Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-11-12
A DEAD DESPERATE.
n Notorious Tennessee Swamp Angel Who
Had Murdered u Dozen Men, Finally
Killed
memphis dispatch.]

memphis dispatch.]
Martin Mitchell. the notorious swamp
angel of the st. Francis River bottoms, has
climbed the golden stairs. He died Satur-
day night, at the residence of j. S. David
son, on st. Francis River, and was buried
Sunday afternoon. His death was caused
by blood poison and loss of blood from the
wound in his arm and hand, which he re-
celved on the morning OF Oct. s, when he
was shot by John Andrews, who, in wound
ing Mitchell, killed Roger Mallory. Martin
Mitchell was unquestionably the most noted
desperate who has fourished in this local
ity since the days of John A. Murrel. He
had his home in the swamps of the st.
Francis River, and has murdered no less
de Was the terror of the entire country, for
his enmi;y meant death to the person who
had, with or without cause, offended him.
AT one time during his eyentful career he
was attacked by three men, who were out
laws like himself. They all fired upon
him, but unfortunately missed their aim.
Mitchell fled, and the three men, who were
IN a skiff, proceeded down the st. Francis
River. They had not gone far before the
crack of a Winchester rifle was heard,
which sent a bullet straight through The
head OF one Of the men. The other two
tried to get out of range, but it was too
Late. Two more shots settled them, each
bullet killing man, and the skiff was
found the next day floating down the river
with its three dead occupants. 1t was thus
that Mitchell always settled with his enc
mics. About two years ago the Memphis and
Little Rock Railroad train was wrecked
at Black Fish, some thirty miles west of
Memphis. Two brakemen were killed by
the accident, and Mitchell was always sus-
pected of the act, as he had threatened the
conductor of the train, who had failed to
stop for him one nigh! when Mitchell had
signaled. Several months ago he was ar
rested and taken to Little Rock to answer
an indictment for violation of the revenue
laws in selling whisky without license. He
was convicted and sentenced to one year in
the Cross County, Arkansas. Jail. He re-
manned prisoner three days, when he es-
capped. No attempt was made to realrest
him, although he boldly walked the streets
of Madison, which is elnall town in Cross
County. He alwas carried Winchester
repeating rifle and two Tranteo pistols
hence the fear Of the Arkansas officials tc
attempt his capture. He had threatened tt
kill Frank Andrews the next time he me-
him, and, knowing his desperate nature
Andrews laid in wait for him on the morn
ing of the 5th inst. and shot at him from
b hind building as Mitchell, in compan,
with Mallory, was entering the store of I.
A. Hatcher & Co., at Madison. The deatl
of Mitchell will be great relief to thu
Memphis Gun and Fishing Club, who hat
built clubhouse near Black Fish, which
members occupied during the fishing an6
hunting season until they had falling on
with Mitchell about two years ago, since
which period none of the members hav
dared TO cross the river for fear of bein.
shot by their enemy. These are only few
chapters in his bloody career, and hi
death is matter of sincere coneratuJatiol
he had also threatened to kill at sight.