Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1884-02-23
JACK O'HARA KILLED.
Serious Fight With Horse Thiev'

Serious Fight With Horse Thieves
Register, 10Th: On Wednesday morn
ing al oft 10 o'clock Fred Willard and
Jack OH ra left here for Stoneville, and
that night about 10 O'clock Capt. A. NJ
Willard, of Deadwood, brother of Fred
and both deputy L. S. marshals, with J
G.. Duffy and F. p Jackson, left here for
the same place. The object Of their trip
was to meet, between there and Miles
City, Joe RYAN, of this place, who was
coming down with J. b. Pruden, pris.
oner, who had been arrested in Montana
by the United States, charged with steal
ing horses from the Indians, and who is
supposed to be one of the leaders Of the
gang. The authorities had information
10 lead them to suppose rescue would
be made, and it was to guard against
this that the above named persons left
here on Wednesday last.
The party reached Stoneville Thurs
day afternoon about 3 o'clock, Fred
Willard and Jack O'Hara preceding the
others by some twenty minutes. Here
they found party of seven men, the
principal of whom is George Axelbee, a
we'll known character throughout that
country as Il bold and dangerous man.
Upon going into the house they at once
commenced to talk in a way to excite
and anger Willard and O'Hara, evident
y for the purpose Of provoking quar-
rel and II. ht. Failing in this they an
nounced their intention Of taking away
their team, and went ont TO the barn.
Willard and O'IIara followed, keeping
close to their team and maintaining a
cool and courageous attitude. Axelbee's
men all having mounted their horses, at
a short distance, they opened a murder
Gus fire upon Willard and OHara
which was promptly returned, the out
laws going towards rlvine of brush
close by, and the two men firmly and
bravely maintained their position in the
unequal contest. O'lIara discharge.
five or six shots before he quit, and not
until ne had received several bullets in
his own body he fell to the ground a
d! ing man.
Cap. Willard. Jackson and Dutfy were
within hearing If the firing. and hasten
ed 20 the scene Of conflict, and the ont
laws took protection in the brush in the
ravine. Upon the arrival Of The assist
ing party the pack horses Of the gang
were, nv order Of Fred Willard, all kill
ed, ard Ol!ara was carried into the
house and soon thereafic- died, his last
words being, Fred. | came down with
You, ard staid with you as long as l
could"
4 man by The name oc Billy Cunning
ham, q COOK Tor Drisco,l's herders, was
killed He Was at Stoneville and
whether he was taxing part in the melee,
we have not learned. Two of Axeibee's
band were known to have been hit, but
how badly they were hurt we have been
unable 10 ascertain.
Higgins aud Hill, the murderers Of
Pearl lie e'poid. preceded Willard and
O'Ilara into Stonevile about half an
hour, and whether they went on or re-
manned and Witnessed the fight and took
part in it, is not known. Hill bore a
grudee against O'Hara. and if he had an
opportunity would take advantage to do
him an injury.
Deputy L. s. Marshal Raymond reach
ed Spearfish Yesterday noon, accom-
panied by DR.. Babcocs and Deputy Frost
and Bartlett. They started at once for
Stoneville, as also DR.. Louthan, Frank
Howard, Orman Ong, Dan Stout and d.
Scoop. Later in the day VIM. Gay and
John Bell followed.
1t is generally believed that the men
at Stoneyille had met there TO intercept
Willard SO as to prevent his reaching
Ryan, and that another party of the
same gang had gone on to rescue Pruden
and secure his escape.
There is one consolation in all the
sadness Of this bloody and death work !:
the strong arm Of the national govern
ment will now have to be put forth to
hunt. catch and punish these despera-
does, and sooner or later the punish
ment Of the law will fall upon them.
LATER Three Of the thieves are
killed and the chances favorable that
the balance Of the gang will be EXTERN
mated