Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-12-17
THE PAROwAN AFFAIR.

The killing OF Dalton by Deputy Mar
shal Thompson at Parowan is most un-
fortunate affair. Unfortunate is hardly
the expressive word. 1t was most repre-
hensible, and no right thinking person
will attempt to defend that which, accord
ing to present appearances, is wholly in
deiensibe. According to Thompson's
own version, in his telegram to Marshal
Dyer, he is guilty OF manslaughter. The
ofense with which Dalton was charged
is only misdemeanor, and the
officer was not justified under the
law in taking his life even
to prevent his escape. Such action
would only be warranted by such resist
ance on the part of the person named in
the writ as placed the officers life in
jeopardy, which was not the case in this
instance. Thompson says that he fired
at the fleeing man with the intention of
shooting over him and bringing him to Il
halt through the influence OF his fears.
This is Il common and iustifable practice
with officers, but in this instance
Thompsons explanation is not sustained
by the facts Dalton was shot through
the kidneys, the lowest part of his per-
son above the saddle, and it is hardly
reasonable to suppose that the aim was
directed above his head. The truth Of
the matter in all probability is that the
Deputy, in his zeal to capture an escaped
prisoner, drew his we apon and shot,
without regard to any consequences eX-
cept the serving of the warrant OF arrest
1t is not presumable that he coolly de-
liberated murder, or that he would have
fired the shot il he had had time to con-
slider the consequences. That is the
only e. nuatng circumstance connected
with the case, according to the facts at
present developed, and it only tends
to the lessening of the statutory
grade OF the oflense. 1t is fact,
capable of proof, that Dalton
had boosted that he would never
be taken alive. This was probably
known to the Deputy and perhaps
prompted him to recourse to more ex-
treme measures than he would have
taken under ordinary circumstances
This however, did not justify him in shoot
ing with deadly intent at u fleeing man,
who evincad no intention of carrying
out his implied threat. Of course the
Mormons will make the best possible
handle of this affair to mislead the peo-
pile OF the East into the belief that Dali
toms death was an incident to the per-
secution which they claim they are
martyrs to from the Gentiles of this
Territory and the General Govern
ment. 1t is to be hoped that no
loyal citizen will lend the color of truth
to such misrepresentation by attempting
to defend an illegal and most reprehensi-
BILE act, even though committed in
righteous cause. 1t is but justice to
Marshal Dyer to state that he was and
is wholly unacquainted with Thompson,
and received his appointment through
the recommendation OF many prominent
and respectable citizens of his district,
and his excellent record as Deputy under
Marshal Ireland. Marshal Dyer has
taken the course which would be eX-
pected from conscientious officer and
honorable man under such circum-
stances. He has revoked Thompson's
appointment, pending the investigation
OF the affair. He says he will sus-
tain the act OF his deputy if further de-
tails prove him to lie justifiable in the
killing-if not he will receive no personal
or official countenance from him, and he
will have to submit to the consequences
OF his wrongful impulses.