The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1884-05-08
A SANGUINARY SEQUEL.

Punishment of the Harper (kas.) Bank
Robbers aud Mu, derers-One of Them
Shot to Death ia Jail while Resisting the
AvenEers-The Other Three Hanged in
the Outskirts of the Town.
HARPER, KAs., May2
The party of four desperadocs who
endeavorcd to rob the Medicine Lodge
Bank and shot and killed the cashier, and
mortally wounded the President, rode fast
after their deed was done, but the posse
following them rode faster and harder,
and overlook the fugitive murderers
about three miles from Harper late
Wednesday evening. When the posse
came upon them they made a show Of re-
sistance, but were captured without much
difficulty and taken to the Harper Jail
amid great rejoicing and much excite
mcnt
The entire county was out when the
captiyes arrived, and no sooner had the
Jail doors closed upon them than the
mutterings Of approaching trouble be-
gan to become loud aud an omin-
Gus activity took possession Of the
populace all Of sudden. There were
the usual stimulating spirits to increase
| the excitement, and the city authorities
were on guard near the Jail all evening.
Every one seemed determined TO remain
up longer on Wednesday evening than
usual, and the usual rumors of the pur-
clase of several yards OF stout hemp
rope served to keep the ball of excitement
~olling.
At ten O'clock the populace seemed to
come from all directions towards the jail,
and the thoroughfares surrounding that
institution were crowded with people,
who talked Of yindlcating outraged JUS
ice The mob organized quickly and an
tttack was made on the jail. The officers
made a resistance strong enough to in
,rcase the determination of the mob, but
rot strong enough to make any gaps in
he ranks of the attacking citizens as
hey swarmed around the building. An
entrance was easily secured, and the muir
ierers and robbers were reached.
One of them having II revolver still in
his possession opened fire upon the
crowd, but before the reportof his pistol
had been silcnced dozen or more shoot
luE-iiOuO MNIt ltNtitd az llllilf uuh ub ltii
10 the floor and expired with his boots
On, and his body full OF bullet holes. The
other three murderers of the gang were
Gornered before they could make any re-
slstance. Pistols We're placed to their
heads and their hands were bound behind
them. Then IL became known who tn !
robbers were-Henry Brown, City Mar
shal, and Ben Wheeler, Deputy Marshal
of Caldwell, Kas., and John Westry and
Billy Smith, typical cowboys from the In,
dian Territory. All the men were well
known and their reputation was as bad
as mems could be who had established
several graveyards, and supported coro-
ners and undertakers, all in their respec-
tive districts.
The three bound men were led out of
the Jail surrounded by the mob in state
of wild excitement. The march was un-
exciting, as the prisoners OF the people
were kept in state of submission by
pistols pointed at their heads. One of
them weakened and showed the white
feather so conspicuously that he had to be
showed along the wagon-road leading out
Of town. His pleas for mercy and re-
quests that the mob would think of Ger
tain of his relatives were drowned by re-
marks to the effect that he would get
what he had given and he'd better keep
stepping or he would not be in at the end
OF the march.
a short time was spent in the march
when u clump of trees loomed up ON the
edge Of the town limits and couple OF
couriers went on before. Arrived at
the trees the proper ones were selected
with the care characterizins these affairs
in Kansas.
No time was lost, and in few minutes
the men were strung up, and their con
vulsions had not yet ceased when the mob
began the return march to town, leaving
the three bodies dangling from the trees
as a warning to all eyil-doers who might
strike the town from that direction. Two
of the men died game. The mob did not
dispcrse when the people came back TO
town, but gathered around the open stores
and stood in groups carrying on excited
conversations, the puTport of which was
that the community had not yet been
purged, and that more bad blood was
needed
All day yesterday the excitement was
at fever heat. The dead bodies have
been cut down, but the inquest has not
yet begun. This formallty is postponed,
as there will be little trouble in arriving
at the verdict. President Payne is re-
ported as dying. The bullet entered his
breast directly over the heart and made
its exit below the shoulder-blade.
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