The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-04-25
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Hank Lewis, the Mitchell, OAK, Saloon.
list and Desperate, Resisting Arrest
Murders City Marshal Pierce.

AS~S~
Mitchell, Oak. .special Telegram, April "a
cold-blooded and1nproyoked murder was COM
mitted at Han LOWS saloon at S6'clock this
morning, the victim being Capt J. 7. Pierce,
city marshal, and the murderer being Hank
Lewis, the saloonkeeper. A city ordinance re-
qnires all saloons to close att 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
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 endorsements
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 laws?" Lewis replied, 'ru fix
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 stepped back and picked up shot
| gun. Capt Pierce told him to put dow the
gum, but Lewis, as quick as thought, with
steady nerve, leVelled the weapon deliberately
at Capt. Pielce'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 Ill a pool of his own blood.
Officer Eller and ~citizens overpowered Lewis
before he could use his rcvol-
yer and handcuffed him There were
n number of low women in the back
| part of the saloon, and after the murder they
added to the horror of the scene by delnoniac
screams. Lewis was marched off to the Jail
md secured behindthe 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 Lynch the murdere&" "Hang him to
a lamp-post.." went up from the crowd; but
the officers We're prompt Ill quelling any effort
in that direction and better judgement soon
prevailed for a time.
murder. Lewis is one of the worst characters
that ever camel to the territory. He has always
been successful i'll avoiding punishment, but
there now seems to be no barrier between HIM
! and Justice, Later III The afternoon strong
threats of l~ynciing were made, and extra pre-
cantiona were taken to guard the prisoner.
Capt Pierce formerly lived at Manchester,
business, but removed 10 this city about two
! years ago and had acted as city marshal for
about a year, giving the best of satisfaction.
He served III the war of the rebellion, and was
prominently connected with the Grand Army
of the Republic. He was married, but leaves
no children.