St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-06-24
A WILD NIGHTS WORK.
Detroit, Mimi, the Scene of a Cold-Blooded
Murder and It's Swift Following
Punishment.
The City Marshal Shot Dead in the Early
Morning by a Notorious Local
Desperate,
And Before Midnight the Brutal
Assassin Was Hanging
From Tree.
The Body Filled With Bul1ets--Scenes
at the StOrming OF
the Jail.
Murder Followed by Lynching.


the Jail.
Murder Followed by Lynching.
Special to the Globe.
DETROIT, Mimi, June 23.-At O'CLOCK
this morning the inhabitants OF the prosper
Gus little city of Detroit were aroused py
the CRY of murder, and it was soon learned
that the faithful chief of police, john
Convey, had been shot down by rulhan
while performing his duty as an officer.
Some difficulty had arisen between Jonn
w. Kellihier, the murderer, and one Frank
Bennett, both representing houses OF Ill
repute, and threats had been made. AT the
hour stated both men Glanced TO meet at
the corner of the Masonic block and
were having contest OF words
when Officer Convey came up and requested
them to deSist and leave for home. The
officer then started off few PAGES, when
Kellehier, better known as Reddy, pulled
revolver and shot Bennett, who dropped to
the ground unhurt. The officer sprung
toward Reddy only to meet his death by
A BULLET THROUH THE HEART.
AS soon as the two shots were fired
those who had witnessed the affray from
second story windows got to the scene as
quickly as psssible. Alarms were given
and men and teams were sent i'll every dl-
rection in search of the murderer, and at
$3.50 he was captured in a grave three-Quar-
tiers Of mile away by Johnny Bouteu and
James Foster, both of whom were I'M
armed. He was Immediately turn ed
over to Sheriff Pinney and his deputies,
who as quickly as possible, placed the
prisoner in a steel cell. All day long the
crowd though orderly has been crying for
revenge. Large crowds have already ar
rived from Perham, Frazee, Lake Park and
Audubon, and all adjoining country towns,
swelling the throng which at this hour is
calling for rope.
THE MURDERED MAN
came from Rochester, Mimi, about four
years ago. and was soon after elected chief
OF police, position which he has filled
most acceptedly and won the esteem Of
every one in the place. At 7:30 p. In. the
fire bell began to ring, and the Lake Side
band with muffied drum followed by the
fire department in uniform soon marched
to Masonic hall where the remains under
charge of an undertaken were In keeping.
The first SIX of the fire company were ac-
cepted as bearers and then with dirge by
the band the column marched to the depot
with the remains which will leave for the
deceased's old home at Rochester at $50.
From early ssdusk the throng of people
kept growing larger and small groups might
be seen on every street corner and 1t was
evident that Reddy, the murderer of John
Convey, would not see the rising of another
sun. By taking position on the front steps
the street there was seen but
A BLACK MASS OF PEOPLE,
yet there was no noise or confusion. At 10
O'Clock the city fire bell began to ring rap
idly and it was first thought fire was rag
ing, but it was quickly noticeable that at
least 500 men, unmaSked, 'were marching
toward the court house and at 1905 a ring
ing blow from sledge descended upon
the rear door of the court house.
crushing the heavy panreled doors into
pieces. Then there was rush into the
corridor, when the mob was most forcibly
met by Sheriff Finney and his deputy,
George W. Taylor. who made a desperate
fight for their prisoner. But the corridor
door was in the meantime crushed in and
the sheriff was carried in bodily to the room
next the jail apartments where the keys to
the outer doors were secured, and an en-
trance effected. Matches were lit and the
cleaning eyes of
THE WRETCH WITHIN
were plainly visible as he walked to and
fro with face bleached to a death pallor.
He begged for the crowd to shoot him in
stead of putting that d-n rope about
his neck At this time a cry arose
from the mob that they did not have the
right key to the cell, and raid was again
on ChprifT low To-
manded. but he said he did not know where
they were. Deputy Taylor was then
caught in the hall and carried in. Owing
to his resistance he was forced down and
all the keys in his possession taken from
him. The ones wanted being found, the
great doors were pulled open and one of
the party stepped into the cell and quickly
placed an inch-rope about the victims neck,
and with a yell
THE ROPE WAS GRABBED
by about thirty men, who led the prisoner
at terrible gate out of the building, when
yell from 500 Threats only frenzied the
crowd the more, and with shrieks
and cries the prisoner was taken
to the front of his own place
of abode. and in twinkling one of the
men grabbed the end of the rope and
climbed the tree, placing the end over a
below, who quickly gave it a pull and in a
few seconds the body of Reddy, the noted
gambler and murderer. was hanging in the
air. The rope was then fastened to the
base of the large oak on which he hung, and
instantly shot after shot from large revolv-
ers were fired into the then lifeless carcass.
The crowd then dispersed, except those who
went out to view the sight, which 1t is
hoped Detroit may never have occasion to
witness again.
THE SENTIMENT
Of the people here is that justice has been
at last melted out to one of the most dam
gerous characters that has ever visited the
West His coming to our midst has caused
the death of one of Detroit's most highly
respected citizens, whose loss cannot be
restored. He was man with few, if any,
enemies. and his untimely death at the
hands of such monster has caused the
great excitement of to-day. John Convey
was 81 years old, fine looking, of spot
less reputation, and was soon to be united
in marriage to lady in the town of Como
rant. Reddy was so years of age, quite
tall, with a freckled face, red hair and
Mustache and weighed 230 pounds. He
claimed to have come fro m Brooklyn, n
e, where he has parents living.
FIRING THE BAGNIO.
Sa. MAT this hour the large house
near the lake, which has been used by
prostitutes. Is enveloped In flames, and no
sffort is being made to save it. The furni-
lure was taken from the building, also
from the depot platform, put in pile and
o also being consumed in like manner
Detroit proposes to be forever freed from
mch class.
KILLED HER TRADUCER.