The Green Forest tribune., 1893-07-20
DESPERATE MN SHEPPARD.
Escapes Prison and browns Himself
In the Arkansas River.

LITTLE Rock, ARK, July 15.-The
body of Min Sheppard, the notorious
desperate Of Northwest Arkansas, was
found lodged in some driftwood near
the Barring Cross bridge in the Arkan-
sas River, The coroner held an inquest
and John G. Carroll, late inspector of
State convicts, identified the body as
that of Sheppard. Sheppard made his
escape last Tuesday from the sand pits
of Saline county. where he had been
working since he was brought to the
penitentiary last April. 1t is thought
that after escaping the guards he at
tempted to swim the Arkansas River
and was drowned.
sHEPPARD'S CAREER.
Min Sheppard was one of the most daring
young desparadoes ever known on the western
border of Arkansas About two years ago he
shot and killed Officer VIII Dalton. of Rogers.
Marshal Ed Wright of Pierce City, Mo-, was
killed at the same time time Sheppard was
wanted for several crimes committed in Mis-
souri,, among them being one at Pierce City
Officer Dalton located him in the country, near
Rogers. Small posse headed by two officers
went out to take Sheppard. Frank Sheppard, a
brother OF Min Sheppard, was there also, and
when the posse surrounded the house thebrothers
made desperate fight. Officer Dalton was
eager to capture the outlaws, but when he press
ed matters too closely a bullet sent with uner-
ring aim from the Winchester of Min Sheppard
laid him low and the fugitvcs male good their
escape, not, however, until they had the Pierce
City Marshal.
For several days 70 trace of the desparadoes
could be discovered. AT last, however, it be-
came known that they were living in caves. but
before the searching party reached the subter-
ranean habitation Of tine outlaws they had
moved Shortly afterwards party of search
ers who had been several miles distant were
returning to Rogers On a freight train 1t was
suggested by some Of the posse that the out
laws nigh. be on the same train, stealing a
ride. Will Oakley, boy Is years DID, secreted
himself in boX-car aud when the train was
slowly pulling up heavy grade between Gar
field and Avoca, he was surprised to see a man
trying to climb into the car. One look into his
face proved him to be Frank Sheppard. Young
Oakley knew it was case Oflife or death, and
i'll a second his rifle rent the air with loud
report and Frank speppard fell dead. The train
stopped and after hot fight, in which several
were injured, Min Sheppard was captured. He
was lodged in Jail at Bentonville, but soon after
made his escape, and was arrested soon after
by Marshal Barrett Of Rogers al Decatur, Ill.
Nothing was heard Of him from his escape until
his arrest.
In his trial he tried to prove that it was his
his brother who killed Dalton. Sheppard was
n years old and OF fine physique. There was
at one time q large reward offered for him dead.or
alive, but various amounts were withdi avn
from time to time until only 800 remained.
The court convicted him and he was given one
year in the penitentiary which was generally
considered light sentence. On the 23rd of last
April he was placed in the penitentiary and had
served over two and half months, when he es-
capped from the sand pits Of Saline county last
Tuesday