Clark County Clipper, November 27, 1884
CRIME! AND JUSTICE!
Two Men And A
Girl Shot In Cold Blood!
One of the Murders Captured and Hung.
Ashland has since Friday last been the scene of mush
excitement, which culminated Wednesday evening in the murder of Commodore Boggs
and Daniel Adams, and the wounding of Miss Fannie Hankins. The circumstances
connected with the affair, as nearly as can be ascertained at this time, are as
follows:
The men who did the shooting were Joe Mitchell and Nels Matthews. Joe Mitchell
came to this country about two weeks ago, being reported that he had gotten into
difficulty near Hazelton and was compelled to leave there. Nels Matthews had
been about here for some three or four months and had no occupation during that
time. They, together with two or three other, rode into town Friday afternoon
and shot a fine gray hound, belonging to Ad Powers, they also shot out several
window lights and broke the door of Roby & Lyon's grocery.
The weather was quite severe Saturday and Sunday and they did not put in an
appearance. Monday afternoon they came down from the saloon at Clark and
commenced shooting at dogs. They then rode into many of the business houses
with drawn revolvers. Did considerable shooting. Some shots were fired at our
citizens. They roped and threw a pony several times and also roped a man from
his mule he was riding. They constantly became more bold in their
depredations. The next object of their cruelty was a man and boy who were
riding out of town on a wagon. They roped them several times but were unable to
drag them from their wagon. Some words passed between them and Matthews beat
both man and boy with his six shooter. Shortly after this they attempted to
take a shotgun from a young man named Frank Gage who objected, jumped back and
drew down on Matthews, who then run into Roby's store, loading his six shooter
and followed Gage, but did not get an opportunity to shoot him. That evening
they confined themselves to tearing down houses.
Tuesday only three men were in the gang, there having been five the night
before, Matthews followed by Mitchell rode into Lee's restaurant and then shot
through the door and front of the building while several persons were at
dinner. Fortunately no one was injured. By this time the citizens had made up
their minds to take the matter into their own hands, there being no officer
nearer than Dodge City, many shot guns and arms were in readiness that evening
but the desperadoes had been warned and did not come into town, but rode over
___ and contented themselves with firing a few shots. Watch was kept in town
until a late hour. One man who, it is said had been trying to keep Matthews and
Mitchell from continuing their spree, left them in the afternoon.
Nothing occurred in town Wednesday to arouse suspicion until about half past
five o'clock p.m., when a certain individual rode into town from the north and
back again so quickly as to arouse the distrust of the poor fellows who so
shortly after, met their untimely end. Those very boys gave the alarm and in a
few minutes their suspicion was verified.
Matthews and Mitchell rode into the post office and Matthews mailed a letter.
They then rode through town and over the bluff where the trail comes in from the
East. They tied their horses in the clump of trees between Mr. Lowery's and
Bear Creek and went upon the hill between the dug out and town. When Adams and
Boggs passed and went down into Lowery's dug out, where they were boarding,
Mitchell and Matthews followed them. The dug out had only two rooms, a main
room and an ante room. Supper was spread and the table full of boarders. The
victims were standing in the anteroom together with Mrs. Woods, Fannie Hankins
and a little girl. Mitchell and Matthews stopped to the entrance and Mitchell,
addressing Boggs, said; "here pard, we want to speak to you." He answered that
he would not step out with them. Mitchell then grabbed him by the coat collar
with one hand and raising his six shooter with the other shot him in the
stomach. At the same time Matthews shot Adams in the breast. Both boys
probably made efforts to draw their revolvers, as one was found drawn and
cocked, and the other partially drawn. Three or four shots fired, one of which
struck Fannie Hankins in the arm, inflicting only a flesh wound. It is thought
that the shot was intended for her.
