Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-11
DICK, THE SHOOTER" DEAD.
Fataliy Shot by a Man He was Forcing
to Drink With Him.

CHEYENNE, Wy, March s.-News has
just reached this city of the killing of
William PeytOn in a saloon at Sheridan.
at which place he arrived from Allie
gheny- Pa, four years ago. He was a
desperate character, and was known TO
the authorities as "Dick Buckley. the
shOOter. For four years he and his
gang terrOriZed Montana, WvOming and
Olher western Territories, and s.Dick,'
was feared by everybody. He was about
% years OF age and Of superior muscular
development, there being not a man
IN the territories who could match him
IN strength. He was a sure shot and
When drunk would shoot a man as quick
as WINK at him If he refused an invitation
10 urlhk. His boast was that there was
not man in the Territories who could
arrest him. Twice posse succeeded in
settlnS him 10 the lookup, and there il
toOk dozen men 70 secure him. PeytOn
hau large following of tough charac-
ters, mostly deserters from the army and
iugltlYes from justice from all over the
land. He was a deserter from Fort Ma
glnnls, but the officers never made any
Efforts 10 capture him.
fOr the past three weeks the 'sSboOf-
ers," as has gang was called. rode around
the streets OF Sheridan, shooting dogs and
nrlng at persons. Several citizens were
shot, and they finally determined to get
Tid OF the rutlian. A party was organized
10 capture PeytOn, but he was warned,
ana rode out Of town. He returned the
following night, however, with reVolvers
and knives in his belt, and defied the town
ana discharged his pistols prOmiscuously
at pedestrians. Saturday morning notice
10 leave town was served on him, but he
replied with an oath that he would not 90.
lie compelled several persons to drink
with him during the afternoon, adding the
incentive Of drawn pistol TO those who
did rot seem disposed to comply with bis
request. Tne town people in the mean
time were organizing to arrest him. but
when they arrived at Reese & Co.'s sa-
l00ns OF which he had taken possession he
was dead.
He had entered the saloon and called
everybody up TO the bar. All knew him
and complied, except p. II. Jones, a
miner.
81 aint feeling well. Dick said he.
land don't care TO drink"
1t don't matter a - if you do or not,
you've got to drink with me,'' rejOined
PeytOn, cooking his pistol and aiming it
at Jones.
"Oh, well, Dick, if you insist on it
viii. We won't quarrel about it." an
sWered Jones laughingly. He rose, walk
ed % the bar, but quickly stepped behind
IL anu gEdspeu OOuDle-Darreled shotgun
which stood in the corner. PeytOn pulled
the trigger OF his revolver and the ham,
mer fell, but the cap was not exploded.
IL snapped again twice in succession
without result, and when PeytOn pulled
the trigger the third time Jones fired
and discharged both barrels simultane-
Ously, the contents almost disembowel-
inc PeytOn. who dropped to the floor with
his pistol still pointed at Jones. He made
"A desperate effort TO pull the trigger he
fore he expired, but his strength failed
him. When PeytOn's pistol was examined
it was discovered that there were three
empty and three loaded chambers, and
/ that be had pulled the trigger on the
empty barrels. If he could nave pulled
the trigger again it would certainly have
been discharged