Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1884-12-04
TWO MEN AND A GIRL SHOT
In COLD BLOOD.
One Of the MurdererS Hung.

EIVin INC NlnIA NouHty CuppcI, NOV. q.
Ashland has, since Friday last, been
the scene of much excitement, which
eliminated Wednesday evening in. the
murder of Commodore Boggs and Dan
iel Adams, and the wounding of Miss
Fannie Hawkins. The circumstances
connected with the affair, as nearly as
can be ascertained at this time, are as
follows:
The men who did the shooting were
Joe Mitchell and Nels Mathews. Joe
Mitchell came to this country about two
weeks ago, it beng reported that he
had gotten into difficulty near Hazelton
and was compelled to leave there. Nels
Mathews had been about here for some
three or four months and had no occu-
patton during that time. They, togeth-
er with two or three others, rode into
town Friday afternoon and shot fine
grey hound, belonging to Ad Powers,
they also shot out several window lights
and broke the door of Roby & Lyon
grocery.
The weather was quite severe Satur-
day and Sunday and they did not put in
an appearance. Monday afternoon they
came down from the saloon at Clark and
commenced shooting at dogs. They
then rode into many of the business
houses with drawn revolvers. Did con-
siderable shooting. Some shots were
fred at our citizens. They roped and
threw pony several times and also
roped a man from his mule he was rid
ing. They constantly became more
bold in their depredations. The next
object of their cruelty was man and
boy who were riding out of town in a
wagon. They roped them several times
but were unable to drag them from their
wagon. Some words passed between
them and Mathews beat both man and
boy with his six shooter. Shortly after
this they attempted to take shotgun
from young man named Frank Gage
who objected, jumped back and drew
down on Mathews, who then run into
Roby's store, loaded his six shooter and
followed Gage, but did not get an op-
portunity to shoot him. That evening
they confined themselves to tearing down
out houses.
Tuesday only three men were IN the
gang, there having been five the night
before. Mathews, followed by Mitchell
rode into Lees restaurant and then
shot through the door and front of the
building while several persons were at
dinner. Fortunately no one was injur-
ed. By this time the citizens had made
up their minds to take the matter into
their own hands, there being no officer
nearer than Dodge City. Many shot
guns and arms we're in. readiness that
evening but the desperadoes had been
warned and did not come into town, but
rode over east and contented themselves
with firing few shots. Watch was
kept in town until late hour. One
man who, it is said had been trying to
keep Mathews and Mitchell from con-
tinuing their spree, left them in the
afternoon.
Nothing occurred in town Wednesday
to arouse suspicion until about half past
five O clock p. NJ, when a certain indi-
vidual rode into town from the north
and back again SO quickly as to arouse
the distrust of the poor fellows who, so
shortly after, me- their untimely end.
These very boys gave. the alarm and in
a few minutes their suspicion was veri-
fed.
Mathews and Mitchell rode up to the
post Office and Mathews mailed a letter.
They then rode through town and over
the bluff where the trail comes in from
the East. They tied their horses in
the clump of trees between Mr.. Low
ery's and Bear creek and went upon
the hill between the dug-out and town.
When Adams and Boggs passed and
went down into Lowery's dug out, where
they were boarding, Mitchell and Math-
ews followed them. The dug-out had
only two rooms; a main room and an
ante room. Supper was spread and the
table full of boarders. The victims
were standing in the ante room together
with MIR. Woods, Fannie Hawkins and
little girl. Mitchell and Mathews
stepped to the entrance and Mitchell,
addressing Boggs, said: "here pard, we
want to speak to you" He answered
that he would not step out with them.
Mitchell then grabbed him by the coat
collar with one hand and raising his six
shooter with the other, shot him in the
stomach. At the same time Mathews
shot Adams in the breast. Both boys
probably made efforts to draw their re-
volvers, as one was found drawn and
cooked, and the other partially drawn.
Three or four shots were fred, one of
which struck Fannie Hankins in the
arm, inflicting only a flesh wound. It
is thought that the shot was intended
for her.
Immediately after the shooting the
murderers took to their horses and rode
rapidly toward Clark. Deputy Sughrue,
who had been informed of the trouble,
left Dodge at 1 a. m, and as good for
tune would have it rode into Clark
shortly after the shooting was done, and
made for the saloon, thinking there was
where he would find the men he was
after. No one was there however, but
as he passed out Mitchell rode up and
Mr.. Sughrue arrested him on suspicion.
This was hardly done when Mathews
rode up, having let poor horse of his
own and taken one belonging to Mr..
N,:R:- No<k,,r, no11oJ - M;kob III -