Bismarck tribune., 1883-07-20
CAPTURE. OF THE. CRANK.
The Man Who Stabbed Sinclair Caught
North of Bismarck.
He Deties His Pursuer to Shoot, but
Finally Surrenders.
He Smells Powder.

Albert w. Hall, of Apple Greek, returned to
the city Saturday, after q lucky chase, bring
ing with him William Evans, the young lunatic
who stabbed and nearly killed farmer Sinclair
near Menoken Friday morning. Mr. Sin
clairs fine horse was also brought to town hav-
ing received no visible injury from its long and
rapid journey. Mr.. Hall stated that he came
upon Evans on the prairie fifteen miles north of
this city, and upon demanding halt received
as an answer, "Shoot, d-n you, shoot; you
'daren't shoot" and frequently in the race be-
tween them Evans dared Hall to shoot and
would declare that he might as well die there as
anywhere. After long ride in close proximity
to the cranky individual, Mr.. Hall succeeded in
cutting his course and turned him southward.
Riding quite distance, Evans pulled off his
boots, which were bought at Menoken yesterday
morning, and used them as whip to spur his
horse on to more rapid pace. Becoming tired
Of this he threw his boots away and DOTTED his
coat, with which for long distance he beat the
animal. At last he left that also to the vultures
and busted his vest the steeds sides until this
Last available garment followed tbs fate of the
boots and coat. The chase continued in this
way for at least twenty miles, when, within
twelve miles of the city, Hall succeeded in get
ting peaceable surrender from the fleeing man.
After his surrender Evans made TO resistance
and was brought to town in q buggy by ex-
policeman McRae who was overtaken in the
race. Evans had lost his knife and was un-
armed. He said that all he was afraid of was
that he had not XII lied Sinclair. He was lodged
in the county jail and the horse given comfort
able quarters in Malloy Stoyell's livery stable.
49, AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW.
A TRIBUNE reporter called on Evans and soli-
cited an interview which was readily given.
When asked his reason for attacking Mr. Sin
clair, he said that Sinclair was putting up a
"job on him.. He said his reason for believing
that men were after him, was that he smelt
powder, and he thought he heard a bullet sing
by his ear. Friday night he was In Menoken
and after lying in his bedroom short time, he
got up and jumped through the window.
Rep.-Why did you jump through the win
dow? 80. -
Evans-Well, things looked bad in the rooms.
saw things there that didn't look right. T..
Rep.-What did you see? ,sE. :...
Evans - (hesitating) saw butcher knife
on the floor and something struck me from
above; I smelt powder and heard bullet sing
Rep-What kind of whiskey had you been
drinking?
Evans-I don't drink.
Rep.-Why did you fear that some one was
after you; did you ever have any trouble before?
Eyans-I should say I had. was knocked
all to pieces last summer for forty-eight dollars
in Ogden, Utah. Three men stopped me with
big Colts revolvers and robbed me.
This last statement was repeated several
times in the interview and it is very
reasonable to conclude that it is true,
and that here began his insanity. He has
douptless been meditating on the scene and
when lin akstrange or lonely place it comes up
like an evil phantom before his vision. In this
way has he become suspicious of men and at in
tervals imagines that some one is after him. He
was willing to admit to the reporter that he had
done wrong in stabbing Mr.. Sinclair and said
that he never was in Jail before. 1t is evident
that he is insane and Sheriff Mckenzie and bis
able assistants deserve credit for the prompt
manner in which they responded to the call and
made the arrest. ., e.