People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1894 — THREE SHOT DOWN. [ARTICLE]

THREE SHOT DOWN.

Fatal Result of a Political Quarrel in Mississippi. Kev. Sir. Ratllffe Kills Representative Jackson and a Bystander at Kosciusko —Another Spectator Is Mortally Wounded. A SOUTHERN TRAGKDV. Memphis, Tenn., March o.—The most sensational tragedy in the historv of Mississippi occurred at Kosciusko, the county seat of Attala county, Saturday. S. A. Jackson, a member of the state legislature End one of the most prominent democratic politicians in the state, was shot and instantly killed and 6amuel Russell and William Sanders, two innocent bystanders, fatally wounded by Rev. W. P. Ratliffe, also a member of the legislature and one of the leaders of the populist party in Missouri The tragedy was the culmination of a political feud of long standing which was brought to a climax by a bitter nevvspaner controversy. Ratliffe published an editorial in his paper, the Vindicator, reflecting on Jackson’s vote in the recent contest in the legislature over the election of a successor to United States Senator Walthall. Jackson replied in a card in another paper, in which he denounced Ratliffe as a liar.

The two men met at the courthouse in Kosciusko Saturday for the first time since the publication of Jackson’s article. There was a large crowd on hand attending a bankrupt sale by the sheriff. No one noticed the meeting of the two men until they began scuffling in the courthouse door. Both Ratliffe and Jackson pulled their revolvers and began a terrible duel to the death. When the smoke of battle cleared away Jackson was found with a bullet hole in his forehead, while his right arm near the shoulder was shattered by a glancing shot aimed at his head A few feet away lay Samuel Russell and William Sanders, two bystanders, with mortal wounds. Russell was shot through the head and expired in a few minutes. Sanders was shot in the thigh and is expected to die. Ratcliffe discharged every chamber of his revolver, and, finding that he had no more ammunition, ho coolly stood and watched the writhing of his victims until the sheriff arrested him and took him to jail. Ratcliffe was seen in the jail and asked for a statement, but he refused to talk further than to say he shot Jackson in self-defense. Jackson was a prominent merchant of Kosciusko and was reputed to be a wealthy man. lie leaves a wife and several children. Russell and Sanders, the bystanders who were shot, were farmers. The jail is strongly guarded to prevent Ratliffe being lynched by Jackson’s friends. Mr. Ratliffe was leader of the populist party in this section, and represented this county iu the legislature, He is a “hardshell” Baptist preacher.