Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-05-21
MBZEPPA 0U7DONE,
FATE OF WILD BILLS SLAYER
IN DEADW00D.
Row Jack Mccall Was Given His
Liberty A Verdict That Was
Unique.

been held, however, WIN tuo llul
best fitted to tell the story which
ought to give an accurate statement.
This man is Judge Shannon Of Dem
yer. 1t was early in the '70's when
the Judge went to Dakota under ap-
pointment by Gen. Grant as Terri
torial Chief Justice, and probably no
man is SO familiar with the thrilling
incidents connected with the early
settlement by the whites.
ut was in 1876 that Wild Bill was
murdered in Deadwood by Jack
Mccall. Nearly every one has heard
the story Of Wild Bill, but am Of the
opinion that the story Of the trial OF
Mccall by lynch court and his
marvellous escape has never appeared
in print" said Judge Shannon.
"McCall was afterward tried before
me, found guilty Of murder in the
first degree, sentenced to the gallows
and subsequently hanged at Yankton.
During his trial all the incidents Of
the murder and his escape were
brought out.
wild Bill was playing cards, when
Mccall walked up behind him and
shot him dead. The assassin was
instantly seized by those present, and
a mob soon assembled that cried for
blood. 1t was finally decided to
organize a court and give him trial
for his life. A Judge was selected, a
jury Of twelve men was impaneled,
and counsel was appointed for both
prosecution and the defense. The
prosecution made out strong case
of cold-blooded, deliberate murder.
When it came to the defense, Mccall,
who was a man of some education and
ability, addressed the jury himself.
He struck the only chord that was
likely to vibrate to his interests when
he said he had known Wild Bill down
in Texas: that they were friends, and
that he had introduced him to his
family. Wild Bill, he stated, had
abused his friendship and besrayed
his sister. For that crime he had
visited vengeance upon him.
"That began to put a new phase on
on matters. While they condemned
him with shooting a man without
giving him chance for his life, they
regarded the killing as justiiable'
But just then the attorney for the
prosecution came in. He asked fol
proof of McCall's story, and alleged
that McCall's evidence should have nc
weight. Mccall said he had been
hunting for Wild Bill ever since the
occurrence, and that he had no proof.
of his statements beyond his own
words, and that no sane man would
walk up in crowd and shoot another
down unless he had cause for so do
ing. The jury took the case and de-
liberated on it for some time, anc
finally returned with one Of thu
oueerest verdicts that has ever beer
heard Of by any one. They were moi
sure of his guilt, SO they decided t(
give him chance for his life.
They put him on a fast horse
filled his pockets with bread ant
cheese, and gave him minute start
after which they would kill him |
they could. They were all arme'
with Winchester rifles and revolvers
and were horsemen and excellen
shots. When the word was given Nc
Call started for his life. Before tn
minute was up he began throwing
himself rapidly from one side to tn
other to divert the aim Of his pur
suers. At the the end Of the fatefu
minute the word was given, and tn
pursuit and fusillade began.
seems almost incredible, but h
escaped. He ran into Wyoming, an
after three weeks turned up in Chey
enne, where he was arrested by
United States marshal and turne
over to marshal in Dakota. 0
trial it was shown that the story {
his sister was falsehood, cunningl
devised to save his neck. He murd
cred Wild Bill for the notoriety {
having killed the famous scout, an
thoroughly deserved the executio
that followed his conviction. Blu
the verdict Of the lynch jury wa
unique and original in crimini
trials"
Pure blood is the safeguard
health. Keep your blood pure, rio
and full Of vitality by taking Hood
{ Sarsaparilla, and you will not nee