The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-12-22
SHELBY COLE AGAIN.
How the Daring Outlaw was launched into
Eternity.

hoh Viz DftiihS O"'ifiH WOE s<sshShSu thto
Eternity.
TN Picket Shots OF July an article appears
written by myself. / stated in said article
IL that there were those who probably knew
more about the execution of Cole than
did, as / did not sec tho hanging. Since the
publishing of my article | received a letter from
q comrade of 10th III. from New York giving
more complete description Of the hanging.
have written to the comrade asking if he would
object to having this letter appear in the col
umns of your paper, and his answer is il can,
as far as he is concerned. 1t would appear to
me that the public should know the terrible
spirit of such men rs Cole Wirz, of Anderson
vile; Dick Turner, of Libby Prison, and 9TH
ers of this class.-H. Z. BOOTH, 9th Iowa,
Rowley, Iowa.
DEAR CoMRADE: In looking over Picket
Shots of The NATIONAL TRIBUNE I saw a
short story as told by you about the execution
of the rebel spy, Shelby Cole.
! saw the spy, after he was captured, lying on
the ground in camp. bound hand and foot. 1t
was reported at the time that he had stabbed
several of the members of the 9th Iowa. be-
sides killing the Sergeant. ! remember that
a woman came and looked at the prisoner as
he lay there, and made the remark, "Ah !!
Shelby they have got You at last" She
seemed to be delighted at his capture. and
stated that she was his sister; that he was an
outlaw and a terror to the neigh borhood that
she was afraid if he were to be let go he would
take her life, as he had often threatened to do
She also said he had killed several Yankees,
and boosted of it.
remember that some one asked him what
he would do if they unbound him aud let him
up. His reply was: g have killed 80 Yankees,
and would kill 30 more if had the chance"
Close by the camp was little white frame
house. and calf was grazing the grass close
by, tied by rope. Some of the boys asked
the lady Of the house for the use of the rope.
The lady who owned the rope and calf was the
one who claimed to be the sister of Shelby
Cole. Her answer was: :" You can have the
rope; it will not do any harm to the calf or
rope; take it and welcome" 1t did not take
long to do the rest. After while the body
was cut down; hole was dug near the tree,
and what was left of Shelby Cole, with a short
piece of rope around his neck, was put in the
hole. face down. A short stake was driven in
the ground in the grave and the rope tied to it.
Some soldier present, who was something of
speaker, made some remarks over the grave,
and stated that the reason for placing him face
downward was that if he came to and at
tempted to dig out he would land in the lower
region, as he was faced that way.
have often wondered how the man lived as
long as he did with the bayonet stabs that he
had received, there being several OF them.
There was one in his side and it was reported
at the timo that he was pinned to the floor of
tho car by bayonet through the side, and while
in that position tried to tear away, making the
hole still larger. l don't believe / ever saw
moro determined Or vicious. looking person in
my life than Shelby Cole. Even while he was
hanging his eyes rolled around from one side to
the other, as though he would like to attack u.s.
After hanging few minutes he drew himself
up and broke his own neck. It was something
terrible TO look at, but be deserved all he got.
OF course in those days we did not mind such
sights as We were used to seeing people killed.
Those days of carnage have passed.
Comrade. l am glad to hear that some Of
Smiths Guerrillas are still living. Giyea little
story in The NATIONAL tribune about our
Red River campaign, and tell who saved Bankss
army and the gunboats will expect to hear
from you again.-A. V0sBUReH Co. K. 10th
ILL.,, Sixteenth Corps, Fitzpatrick Post, 143, New
York City.