The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-04
M'TAGGART SHOT
Well Known Kansas Politician
Shot Down.
McTaggart's Young Son Also
Shot in the Arm.
DEED OF A RENTER.
Murderer and His Victim Had
Lawsuit.
Something Of McTaggart's Life
as a Soldier and Citizen.

Coffeyvil1e Aug. 4-Ex-Senator Dan
McTaggart was shot at his home nine
miles north of here yesterday by Henry
Shesley.
Mr. McTaggart was sitting down at
the time Shes1ey walked up in front
of him, and, placing a revolver to his
breast, fired the fatal shot without a
word of warning.
McTaggart's 14-year-old son rushed
to his fathers assistance. Shesley
shen turned the weapon on the boy
shooting him through the left hand and
light arm, wounding him seriously A
physician was quickly summoned, and
found that the ball fired at Senator
McTaggart had passed near the heart
and would prove fatal. He died at 3
o'clock.
The greatest excitement prevailed. and
there was talk of lynching the murder
er. Shesiey was taken at once to In
dependence and lodged in jail
The trouble which led to the murder
grew out of law suit between Mr.
McTaggart and Shesfey. who has been
renting a mill of McTaggart for the
past few years. McTaggart obtained q
judgment against Shesley, and the
constable had levied on some property,
and was selling it to satisfy this judg
ment at the time of the killing.
Senator McTaggart was one of the
best known politicians in the state. He
represented this county IA years in the
legislature, six in the house and eight
in the senate. He had always been an
ardent Republican up to the last cam
paign. when he Joined the free silver
forces and supported Bryan. A few
weeks ago he was appointed a member
of the board of managers of the Hutch
lnSon reforInatory by Governor Leedy-
Captain Daniel McTaggart. of Mont
gomery county, was a unique figure in
Kansas politics He was in continuous
service (national and state) probably
longer than any other man in the state.
He started in in the summer of 1861
and had been public officer of some
description almost ever since. He has
a most remarkable record as a soldier
having been captured four different
times, only to effect an escape each
time
He was born at De HenrysvilIe. Can
ada, East, August 3, 1910. He lived in
that French settlement until Il years of
age. when ne removed with his parents
to Rock county. Wis. Two years later
his family moved to Chickasaw county.
Iowa, and he attended school there un-
III lS59 he taught school the winter of
1850 and the spring of 1861. On July s.
1851, ne enlisted in Company 3, Seventh
Iowa infantry He was taken prisoner
at the battle of Belmont on November
Z. 1851, but escaped at Memphis March
4 1852 Six days later he was recap
tured and confined in a dungeon at
Jackson, Tenn, until April Z. While
being taken from Memphis TO Corinth
ne escaped, passing through the ranks
of the Confederate army and joining
his company at Pittsburg Landing
three days later
tober ?. 1852, he was taken prisoner for
the third time but escaped two davs
after and Joined his company In the
spring of 1864 he was prOnofad to the
position of captain of Company G Third
United States colored troops For the
fourth time he was captured at An
following day.
Captain McTaggart served as provost
marshal a MurfreesbOro during the
summer of 1865. and was appointed SIM
6rlnten00nt of the Of he
national cemetery at Murfrees boro
From there he was transferred to
Nashville, where he laid out and sup
er1ntended the construction of the ma
tional cemetery at that place In 1865
he went to New Albany. Ind and wa
placed in charge of the work on the
was completed in 1858. During that three
years of service he superintended the
laying, out and beautifying of grounds;
ana rebur1al of over %. 900 fallen heroes
From 1851 to 1869 he was in the gov
eminent army service. without the loss
OF an hour, except when he was in
It was on February %. 1869, that he
stepped on Kansas soil. He settled in
montgomery county and staked out 2
claim, on which he has resided ever
since. AS soon as he landed he 80
named as postmaster of Liberty. which
position he held until 1878. In 1882 he
county. and served three terms. This
was followed by two terms in the sar
ate, which brought his official career
qualified.
He was appointed by Governor I.eedv
as member of the board of managers
OF the Hutchinson reformatory a few
months ago to succeed Senator Wal
lack OF AtchisOn, who died in April He
was chairman of the senate investigat-
ing committee which investigated
householder and Waite. members of
Ihe state board of charities under the
Lewellng administration. and which
resulted in their discharge from the
board by Governor Morrill,
captain McTaSgart was a Republican
put he left the party last fall after the
= LOUIS convention had declared for
tne gold standard. and worked nieb+ 1
and day for the Bryan electoral ticket
in Kansas.
IRRIGATION BENEFIT.