Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1924-01-04
SEERIFF'S DEATH
RECALLS KILLINGS
Officer In the Bald Knobber
Country in Missouri Had
Lively Career.

Forsyth, Mo.-The death of james
Polk McHafiie, seventyseven years
old, former sheriff of fancy county, in
hospital In Springfield, has removed
one Of the real pioneers of the Ozarks,
around whose life some of the most
exciting events of this hill country
were associated. He helped blaze II
trail of civilization and had exciting
experience with the Bald Knobbcrs
the terrOrs Of southwest Missouri in
the early days.
The life story of McHaftie. pic.
turesQue character, Is closely inter
woven with the White river country.
McHaftle was born in Christian
county, near Sparta, in 1876, when the
line Of that county extended to the
Observation-Disclosures boundary.
In 1854 McHaffie was elected sheriff
Of fancy ounty. At that time the Bald
Knobbers were a power In the hill
country and were one Of the many
problems which were presented to
Sheriff McHaffie for solution. He had
been elected because he was known to
be fast on the draw and fearless. Both
Of these qualities were put to severe
tests before McHaffie completed his
period of office.
Adventure With Bald knobbers.
Shortly before his death he told for
the last time the story of an adven
ture with the Bald Knobbers. The
sheriff said the knobbers were origin
ally organized for good purpose, but
later became dominated by men who
encouraged outlawry.
It was during the administration Of
Sheriff McHaffie that Frank and TIL.
bier Taylor were taken from the For
syth Jail and hanged by Bald Knob.
GERS. The Taylors were known
throughout the Ozark section for their
escapades. One night they entered the
store Of John II. Dickerson at Forsyth
and shot up the place. Dickerson was
shot through the mouth and his wife
was seriously wounded.
The offenders were apprehended
and placed in the fancy county Jail.
That night the Bald Knobbers made
their appearance. Sheriff McHafiie
said there were approximately $50
men in the band. Several of the Knob
bers leveled their weapons at the Off
Ger and ordered him to deliver the
Taylor boys to them. McHatfie was
forced to comply with this request,
since the night riders had the drop on
him.
The sheriff followed the trail of the
Bald Knobbers after they left Forsyth
and the next day found the bodies OF
the Taylor boys dangling frnm tree.
McHaffie said he had often been criti-
cized for surrendering the prisoners,
but stated that any other action would
have been foolhardy.
John Bright Lynchine.
The John Bright lynching occurred
at Forsyth in the early Dos, after the
Bald Knobbers had dlsbanded.
Bright was charged with having
murdered his wife and was placed in
the Forsyth Jail, under the care Of
Sheriff McHaffie. One night mob
surrounded the Jail. Sheriff McHaf-
fe hid out with the keys. The fury Of
the mob increased when its members
learned that McHaflie had gone away
with the keys and then proceeded to
force an entrance into the Jail. Depu
ty Sheriff George Williams attempted
to prevent the mob from breaking into
the jail and was killed. Bright was
taken out and hanged. Indignation
swept over this section because Of the
killing Of Deputy Williams.
Later a memorial public library was
established here in honor of Deputy
Williams, but now 1t is practically
abandoned.