes and MisdemeanOrs.
The st. LOuts Tragedy.
Especial Telegram to the Globe. |

Especial Telegram to the Globe.
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 1.-THE one topic of
conversation in all circles to-day has been
the terrible tragedy enacted in the sane
tum of the POst-Dispatch last evening, in
which Alonzo w. Slayback lost his life at
the hands of Jno. A. Cockrill, editor of
that paper. The questirn is asked every
where, ''Did Col. Slayback draw pistol 81
The question even yet is involved in some
doubt. 1t was ascertained by employees
of the Post-Dispotch last night that Col.
Slayback had pistol; that it had been
picked mp in the Office, and that
it was in the possession of Cockrilrs at
torney. On the other hand Mr.. Clopton,
who accompanied Col. SlaYback, denied
that the colonel had weapon. John Nc
Guffen, business manager of the paper,
was asked again to-day whether or
not Slayback had pistol. Nc
Guffen at first refused to talk further on
that subject. He had said all he was go
ing to say until he appeared before the
coroner. When asked whether he had Stay
backs pistol, he said he had. When asked
what sort it was, he said: "A bulldog pat
tern" Upon being pressed further he re-
fused to say anything.
THE FEELING ON CHANGE.
was intense. Very little business Of any
kind was transacted. Nearly every one had
something to say on the subject. All
agreed, without dissenting voice, that
he course of the paper had been most
reprehensible, but that if Slayback did pull
a pistol it was justifable for Cockrill to
shoot. But, in the absence of sworn testi-
mony, and failure to produce the
weapon, the weight of opinion was that
Slayback was unarmed The Post Dispatch
came out this evening with but very
brief account of the killing, consisting
entirely of statements of at
taches of the paper. In g
double-leaded editorial. The tragedy is
recounted and Cockrill's action justified on
the ground of self defense.
There has been a great crowd about po
lice headquarters all day, and
MANY ANXIOUS INQUIRIES
as to Cockrill. Chas. E.Ware remained with
Cockrill all night, and says he could MOI
sleep for thinking of the dead mans family
This morning he positively refused to SET
any press representative, and none were adj
mitted to his cell.
At the late residence of Col. ISlaybacl
there was a constant throng of SYM
patizing visitors all day. Chas.
E. Slayback, brother of deceased,
was there with the widow and children
He has made arrangements for the funeral
which will take place at 3 o'clock to-mor-
row afternoon. It will be one of the larg.
est ever witnessed in this city, as everybody
that knew Col. Slayback loved him. Though
Col. Slayback stood prominent in his pro-
fession, and had made a half-dozen for
tunes, it is said he died comparatively
poor man, though it is said he had life in.
surance aggregating $4,000. He was a
member of the Legion of Honor, the EIks
club, and also a Mason.
THE POST MORTEM
was held at his residence, and
showed that the bullet entered the left side
under the arm, hit between the fourth and
fifth ribs, penetrating both lungs aud
fracturing the fifth rib on the. right side.
The inquest was held in the criminal
room this afternoon. The four witnesses
to. the shooting testified. They all agreed
that the shot was fired before the two
gentlemen came together, and the struggle
occurred after the death wound was given.
This is contradictory of the former state
ment Of two eye witnesses and of Cockrill
himself, who have steadily maintained until
put under oath that Cockrill was
almost on his knees, being borne to the
floor by bis assailant. Then came the con-
Trajectory statement. Judge .Clopton
swears Slayback was not armed, while the
other witnesses maintain he was, and pro-
duce rusty old self-cocking ivory handled
weapon.
was simply, "Death from gunshot wound
in the hands of John A. Cockrill.' It is
not known whether the coroner will swear
out a warrant, but it is generally believed
he will.
The Post Dispatch published this after
noon the following editorial comment on
the lamentable affair:
COL. SLAYBACK'S DEATH.
In regard to the deplorable tragedy
which occurred yesterday evening in its
Office the Post Dispatch has nothing to
say but words of SORROW for the dead, SYM
pathy for the bereaved, of simple justice
to the gentleman who is one of the most
sincere mourners and one of the chief suf-
ferers by this sad affair. Every person
connected with this paper had the kindest
regard for Col. Alonzo w. Slayback, and
the proprietor, and Col. John A. Cockrill
had especially cultivated and maintained
the most cordial relations with him. Moth
ing personally offensive to him was ever
permitted to appear in the columns of this
paper until he had, in public speech on
Thursday night, violently denounced, with
approbrious epithets, everybody connected
with the Participation, and denounced
the paper itself as slanderous and black
mailing sheet. Yesterday there appeared
in its columns brief editorial paragraph
repelling the attack in language as mild
- the nature of the attack permitted.
While the presses were still running off
that issue, and while Col Cockrill