The Dickinson press., 1884-04-19

Hank Lewis, the Mitchell, Oak, Saloon.
1st and Desperate, Resisting Arrest
Murders City 6arshal pierce.

Hank Lewis, the Mitchell, OAK, Saloon.
ast and Desperate, Resisting Arrest.
Murders City Marshal Pierce.
Mitchell, Oak, special Telegram, April ga
cold-blooded and unprovokedm murder was COM
mitted at Hank Lewis saloon at 3 o'clock this
morning, the victim being Capt. J. T. 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 az
rest, and threatening to shed the blood of the
officer who should arrest him. Lewis saloon
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. Ellar
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
in City Marshal Pierce and some citizens.
Capt. Pierce went to the saloon and spoke to
Lewis; "Lewis, what is the matter? Why
won't you close the saloon and obey
the AVS" Lewis replied, "Tll fx
pier Pierce i thepp stepped i mtsn the e'i %sai Hasas, and St tppId
Lewis that if he would not obey the law he
would have to arrest him. At tie same mo-
ment Lewis stepped back and picked up shot
gun. Capt. Pierce told him to put dow the
| gun, but Lewis, as quick as thought, with
steady nerve, levelled the weapon deliberately
at Capt. Pierce's head and fred, striking
Pierce on the right side of the head and par
TALLY blowing his brains ont. Capt. Pierce
fell backwards, and with commissions andterri-
bic groans, expired i'll Il pool of his own blood.
Officer Eller and citizens ~overpowerel Lewis
before he could Use his revol-
YER and handcut1ed him. There We're
a number of low women i'll the back
part of the saloon, and after the murder they
added to the horror of the scene by damoniac
screams. Lewis was marched of to the Jail
and secured belindthe bars. At M 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 "Lynch the murderer" "liang him to
a l%amp-post.." went up from the crowd; but
the officers were prompt III qualling any effort
i'll that direction and better judgement soon
prevailed for IL time.
murder. Lewis is one of the worst characters
that ever came to the territory. He has always
been successful in avoiding punishment, but
and justice. Later i'll the afternoon strong
threats of lyncilins were made, and extra pre-
cautions We're taken to guard the prisoner.
Capt Pierce formerly lived at Manchester
Iowa, wl>are he was engaged in the creamery
business, but removed 10 this city about tw,
Years ago and had acted as city marshal ful
about a year, giving the best OF satisfaction
He served in the war,of the rebellion. and wa!
prominently connected with the Grand Arm,
of the Republic. He was married, but leave:
no children.