Immediately after the shooting the murderers took to their horses and rode
rapidly toward Clark. Deputy Sughrue, who had been informed of the trouble,
left Dodge at 11 a.m. and as good fortune would have it rode into Clark shortly
after the shooting was done, and made for the saloon, thinking there was where
he would find the men he was after. No one was there however, but as he passed
out Mitchell rode up and Mr. Sughrue arrested him upon suspicion. This was
hardly done when Matthews rode up, having left a poor horse of his own and taken
one belonging to Mr. Griffin. Matthews called to Mitchell to come on and
Mitchell answered; "I can't, I'm arrested." Sughrue then commanded Matthews to
halt, but he fired at him in reply upon which they exchanged three shots, and
Matthews galloped away in the night. The deputies, Sughrue and Thompson, then
brought their prisoner to Ashland, where they were met by an excited throng.
The extraordinary bravery and determination of the deputies is all that
prevented Mitchell being taken from them and dealt with summarily. After the
prisoner was secured, deputy Sughrue with a large force started in search of
Matthews.
Everything had quieted down by midnight and the streets were deserted. A strong
force guarded the prisoner and it was little thought that the people would take
justice into their own hands. About three o'clock however, the room quickly
filled with men and before there was any chance to resist, deputy Thompson and
his assistants were over powered. The prisoner was snatched out during the
disturbance, and daylight Thursday morning disclosed his lifeless body suspended
from a beam of Bullen & Averill's lumber shed. He was cut down at 10:25 o'clock
a.m. and an inquest was held as follows:
STATE OF KANSAS
FORD COUNTY
An inquisition holden at Ashland in Ford county, State of Kansas, on the 27th
day of November, A. D., 1884, before me. Cleo A. Exline, a Notary Public in and
for said county, (such inquisition being held by me at the request of William
Thompson, Deputy Sheriff of said county, on account of the great distance to the
Coroner, or a Justice of the Peace) acting as Coroner on the body of Joe
Mitchell there lying dead, by the jurors whose names are hereunto subscribed.
The said jurors upon their oaths do say: That the person now here lying dead
was known by the name of Joe Mitchell; that he came to his death on the night of
November 26th, A. D., 1884, at Ashland, Ford county State of Kansas, by being
hanged by the neck, by persons unknown to the jury.
H. B. Wakefield
C. M. Brush
J. R. Glen
F. D. Webster
C. E. Rhodes
J. L. Blackford
Attest: Geo. A. Exline, Notary Public and acting Coroner of Ford county, Kansas.
The victims of this cold blood murder were both men of families and were here to
make homes for themselves. They were very quiet peaceable and law abiding
citizens. Daniel Adams was twenty three years old, he leaves a wife and one
child. C. P. Boggs was twenty four years old and also leaves a wife and one
child.
B. W. Burchett accompanied the remains to Mt. Savage, Center county, Ky., where
their families are for interment.
For want of space the finding of the Coroner's inquest is omitted. The verdict
however, was that they came to their deaths by pistols in the hands of Joe
Mitchell and Nels Matthews.
Other facts connected with this foul tragedy may be expected next week.
---
Deputy Sheriff Michael Sughrue, will remain with us. With him here we will have
no further occasion for coroner's inquests.
---
Sheriff, Pat Sughrue whose brother has rendered us such efficient service
arrived Thursday night.
Matthews is still at large.
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Clark County Clipper, October 14, 1884
The Arrest
After the excitement incident to the killing of Adams and Boggs, had
partially subsided, Sheriff Sughrue arrested Norval Dudley, D. W. Wood, Calvin
Ward, Dr. W. F. Davis and J. E. Church, upon suspicion of being party to the
hanging of Joe Mitchell.
Why the above persons should have been selected may be a matter of curiosity to
some; it has been intimated however, that they were selected on account of good
looks.
Norval Dudley is honored with being the first settler in this part of the
country. He is also President of the late Clark City Town Company and a man who
is looked up to and respected by the people of this community.
Mr. Wood came here recently. he is a contractor and builder, and is
superintendent the work on the new hotel.
Calvin Ward had lived here for some time engaged in different occupations and is
known by the people to be an industrious and peaceable citizen.
