St. Landry democrat., 1883-07-28
CAPTURED.

CAPTURED.
The Assassins of CIingan, the Polk City
Na) Postmaster, Run Down-One of tho
Murderers Killed and the Othsr Ar
rested.
DEs MONIES, July 10.
The Polk City murderers were 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 bluffy 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, discos-
cred them concealed in the grass. He im-
mediately called out: I" Here they are, men,"
At this the two sprang UP and one of them
shot Halleck in the right side. The wound
will probable prove fatal. The pursuit was
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 yolley of buckshot.
AT nine o'clock the pursuers were rein
forced by crowd of some eight hundred
men, who had assembled to assist in the
chase. They then formed in circle and
marched in on them, firing at intervals. An
encounter ensued, i'll which one of the MUIR
derers named Gates was fatally wounded,
but had time to confess that he had shot
both Mayor Stubs and Postmaster CIingan
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: "Cursed if I 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 dispo-
sition to reveal matters of interest. The
mob procured 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 AND LLOw-CITIZENs: am
placed in rather peculiar circumstances be-
fore you this afternoon. You may think that
have had experience in this business. but
have not. will take my oath that until July
], 1883, I never had anything to do with any
such business, but through influence of that
man Crawford was persuaded to leave my
mother for the. purpose Of making money.
You may think by my appearance that
l have been in the business some time.
but men in this biz do not wear good
clothes. / never had SO poor suit on before
in my life. If you think that am guilty of
the crime of murder, then you may hang me;
but am not. never killed man, and never
expect to. Boys, there are many of you about
my age and younger How would you like to
be swung off this bridge into eternity. Medf-
tate on it. and If you think it is just show me
as much mercy us you think / deserve IF
there is any Christian in this audience, or
friends who will speak in my behalf, / would
like to have them do So
Better counsel prevailed, and Sheriff Lit
Teton took the prisoner to Harlan, where
he was confined in the County Jail. One
Wess Maddy, of Marne was also shot by
one of the fugitiyes.