River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-04-17

Hank Lewis, the Mitchell. Oak, Saloon
1st and Desperate, Resisting Arrest,
Murders City Marshal Pierce.

Mitchell, Oak, special Telegram, April "A
cold bIooded and unproyoked murder was com
mtted at Hank Lewis saloonat O'Clock this
morning, the victim being Capt J. II Pierce,
city marshal, and the murderer being Hank
Lewis, the saloonkeeper. A city ordinance re-
quires all saloons TO close alta designated hour,
and Lewis announced that he would break the
law with impunity, and bidding defiance to ar
rest and threatening to shed the blood OF tho
officer who should arrest him Lewis saloon
was open at three O'Clock aud oineer Eller,
Of the night police, ordered him 20 close, but
he refused saving he was going 70 murder the
policeman who undertook his arrest Eller
undertook 10 arrest Lewis, aud would have sue
ceeded had il not been for the Interference of
outsiders Knowing Lewis desperate eharac-
ter and his defiance Of law, Strengthened by his
success hitherto in avoiding punishment for
his crimes Officer Eller sought achievements
in City Marshal Pierce and some citizens
Capt Pierce went to the saloon and spoke to
Lewis; Lewis, what is the mattery Why
won't you close the saloon and obey
the laws?" Lewis replied. sIu fx
you" supplemented with vile oaths. Capt
Pierce then stepped into the saloon, aud told
Lewis that if he would not obey tho law he
would have TO arrest him At the same mo-
ment Lewis stepped back and picked up shot
gun. Capt Pierce told hum to put down the
gun, but Lewis, as quick as thought with
steady nerve leyelled the weapon deliberately
at Capt Pierces head and nred, striking
Pierce on the right side Of the head and par
tally blowing his brains out Capt Pierce
fell backwards, and with commissions and tern
bic groans, expired in pool Of his own blood.
Officer Eller and citizens oYerpowered Lewis
before he could use his reyol-
yer and handeuf1ed him There were
number of low women in the back
part of the saloon and after the murder they
added to the horror of the scene by demoniac
screams Lewis was marched OFF to the jail
and secured behind the bars. At an early hour
this morning the news of the murder was
generally spread throughout the city, and
citizens began to flock to the scene, and loud
cries of sLynch the murderer Hang him to
lamp post" went up from the crowd; but
the officers we're prompt in quelling any effort
in that direction and better judgement soon
prevailed for a time
murder Lewis is one of the worst characters
that ever came to the territory. He has always
been successful in avoiding punishment, but
there now seems 10 be no barrier between him
and Justice Later in the afternoon strong
threats of lynching were made, and extra pre-
cautions were taken to guard the prisoner
Can't Pierce formerly lived at Manchester,
Iowa. where he was engaged in the creamery
business, but removed to this city about two
years ago and had acted as city marshal for
about year, giving the best Of satisfaction.
He served in the war of the rebellion, and was
prominently connected with the Grand Army
of the Republic. He was married, but leaves
no children.