Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-16
The st. Louis Trdgedy.
TSpecial Telegram to the Globe

WAN O~o'J
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 1.-THE one topic OF
conversation ia all circles to-day has been
the terrible tragedy enacted i'll the sane
turll of the 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. Siayback draw pistol!''
The question even yet is involved in some
doubt. 1t was ascertained by employees
of the Post Dispatch last night that Col.
Slayback had pistol; that it had been
picked up in the office, and that
it was in the possession OF Cockrlli's at
torney. On the other hand Mr.. Ciopton.
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
wat sort ii was, he sad: II ''r;'t'og pat
terra" Upon being pressed further ne re-
fused to say anything.
THE FEELING ON 'eHANGE.
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 justifiable for Cockrin to
shoot. But, in the absence of sworn testi-
mony, and failure to produce the
weapon, the weight of opinion was that
Slavback was unarmed. The Post Dispatch
came out this evening with but a very
brief account Of the killing, consisting
entirely of statements Of at
taches of the paper. In a
double-leaded editorial. The tragedy is
recounted and Cockrilrs 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 will
Coclrin all night, and says he could moi
sleep for thinking of the dead mans family
This morning he positively refused to see
any press representatives. and none were adj
mitted to his cell.
At the late residence of Col. lSlayback
there was a constant throng of sym
patizing visitors all day. Chas.
E. Slayback, brother C 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. 1t 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 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 I
member of the Legion of Honor, the Elk
club, and also a Mason.
THE POST MORTEM
was held at his residence, AM
showed that the bullet entered the left sid,
under the arm, hit between the fourth AMI
fifth ribs, penetrating both lungs aut
fracturing the fifth rib on the right side
The inquest was held in the crimina
room this aftern Don. The four witnesses
tossthe 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
1nert Of two eye witnesses and of Cockril
himself, who have steadily maintained unit
put under oath that Cockrill was
almost on his knees, being borne to TIT
floor by his assailant. Then came the con
Trajectory statement. Judge Clopto1
Swears Slayback was not armed, while thu
other witnesses maintain he was, and pro
duce rusty old self-cocking ivory handled
weapon.
THE VERDICT
was simply, death from gunshot wounl
III the hands of John A. Cocl1rill" It il
not known whether the coroner will sweal
out q warrant, but it is generally believed
he will.
The Post Dispatch published this after
noon the following editorial comment O,
the lamentable affair:
COL. sLAYBACk's DEATH.
In regard to the depiorable TRACED,
which occurred yesterday evening in it.
Office the Post-Dispotch has nothing t,
say but words of sorrow for the dead, sym
patty for the bereaved, of simple. justice
to the gentleman who is one of the mos
sincere mourners and one of the chief suf
ferers by this sad affair. Every perso,
connected with this paper had the kindes
regard for Col. Alonzo W. Slayback, an,
the proprietor, and Col. John A. Cockril
had especially cultivated and maintained
the most cordial relations with him. Moth
ing personally offensive to him was eve
permitted to appear inthe columns of thi
paper until he had, in public speech o.
Thursday night, violently denounced, wit
=approbrious epithets, everybody connected
with the Post-Dispatch, and denounced
the paper itself as slanderous and black
mailing sheet. Yesterday there appeared
in its columns brief editorial paragraph
repelIing the attack in language as mill
as the nature of the attack permitted
While the presses were still running OF