The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-05-10
A Reign of Terror

KANSAS CITY, May 9.-[Special.l IA man
named Luke Short, saloon-keeper at
Dodge City, arrived here to-day, and re-
ported that the city was in the hands OF
lawless mob, which had for week carried
things with high hand, not only by driv-
ing out citizens at the point of the revolver,
but intimidating newspaper correspon-
dents and others to such an extent that no
mention of their lawless reign had been
made Outside of Dodge City. Accol d.
ing TO Shorts story the trouble
began previous to the last city election,
and is fight between the tougher element
Of that tough town and its more reputable
citizens, Which faction can lay claim to
Ibe latter title may be somewhat problem
atical. though Short declares his party is
entitled to the honor. He declares that
the mayor of the town, acting with the
nah Of yigilants, drove himself and five
gamblers out of the place, and are
Dreparing q list Of othes whom they intend
serving with notice to quit. lie declares
the vigilantes are headed by the proprietor
of the worst dance hall in the west, and IL
is hisintentiou to have martial law declared
in the town by Gorvenor Click, having EN-.
Moved an attorney in this city TO go 10
'CoDeka and lay the case before the gov
ornor. Advices received from Dodge City
since SHORTS arrival here indicate that
,hsys ara 81 least two sides to the story
THO other side Is the vigilance committee
and 10 comnosed of the best citizens OF the
~iace and that the object OF their action Is
simply TO rid the town OF the gamblers ana
PROSTITUTES, who have so oyerrun the place
AS to render necessary such action as mas
been undertaken. TT, d., nj.
pstch's special from Kansas City says Foi
Inc mast ten DAYS rema' kabe and
artlinC state of affairs have ex sted al
bodice Citv. Kansas, and all mention has
heen kent quiet. Several prominent at
tornevs left today for Topeka to petition
Governor Click to place the town undet
martial law. The difficulty is the culmi'
nation of a long-standing fued between two
elements of that place, which has long en-
loved the reputation OF being hard place
Ii is one of the places where the saloons
are run openly, and gamblingls Iegitmat
lied. IL is headquarters OF the COWBOYS
and cattle men of the vicinity
Before the last city election
the MAYOR, a man named Webster, pro
prietor of a dive, half saloon, half gambling
house and variety hall. lie was repre-
sentative OF the lower element aud sporting
fraternity. The head OF the element wa
NJ. II, Harris. This element was thu
ouieter. but there was bitter feeling be
! tween the two. At the election for mayor
! Harris was beaten and Degue, Webster
candidate, elected. Since then II has beef
conceded that Harris would be driver
out, About ten days ago maj
named Short, who is a partner oil harris
aud a police officer, had a shooting
afray. but neither was hurt. Short wa
| thrown in Jail although the evidenc
! showed be was fred at first. Later nv
gamblers we're arrested and jailed. Ina
night a vigilance committee formed, an
with Tom Nixon, proprietor Of one Of tn
hsr lest dance houses in the west, at ID
head Of the crowd repaired to the jail an
told the prisoners they must leave To
town by next morning. Meantime the VS.
ilantes took possession Of the town. Cor
respondents Of papers were notihed INT
must not send kilograms. A body q arme
men watched the arrival Of each train 20 se
there was no interference. A laTyt
sent for from Larned by on
of the prisoners, was mi
by the vigilAnts, who leveied a gun ut d
hea1 and told him not 10 stop. The nel
morning five gamblers we're put on u
westward bound tam. Short left for Mar
sss CITY. where be is now. The city
practically in the hands OF the yiEilhnt
md Tie situation is most serious, from %
fact that the mayor Is ac.ing With then
Il was be who notified the prisoners 20 2
TIE trains are still watched end nrms
men guard the town. while list OF othe
Who will be ordered ont vii ne prepare
Dodge city isin the hands Of desI'eradoe
and the lives and the property o. citizens
not safe. Serious trouble i apprehfDae'