The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1891-07-08
OVER A MURDER BY sEARCHER
FRANK PIERCE.
The Killing Alleged To Have Been Unpro-


Frank Pierce fatally wounded L. III.
Wishart, at Des Moines, and narrowly
escaped lynching lntense excitement
prevailed when he was arrested, and
cries OF "Bring rope!" and "Lynch
him!" were heard on every hand Forty
policemen were necessary 10 escort him
TO the Jail. The feeling is SO strong
against Pierce that trouble may come at
any moment. Wishart was hit by four
bullets, and crowd of 500 people gath
cred at the City Hall when Pierce was
placed In jail. For three years Pierce
was the leader of the Des Moines search
ers. He has shot several persons In that
city, and on three occasions mobs have
been organized TO lynch him. The eases
of Harry Lloyd and Terry Chambers
attracted great attention at the time
Another OF his victims is in the insane
asylum from injuries received at Pierce's
hands. Heretofore Pierce has received
the support and sympathy OF the tenn
perance people, bat this crime is the
last straw which any kind OF public
opinion can stand.
Pierce, who is a scavenger, drove one
of his wagons toward the customary
dumping grounds on lower West Ninth
street The officers had notified him
that he had no right to use the ground
used by another or that which was
owned by the city. Driving down Ninth
street, he came about opposite the new
crematory. Mr.. Wishart, who is the
legal guardian of the property in behalf
of the city as foreman of the crematory,
ordered him not 10 dump there. On
Wishart's coat was the star of his au-
thority as an officer. The two men fell
into sharp dispute. Pierce ordered his
men 10 Gig again. They hesitated. Mr..
Wishart, revolver hanging at his
side, said 81 am an officer of the law
l have orders TO allow no man 10 dump
In the street. They are going to pave
and will not allow dumping" Pierce
said he had right to dump somewhere,
and that he would tear down the fence
which blocked the street, it being still
unopened Wishart said: Il have no
authority over the fence. You can tear
that down at your own risk, but the
street / am here to defend5 Pierce
seized shovel and made an attempt to
dig. when, his rage overcoming him, he
whipped from the holsters at his belt two
revolvers and Jumped toward Wishart
consider yourself under arrest" he
screamed. "I'll shoot you or any other
man that tries 10 stop me-" and fired.
Wishart raised his revolver TO fire back
III doing so his revolver came in contact
with Pierce's and was broken. Whether
bullet left 1t is matter of doubt.
Wishart seeing his revolver was useless,
let it drop 10 the ground. The first
bullet OF Pierce struck Wishart in the
arm But Pierce, seeing his victim un
armed, did not desist his murderous
work. He fired three more shots, one,
according to the statement of an eye
witness, after Wshart had dropped to
the ground.
TO the crowd which gathered and was
gathering in he said: stand back, or
there will be some more dead men {"
With revolver In hand his wagon was
driven down toward the river where he
had concluded 10 40 and dump. The
patrol was sent for and WisharJ was
taken to the City Hall. Doctors were
called in and made an examination. Be
DIES the wound in the arm a hole was
found in bis abdomen. One of the other
shots had entered little to the right Of
the middle apd lodged somewhere in his
back. While in the City Hall Wishart
lay in great agony on pallet until Mrs.
Wishart arrived The grief of the POOR
woman was terrible TO see. At last
for the sake Of her husband she was in
duced TO control herself The little son
of the dying man also was there. He
had happened to be at the City Hall as
his father was brought in He pushed
up to him TO speak. Mr.. Wishart said
nothing, but raised up his lips TO kiss
him. He was manly little fellow of
about twelve years and struggled hard
TO keep back the tears. He kept con-
4. lit 4. L.
please viii he dic?" W hle Wishart
was lying in the City Hall basement the
officers arrived with Pierce. The crowd
had collected in great numbers at the
first intima ton that the notorious Pierce
had killed a man. They we TANNED
about the City Hall so thicky that the
officers had difficulty I'm opening way
through the mob. As he slipped out Of
his buggy the Marshal demanded his re-
volvers. He gave them up A voice in
the crowd cried out: "N here is the
rope?" a look OF dismay flashed over
Pierces features. He gave one look at
the angry crowd. another at his weapons,
now out OF his hands, and then bounded
up the steps. lie was carried down the
stairs On the way he was cursing and
swearing continually. He said "You
can't put me I'm jail You've no right to.
/ demand bonds. But, bonds or no
bonds, he was hustled down. When he
came TO the door OF the cells he was
searched The holsters were still on
him. Then turning to the officers who
were searching him he said: "What are
you trembling for? Why, you shake
like n leaf Docs it take six or eight
men TO arrest one man? / can arrest
a man alone aud b. will come. -,
After few hurried words. IN which he
said he had acted in self-defensc, Pierce
was taken TO the cage and put in. When
brought down the lower hall he passed
by the head of his gIoaning victim, but
he did not deign TO give him a glance,
| and seemed actually proud OF his deed.
He was cool and collected, having recov-
cred from his fright, and continually
tainted the officers His lean, cadaver
Gus features and furtive eyes did not
quail as he looked at any one. and his
whole appea:an, was one OF daredevil