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Show IT WAS MURDER. I'reietai's of th a Cold Blooded Killing Ieputy tthrrffT"fr jii-T'-- The Leadville Herald -Democrat gives the following particulars of the cold blooded murder of "Billy" McAhan at Creede: "I did not see the shooting of 'Red' McAhan, Mc-Ahan, by Light, a brother-iii-law of "Soapy Smith,' " said a miner who came in from Creede yesterday yester-day afternoon, "but learned nearly all the particulars before leaving Creede. It appears thut the Smith men up there travel in a gang, and are a perfect terror. It was shortly after 3 o'clock when flye of them went into Dave Long's place, where McAhan was standing. Light made some insulting remark to McAhan, when tho former knocked him down, and drawing his gun put two shots into the defenseless man, killing him instantly. One of the gang then went outside and tired three or four shots, two of which took effect in the casing of a window in Sponsilier's place just across tho street. The gun was then placed in the dead man's pocket to make it appear that the murder was in self defense. Lighu walked out buB was not arrested." "Was a coroner's inquest held?'' "Yes, the coroner's inquest was held. No one was admitted but the witnesses, except witnesses for the defence, and a verdict of self-defenee was returned at once. To tell the truth, the jury was afraid to return any I other verdict. There is a great deal of feeling feel-ing over the matter up there, 'even among the business men, but they don't dare to say anything. 1 was stopped several times by my friends for expreesing my opinion too freely about the matter. The whole truth is, the Smith element has the camp under a reign of terror. The murdered man was spoken of as a quiet, inoffensive fellow, never known to quarrel, and it is only ,t matter of time when a vigilance committee will be organized there to wipe the Smith element entirely out. Everybody seems to be afraid to say anything, but just now they are, doing a heap of thinking. "Does Bob Ford belong to the gang?" "No. Soapy's men seem to have it in for Bob, but they are cowards and only shoot unarmed men. They know if they go for Bob they will tind a man armed, and that he will shoot. I was toid that one tough went looking for Bob with a shotgun some time ago, but did not find him. I notice. Light did not lose much time in getting away. Ho did not go on to Denver. I think he will gt to. Oklahoma, where he came from. Aly honest conviction is, the reign of terror will continue tip there until the vigilantes run Smith and his gang out. I don't care to have my name mentioned in connection with what you publish, but I assure you what I have said is true. I have to go back there on business matters, and I have no desire to be picked out as a mark." |