Dr. Davis came to Clark county some four months since, from Iowa and is a
practicing physician. He came here partially on account of his health and has
made many friends. His age ia about 65, he is too old to receive many hard
knocks.
James E. Church was one of the first to come to this county early in the
Spring. He is editor and Proprietor of the Clipper, also a surveyor and
member of the land firm of Church & Myers, at Ashland.
The sheriff together with his deputies, prisoners and a large delegation of
representative men of Ashland, left for Dodge City Saturday afternoon. All
stopped at Bluff Creek for the night, Dodge City was reached about 2 o'clock
Sunday afternoon. Several business men of Dodge greeted the party upon their
arrival. It being Sunday it was impossible to give bail and after a good
dinner, given by Mr. Averill, of the firm of Bullen & Averill at the Great
Western Hotel, the prisoners were taken to the county jail. Sheriff Sughrue was
very obliging so that the prisoners had good quarters, and, so far as
practicable, every thing to make them comfortable.
Monday afternoon a hearing was called before R. G. Cook, a justice of the
peace. In the absence of Prosecuting attorney Whitelaw, the justice stated that
if would be impossible to proceed with the case. J. W. Ivey and R. B. Likes,
attorneys for the defense, then asked fro bail which request was granted. The
bail bond was fixed at Three Thousand Dollars for each defendant, making a total
of Fifteen Thousand Dollars. The bonds were soon made out and there is reason
to believe that no better were ever given in Ford County. The sureties in
addition to the defendants, were the Ashland Town Company, R. M. Wright, H. B.
Bell and S. Garland.
The preliminary hearing is called for the 10th. inst., at the office of Justice
Cook. Every thing was found quiet at Dodge and all returned to Ashland Tuesday
morning well pleased with the result of the trip.
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More About the Tragedy.
THE MURDERED MEN.
In last week's Clipper we stated that B. W. Burchett had
started to Kentucky with the remains of Daniel Adams and C. P. Boggs, the
victims of the late murder. It was his intent to take them to their old homes.
Temporary coffins were made, the inquest held, the bodies dressed and in six
hours after they had started to supper their lifeless forms were in charge of
Messrs. Burchett, Powers and Henderson, being conveyed to Dodge City where Mr.
Burchett intended to encase them in suitable caskets and take then onward, but
on arrival there he concluded to interr them, for the present, in the cemetery
at that place which was done on Friday. They were both young and strong; and
above the average size, being about six feet in height and weighing about 175
lbs. each. They were of good families and relatives of Capt. Nipp and J. J.
Kennedy of this place. Each had married the other's sisters. The only reason
that can be described why these two men should be the victims of such direful
deeds is that they were willing to stand by the citizens in the protection of
their lives and property.
NELS MATTHEWS.
Matthews is still at large. Various reports are afloat to his escape when
he is, and has been. Just before Deputy Sughrue encountered him in Clark he had
cut the saddle off the horse on which he had fled from Ashland, it being the
property of the saloon keeper in Clark, threw it upon one of W. Griffins horses,
tied near the house. Mrs. Griffin saw him take the horse and supposing it was
her brother, said; " that you Harry?" and the answer came back "yes." He seated
himself in the unfastened saddle and the next minute, Sughrue, who could have
shot him had he known what had had happened. Mr. Griffin recovered his horse
Tuesday at the K ranch, 14 miles northwest of here. Parties there informed him
that Matthews was at the ranch and changed horses at 8 o'clock, an hour after
the murder. We also learn from a credible source that Matthews, as he rode up
to the ranch said, "halloo" and on being answered asked, "is there anything up,"
he was told there was not, he then said he had gotten into trouble at Ashland
and the only thing he cared for was that he was afraid he had hurt a woman. He
then asked for a horse but was told that they were all rode down, but another
party spoke up and told him there was one out there he could have. Mr. Griffins
horse bears evidence of desperate riding.
Nels Matthews was born and raised in Texas. He is about twenty five years old,
5 ft. 10 in. tall, weight 145 -150 pounds, hair almost black with hazel eyes and
smooth shaven face. He always dresses neatly and on the day of the murder wore
a new coat and vest of a black color and a broad brimmed white hat, though he
usually wore a black felt. He talks but little and rarely laughs.
