The Saint Paul globe., 1905-04-10
Special to The Globe

BEAUDETTE. Mimi, April O.
Mayor Matt c. Cannon, one of the last
OF the frontier characters, died with his
boots on In Catchardts hotel here last
night, shot in the back, while drink
ing at the bar with a crowd of his bit
terest enemies. a townsite fight, and
the fact that he had been instrumental
in the fining and Imprisonment of his
enemies of Spooner, a small town two
miles from here, was the cause which
led to one OF the most dastardly mur-
ders that this part of the country has
ever seen.
Matt Cannon was mayor of Beaudette
and the chief official of the town of
Spooner. The town of Spooner, which
was only small village, was backed
by the Spooner Townsite company, of
which Judge Spooner of Bemidji Is the
head.
Cannon came here from Crookston,
where he ran a hotel. He is said to
have been brought here by certain in
terests because he was known as a
man who always had a gun ready and
who knew the iron rule of the frontier.
and his policy was that the end justi-
fed the means
Turned Back on Enemies
Because he would never take a dare
from his enemies. would calmly go to
the bar and take a drink while he
knew that his enemies lurked behind
him with drawn revolvers. Matt Can
non now lies dead in the morgue In
this city.
Come on. let's have a drink" said
Cannon.
Scowling, but not daring to disoeby.
q dozen or more lined up at the bar
at Cacchardt's hotel.
Give 'em licker." said Cannon, as
he ran an eye down the line of men
whom he knew were his enemies. He
was the better man and they knew
it, Matt Cannon knew that not one
of that crowd would dare come out
in the open and on this he relied.
The bartender knew that something
was in the air. All day long scowling
men had filed the hotel. He knew
that Matt Cannon had sat with his
back to the wall, always ready with
his gun, watching always every man
that entered. He knew that these men
who drank at the expense of Matt
Cannon were not his friends. He look
ed about for the sign Gents are re-
quested to shoot clear of the barkeep,"
but IL was not in sight. His hand
shook as he set out the bottles and
glasses, but he kept on at his work,
not daring TO stop.
It's a nice evening" said Gam
l..
along TO the man who stood next to
him. Matt Cannon lifted his glass.
Here's looking at YOU" he said, as
he raised his glass.
Down the line of men that stood
next to the rough bar there was om-
inous looks. Alone stood Matt Gam
non, with nothing but his nerve, while
around him stood more than a dozen
of men waiting for trouble. But from
Matt Cannon ii never came.
Here's looking at you," said Cannon
in a mocking voice as he lifted his
glass, and four pistol shots rang out
while Cannon, slowly turning, sank TO
the floor
Glass was shattered, the bartender
ducked behind the bar, and others
scattered in every direction. Lights
went out, there were shrieks and groans
and cries of that's enough" But
Matt Cannon lay dying on the floor.
He was shot in the leg, in the back
and kidneys. Two shots had gone wild
and buried themselves in the bar,
where the men We're drinking.
Come out and fight like men. I'll
kill every one of you," howled Gam
non. But the work was done, and the
men from Spooner scattered. fearing
that Cannon would yet be able to
wreck his vengeance on them. They
we're for taking no chances. Hoof
beats told that they had accomplished
to safety.
Ruled With Iron Hand
And thus died Matt Cannon. He
has ruled this northern country with
an iron hand since coming here and II
took host of his enemies TO destroy
him.
The hotel people rushed to his relief
after they were sure that the gamblers
and desperadoes of Spooner had fed.
He was game, even in death. With
blood squirting from his mouth and
from his wounds he shouted:
Give me a chance at them,' he
gasped dying.
You are too weak" said the hotel
keeper.
What do 1 care" moaned Cannon.
Let me get at EN-"
But they lifted him tenderly TO a
lounge and sent for a doctor. He
was dying and never would he fight
again.
This is the final chapter in Matt
Gannon's career. Since coming here
he haC do h hfsrac CT - ha