Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1886 — MURDER AND LYNCHING. [ARTICLE]

MURDER AND LYNCHING.

The Town Mamhal of Detroit, Minn., Shot and Killed by a Desperado. The Assassin Taken from Jail by a Masked Mob and Hanged to a Tree. ( [Detroit City; (Minn.) npeclal.l Marshal J, Cowdy, of this village, was murdered in cold blood by William Kahlihen, alias Big Red, a gambler and tough. The murderer and another fellow of the sftme stamp, Frank Bennet, were quarreling and creating a disturbance in front of the Masonic block. The Marshal tried to quiet them, hut instead Big Red drew a heavy revolver and tired one shot at Bennett, missing his mark. Mr. Cowey stepped forward, when Big lied fired the second shot at him, hitting him squarely in the breast, the ball passing through his heart and lodging in the back. He died instantly. Big Red was captured and lodged in Jail. Cowey was one of the most popular men in Detroit City, and had been Marshal for three years. Public feeling against the man continued to grow, and as the news of the murder spread from town to town; and from farm to farm, strangers began to come hereupon every train and by private conveyances, and the streets were thronged with pec-ple early in the evening. The body of the assassin’s victim was taken to the depot about 8 o’clock to be forwarded to friends in Rochester, Minn., and was escorted to the station by the Lakeside Band and fire company, the entire populace joining in the sad procession. Soon after groups of men were seen in every locality talking earnestly, and it was evident that the prospect was good for a neoktie party. At 10 o’clock the fire-bell struck Kahlihen’s death-knell, and at the first tap of the hell fierce yells were heard in the vicinity, and a rush was made for the Court House, in which the murderer was confined. That the mob was well organized and determined, there was no doubt. Battering-rams were used upon the outside doors, and they were brushed away as mere cobwebs. The men, who were masked, entered the jailer’s residence, occupied by George W. Taylor, deputy sheriff, seized Mr. Taylor and took the keys from his person, and in a few moments had secured the prisoner. A cry for a rope went up, and the cry was not in vain, for in lees than a minute a noose was about his neck and he was being hurried down the street as fast as the wild and furious mob could run. He was taken to a tree, hauled up, and, amid the fiendish yells of the mob, a volley of bullets was fired into his body. Every man who took part in the hanging was masked and disguised, thoroughly armed, and prepared to meet any resistance that might be offered. Kahlihen was generally considered a dangerous man. It is reported that he murdered his wife in St. Croix a few years ago, and that he was wanted in Montana upon one or more charges of murder.