The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-23
Sylvester q. Harrison, of Wich-
sita, Dangerously Wounded
While Serving as Special Police
man at BOnesteel, s. ID.
FIRED ON BY THUGS.
Another Officer Hit I'm the Leg
at Same Time.
Vigilance Committee Is Search
ing for Their AssaiIants.

Bonesteel, S. D., July 23.-After an
extremely exciting day and night a
serious shooting affray took place
about o'clock this morning. SyI-
vester c. Harrison of wichita and a
man named Scarborough, whose ad-
dress can not be learned, two special
policemen, were shot by a gang of
thugs in front of a saloon. Harrison
was shot in the forehead and at first
it was thought his wound would prove
fatal but later it was said he was
resting easy and 1t is now hoped he
will recover. Stanbrough's wound was
in the leg and will not result seriously.
Harrison, who is about "a years
of age, arrived here last night with
friend, who claims that the young
man is in good financial circum-
stances. Being a lover of excitement
he at once joined the police force
and had been on duty but a short
time when he was shot. The men
who did the shooting ran around
back of the saloon and made their
escape in the darkness and have not
yet been apprehended. A vigilance
committee was at once formed and
began rounding up the Objectionable
characters of the town.
The police station is filed with sus-
poets and arrests are being made ev-
cry few minutes. 1t is reported that
house east of the town, in which a
dozen or Is shots were exchanged, but
the details are not obtainable. Infor-
nation of a definite character is hard
to secure all sorts of rumors how
ever, are current. The saloon where
the shooting took place today was the
scene of another affray a night or so
ago and it has been closed by the
authorities.
John McPhaul, in charge of the reg
istry- Office of the federal government,
sent message to Governor Herreid
telling of the lawlessness and offering
the opinion that troops should be sent
to that town to preserve order until
after the rush attending the entry
period which begins August 1. Agent
McPhaul in his telegram stated that
as a government officer he could
make no requests for soldiers, except
through federal authorities, and said
that the above was his opinion of the
situation. No reply had been received
to the communication up to noon.
With the arrest last night of a num-
Der of suspicious characters there was
found a complete outfit of safe blow
ing tools, dynamite, ETC. Patrick
Magger, a concessionaire, accidentally
shot himself today, infiicting a serious
but not dangerous wound.
Registration proceeded at the led
eral building as usual, although with
reduced numbers, this being the last
day. Not over a thousand are expect
ed to register today
About forty men arrested yesterday
and last night were convicted today
and will be deported.
Harrison Is a Farmer.
Wichita, Kas., July 23.-Sylvester
Harrison is a farmer, 81 years old,
living near Colwich, Is miles north
west of this city He is a widower
with one child. He left here Saturday
night. He lately returned from Cali
fornia. He is of a rowing disposition,
but in the vicinity in which he was
reared has a good reputation. He has
lived near CoIwich since he was
child. There is a family named Stan
baugh living near the Sylvester home.