The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-04-17
s1AUoHrKRED a l6A1sRAL.
Hank Lewis, the Mitchell, Dali, Saloon
ast and Desperado, 1ssisting Arrest,
Murders City Marshal Pierce. 1922 .

Mitchell, Oak, special Telegram, April "a
-blooded and unprovoked murder was COM
mitted at Hank Lewis saloon at o'clock this
morning, the victim being Capt J. I. Pierce,
city marshal, and the murderer being Hank
Lewis, the saloonkeeper. A city ordinance re-
qulres all saloons to close at 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 the
officer who should arrest him. Lewis saloon i5
was open at three o'clock. and officer Eller,
OF the night police, ordered him to close, but
he refused, saying he was going to murder the
policeman who undertook his arrest. Eller
undertook to arrest Lewis, and would have sue
ceeded had it not been for the interference of
outsiders: knowing Lewis desperate charac-
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 matter? Why
We, wont you a,n close the saloon and e1 obey
you" supplemented with vile oaths. Capt:
Pierce then stepped into the saloon, and told
Lewis that if he would not obey the law he
would have to arrest him. At the same mo-
ment Lewis steppsd back and picked up shot
gun. Capt Pierce told him to put down the
gum, but Lewis, as quick as thought, with
steady nerve, levelled the weapon deliberately
at Capt. Pierce's head and fired, striking
Pierce on the right side Of the head and par
TALLY blowing his brains out. Capt. Pierce
fell backwards, and with commissions and terri
bic groans, expired in a pool of his own blood.
Officer Eller and citizens overpowered Lewis
before he could use his revol-
yer and handcufed him. There were
a 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
citizons began to flock to the scene, and loud
cries Of "Lynch the murderer" Hang him to
a lamp-post" went up from the crowd; but
the officers were 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 to 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
Capt. 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.