The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-10-20
KILLED BY An EfITOR.
Tragic Death of a Prominent St.
Louis Lawyer.
He Goes to a Newspaper Office for
Satisfaction and Gets n Bullet.

Col A. W. Slayback, n prominent attorney
of Sd Louis, Mo-, was shot and instantly
killed In the editorial rooms of the Sc. Louis
Post Dispatch by Col John A Cockerel, the
>hef editor of that paper. Siayback had
come TO demand an explanation or an as
sault on him through the columns of the pa
per OF a political natnre, and, IA alleged, was
attempting to draw revolver, when Cock
ereH anticipated him, and he fell a corpse.
The following particulars of the tragic affair
arc CLEANED from the st Louis papers,
At about $50 sclook p. m, Col. slarback
and w H. Clopton were seen turning inc
corner of Fourth anal Market streets, talking
together in IN excited mood, ard evidently
tending in the direction OF tive Post Dispatch
building The stairs leadiHg DO the raporto-
ial rooms were climbed in haste, and Cock
arell and Slayback met face To ta0e. The
Colonel began 10 denounce Cocker"i In
a scathipg manner for the assaults
made upon him by the Post Dispatch. In the
fury which had taken possession OF him the
Colonel drew a revolver from hts pocket MS
Ii 10 wreak vengeance for the outrage which
had been inflicted on his homer Cockerell,
who had the advantage of his adversary by
reason of his self -pOssession, also drew MS
revolver and fired at Slayback. VINO feu
mOrtally wounded and gasned his Last breath
few minutes afterward.
action ~ supposed TO be the f ] owing, which
appeared in the Post Dispatch:
MIR AlonZo w. Slav back, an indi Siduaf
whose chief claim to distinction rests upon
the fact that he is the law pa tner of Col
James o. Broadhead rose IN meeting OF
Democratic ward politicians in this city
last night, and, without personal provoca-
tion, proceeded to Apply string on vie
and virulent epithets to the Post-DiT'atch
and it's conductors, making charges which he
l. TUl,o DO 40 A
Slayback concerning whom the fol-
lowing card WINS written and pubirshed In
this CITY by John NJ Glover on the llth day
of November 1881. Mr., Glover recently ran
as a Democratic candidate for Congress in
the Ninth district and received a hearty in
dorsement from the Democratic voters of
character. Mr.. Glover is alive vet.
The letter referred to above was an open
one by John NJ. Glover, accusing Col Say
back of cowardce, and was published in the
Post Dispatch.
After the killing the body was taken to an
undertaker's.
Col Slaybaolx was well known lawyer
and brother of Charles T.. S,ayback, Presi-
dent of the Merchants Exchange. He leaves
a widow and six children the eldest grown
up daughter, and the youngett an only boy
OF a few years
Judge w. II. Clopton, who accompanied
Col Sayback to the office, made q 81 atement
as TO what occurred He sag s most posi-
was greatly exoted and ayOwed MS inten-
ton before reaching the Office of slapping
the editor On arriva, at the Office CloptOn
saws Slayback entered the s2nctum of Mr..
Cockerell and was proceeding 90 divest him
self OF his coat, nd had it partly off when
the shot was fired, witch struck the victim
in the lett breast, just below the lefU nipple,
producing death almost instantly.
Cockercll drove 60 police headquarters
and surrendered himself.
John NJ McGuffin and Victor Il Cole made
q statement as TO what occurred in the room
where the shooting took place. They say,
in substance, that Slayback on entering the
room, threw his coat back and dew a re-
volver. and, advancing, said: We'll, I'm here
sir" Then, observing a weapon on Cocker
ellis desk, he asked =" Is that for
mey" To which Cockerell replied, NO, it's
for use only to defend myself. Slayback,
then said, "You are prepared TO draw; then
draw" And Cockerell then answered, Il
don't have to draw; / don't want 10 draw;
go away from here; / don't want to have
anything TO do with you" Stayback and
Clopton meantime pressed forward and
crowded Cockerell against the wall Then
each having hold of the other, Cockeren
being the most crowded. The lat
ter asked McGutfin to take Savback's pistol
from him, and while he was attempting to
do so aweapon was discharged, and Slayhack
staggered and in a moment sank to the floor
Mcliufiin says he did not see Clopton have
listol, but thought he was attempting, in his
struggle with Cockcyel. to turn the latter's
weapon IN such n way that be would shoot
himself NcGuffin obtained Slayback's pis-
toll and locked IL up in u safe.