Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1895-07-27
John TAYLOR Killed.

John Taylor. a young man, in his
twenty second year, who resided on
Lame Johny creek, six miles north Of
Buffalo Gap, was fatally shot by Horace
c. Crofford, who resides upon an adjoln-
ing farm, on Saturday evening the 10th
inst. Accounts relating to the circnm-
stances leading up to the shooting are
so conflicting, that it is impossible to
submit reliable account. 1t appears
that there has been more or less trouble
between the parties for some time as
result of Crawford permitting his sheep
to range upon Taylors land, and that
while up to that time there had been no
open rupture between the parties, the
occasion was ripe for serious conse-
quences. There is generally two sides
to story, and this case is no exception
to the rule The version given by the
defence is briefly as follows:
About half past 6 o'clock on Saturday
evening, while Croford Was herdipg be
sheep npon his ranch, John TAYLOR sad
two OF his brothers came up to Crofford
who was then mounted upon his horse
and armed with Winchester rifle, and
commenced qnarrelling with him about
his sheep, threatening him loudly with
all manner Of serions penalties il he did
not remove with his sheep from the
country. one of them John Taylor tax
ing hold Of his bride rein to prevent his
riding away. Hot words ensued which
resulted in Crofford firing shot at Tay-
lors feet, which is alleged to haye been
done to scare Taylor and cause him to
let 20 his hold upon the bride, that he
(CroffUrd) might get away. The shot
missed Taylor, who still held on to the
bride declaring that he was in no fear
of his gun. At this juncture Taylor said
to his brother Earle. boy Of IA years:
go to the house quick and get gun.
and I'll show him how to shoot" The
boy ran for the gun, but an elder
brother, William, who was at the house
refused to give him gun, but immedi-
ately started himself for the scene ofthe
trouble with a revolver. C-offord see-
ing him coming with the revolver, and
being unable to get away, John Taylor
still holding to the bride rein, he fred
another shot, intending to shoot John
Taylor in the arm and then ride away,
but by movement of the horse, the
shot took effect in the body, in the re-
gion Of the heart and caused instant
death. Crofford then rode away in the
direction Of his house, being fired upon
by William Taylor. which shots were
returned by Croford, none Of which took
effect. The other side Of the story is as
follows:
AT the time above specified the Taylor
brothers were crossing one corner Of
Crofords ranch, looking for their cows,
when they saw Crofford riding toward
them with Winchester rifle, from
which he WAS then removing the scab-
bard. lie louc NY ru tnestn utsu ea--
cused them Of writing letters threatening
his life if lie did not move his family
and sheep from the country, and said he
had ii in for them. He drew his gun
threateningly. whereupon John Taylor
told him he did not fear him in the least.
Crawford then fred at John, the ball
passing over his shonlder. Crofford and
Taylor were then fifteen or twenty feet
apart, and at no time were they any
nearer together. After the shot was
fred John again told Crofford that he
was not afraid of his gun, and that he
could not scare him, Crofford then said,
"Ill show you whether mean anything
or not" and again raising his gun, fired
the fatal shot.
The above accounts are submitted Just
as they were given to CHRONICLE re-
porter by parties claiming knowledge
of the facts, which are so conflicting In
character as to render any fixed opinion
in reference to the sad affair, entirely
out of the question, which in any event
would not be within the province of a
newspaper to express pending a trial OF
the case.
After tie shooting, Crofford went to
Buffalo Gap and gave himself up to an
officer. by whom he was brought to this
place on Sunday, and placed in the
hands of the sheriff. An inquest was
held over Taylor's remains Sunday after
noon, when, after hearing all the evil
eence, the jury rendered q verdict that
deceased came to his death by a bullet
fred from gun in the hands of Horace
C .Crofford.
An examination was held on Thurs
day before Justice Gaylord. when five
witnesses for the prosecution, William
Albert and Earle Taylor, and Jones and
Thompson, Of Edgenont, who were
visiting with the Tayler's at the time
the shooting occurred. testified in &C.
cordance with the statements made by
the Taylor's prior to the examination
~ above given. There were no wit
nesses examined for the defense other
than the defendant, whose testimony
was in marked conflict with that of the
prosecution. being practically in line
with the account given above Of that
side of the case.
States Attorney Benedict and H. d.
Reynolds conducted the prosecution,
and Messrs. Wood & Porter the defense.
The examination resulted in the hold
ing Of the defendant without bonds for
trial at the November term of the cir
cult court. whereupon he vas remanded
to Jail.
| A Panorama 100 Miles Long.