JOSEPH MITCHELL
He is also a native of Texas. His mother, a Mrs. _aiue, lives near Hazelton
this state. A statement of his hanging was given last week.
After being cut down at 10:25 a.m. Thursday, he was removed to Bullen &
Averill's office. A neat coffin and black suit was furnished by the Edgar bros.
who are acquainted with his family. On Friday a number of citizens and a few
from the ranches interred his body across the trail, east of the town site.
When captured he wore Matthews hat and a common suit of clothes. On his person
was found $2.60 in money and a letter from his mother bearing date of Oct. 26
asking him to mend his ways.
In personal appearance he bore some distinctive marks. His height was about 5
feet 7 inches, weight 140 pounds, light complexion, gray eyes and a triangular
face. He had a slight lameness in his walk on account of his left leg bowing
outward. He was quite young looking and probably not as old as Matthews. When
the excited crowd was yelling "hang him" just after the sheriff brought him from
Clark, he very complaisantly smoke a cigar, and when led to where his victim
lay, evinced no emotion. While the smith was making the manacles with which to
bind him he talked ready to parties who plied him with numerous questions. The
chains on his legs, he was taken to Loe's restaurant where he ate supper sitting
near the door. After supper, he continued to talk when questioned and as fast
as one cigarette was gone he as carefully and neatly made another, as though he
was enjoying the freedom of the plains. He remained near the door all evening
and was within easy reach when the mob took him.
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Clark County Clipper, December 18, 1884
The Acquittal.
The preliminary hearing of the person's arrested for being connected
with the mob that lynched Mitchell, was held at Dodge Dec. 10th, at 2 p.m.
before Justice Cook. County attorney Whitelaw and Fred Wenie appeared for the
state and J. W. Ivey, R. B. Likes and T. F. Jones for the defense.
The witnesses for the prosecution were William Thompson, Rob't Lyons, Clark
Chipman and C. C. Lee. Thompson was the man with Mike Sughrue when Mitchell was
arrested, and had charge of the prisoner when he was overpowered by the mob.
Rob't Lyons a resident of the place, was deputized to help guard the prisoner.
Clark Chipman had been on a hunt in the Territory and arrived at Ashland on the
evening of the murder. He also was deputized to guard the prisoner. C. C.
Lyons is the proprietor of the Ashland restaurant, which place the prisoner was
guarded until taken by the mob. Mike Sughrue was the last witness called. He
testified as to who his deputies were and that he had been promised by various
persons that if he would go in search of Matthews no harm should come to his
prisoner.
About the only facts were developed by the examination were thus already known
to the public.
Mitchell was captured at Clark a few minutes after the murder and taken to
Ashland, where he was placed under the guard of the persons who attended as
witnesses. He was taken from there between three and four o'clock the following
morning. The town was all excitement and persons had been passing in and out of
the room where the prisoner was being guarded all night. The first intimation
of trouble was the filling of the room by people, and in another moment the
murderer was gone. Further more this testimony was very vague and
unsatisfactory. One witness testified that there were more than one hundred
persons in the room, which is rather amusing when it is known that it would have
been difficult to have crowed one fourth that number of people into the room.
At the close of the examination of the witnesses, which occupied about an hour,
Atty. Whitelaw waived his opening and the argument for the defense was opened by
Col. T. F. Jones, J. W. Ivey making the close. Both gentle men dwelt upon the
weakness of the evidence and also upon the peculiar character of the case.
Messrs. Wenie & Whitelaw did what they could to make a case, and have the
accused bound over to the next term of court.
The Judge at the close of the argument, stated that he would reserve his
decision until the following day and adjourned. Thursday afternoon, at 4
o'clock, court was called and decision rendered. The case was dismissed and the
defendants discharged. Thus ends the trouble and turmoil which has agitated
this community for some time past.
Submitted by ~Shirley Brier~ in September 27, 2005.
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