The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-12-15
TOM SLAUGHTER
SHOT IN BACK
Daring Bandit Alleged to
Have Been Killed by
Negro Aide.
FIVE ARE RECAPTURED
Negroes Condemned to Death
Tell Lurid Story of Killing of
Leader Along Lonely Road.
tBy Associated Press Leased wire.)

tBy Associated Press Leased Wire.)
Little Rock, Ark-The last escape of
Tom Slaughter, noted bandit with
record of nearly score of breaks for
freedom from southwestern jails and
prisons, led to his death in the Salina
county hills at the hands of one of the
convicts he liberated, according to the
story on which Sheriff J. ], Groves
posses early today were basing their
search for Slaughter's body. The pos
ses early today started on the trail of
the seven convicts, starting from the
point where they abandoned their bull
let-ridden automobile and fed into the
woods. j. C. Howard, who surrendered
with four others of the six who ac-
copied Slaughter's offer of freedom,
told officials he shot Slaughter in the
back and had intended to, shoot him
from the moment the party made their
escape. The note Howard said he left
in the prison bearing the same state
ment could not be found early today.
Left Negro Dying.
Beside the body of Slaughter, accord
ing to Towards story, lay dying ne
gro, wounded in brush with the au-
thorities of Benton, who were watching
for the fleeing prisoners. Prison au-
thorities today were endeavoring to
trace the source of the person who gave
Slaughter the chance to effect his six
hour dominion Of the penitentiary,
disarm guards, lock the warden and his
70 in ha oixyi1
attire and an automobile for the escape
offer freedom to all the convicts who
wished to join him,
Slaughter's plan for escape began to
take form Thursday evening when he
summoned guard and asked for a
blanket. The guard entered the death
cell where Slaughter was to be quar-
tered until Dec. 10th, the date set for
his electroeution, and advanced to the
despeFado's cot. He was met with a
gun in the bandits hands. The guard
was disarmed and then taken to the
warden's Office where three other
guards were disarmed while Slaughter
used guard for protection. He then
locked the guards in a cell. Continu-
ing to the hospital ward Slaughter
forced a nurse to lead him to the war
denis home where he made the wardea
and his family leave their beds and
return to the prison, locking them in
the death cell and the one adjoining.
Tells Story of Flight.
Leaving the prison, Slaughter and
his companions took an automobile and
the tires from another nearby and es-
capped after attiring themselves in CIV
ilian clothing. Enroute through Ben
ton the convicts engaged in gun fight
with police and citizens in which one
negro was wounded. Posses from Hot
Springs, Little Rock, Benton and near
by towns took up the chase, finally
forcing the bandits into the woods of
Salina county where Slaughter was re-
ported killed. A number of prisoners,
including six ngroes, who were SEN
fenced in connection with the Elaine
riots. refused to accompany Slaughter
in his escape.
Died Like Jesse James.
st. Joseph, Mo, = The shooting of
Slaughter by Howard. the man whom
Slaughter had given a chance for lib
erty, parallels somewhat the death of
Jesse James, the southwest's most IA
nous outlaw. James, however, was
shot by relative and old friend while
Howard, it is understood, was not
former associate of Slaughter. With
the gradual scattering of the James
boys band through activities of police
and state authorities, Jesse James re-
tired to his home at St. Joseph, where
for time he remained undisturbed,
his pursuers fearing to follow him
there. Bob Ford, cousin of Jesse and
one of the band most intimate with
the feared leader, was persuaded by
the authorities, it is said. to shoot
down the noted bandit for the promise
of immunity and the large rewards
offered. While in apparently friendly
conversation with the outlaw leader,
Ford shot Jesse James in the back
as the latter was standing on a chair
to adjust a picture hanging on the wall.