Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-07-28
Capture of the Murderers Of Clingan,
the Polk City, Ia, Postmaster.
DIES MONIES. .July 16

LIES MOlNES, July 10.
The Polk City murderers We're captured
Saturday in a large grove out in Shelby
County. The fugitives stole two horses
near Angus, Wednesday morning, and since
then they have been closely pursued until
Friday night, when they sought shelter in
the grove above mentioned. The grove COW
ers an area of about one hundred and fifty
acres, and as the country is very blutfy and
abounds in heavy timber and dense under
brush: it rendered concealment for the des-
peradoes comparatively easy, while it was
hazardous for the pursuers to approach.
They concluded to close in on them,
however, and accordingly stationed them
selves about twenty feet apart and gradually
marched to the center. They had not gone
far before Willis Halleck, of Extra, discov-
cred them concealed in the grass. He I'M
mediately called out, Here they are, men,"
At this the two sprang up and one Of them
shot Halleck in the right side. The wound
then abandoned for the night, but guard was
stationed around the grove. The assassins
made an attempt to escape about four
o'clock Saturday morning, but were met
with a volley of buckshot.
At nine O'Clock the pursuers were rein
forced by a crowd Of som eight hundred
men, who had assembled to assist in the
chase. They then formed in a circle and
marched in on them, firing at intervals. An
encounter ensued, in which one of the muir
derers named Gates wa fatally wounded,
but had time to confess that he had shot
both Mayor Stubs and Postmaster Clingan
before he expired. He also said that their
object was robbery. He requested to be
taken to some house that he might die in
peace, but the driver in whose wagon
he was lying said: ed if 1 will haul
him any further" and threw him out on the
ground just as he was dying. His pal,
known as Hardy, alias Smith, was captured,
a rope placed around his neck, and he UNI
doubleday would have paid the penalty with
his life on the spot, but he showed a dispo-
sition to reveal matters of interest. The
mob procured a rope, and started for the
railroad bridge with the intention of lynch
ing him. On arriving there the prisoner
was granted permission to indite a letter to.
his mother, and afterwards was allowed to
address the people assembled. Standing
there with the rope around his neck, the
wretch spoke as follows:
GENTLEMEN N FELLo w-CITIzENs: I am
placed in rather peculiar circumstance be-
have had experience in this business, but 1
have not. I will! take my oath that until July
!, 1883, l never had anything to do with any
ooSh uslLanSS DuC tuIouSu LuHucIlCC OIL CnaC
man Crawford l was persuaded to leave my
mother for the purpose OF making money.
fou may think by my appearance that
but men in this biz do not wear good
Clothes. l never had SO poor a suit on before
N my life. II you think that 1 am guilty Of
the crime Of murder, then you may hang me:
but am not. l never killed Il man, II never
expect to. Boys, there are many OF you about
my age ana younger. How would you like to
tate on it, and il you think it is just show me
as much mercy as you think j deserve. Ii
there is any Christian in this audience, or
like to have them do So"
Better counsel prevailed and Sheriff Lit
tleton took the prisoner to Harlan, where
he was confined in the County Jail. One
Wess Maddy, of Name, was also shot by
n of the fugitives.