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Sheriff's Office, Eugene, Oregon, February 7, 1903
Arrest Eillott Lyons for Murder
Description
Age, about 38, height 5 feet, 8 inches; weight 165 pounds;
complexion, light; hair brown or flaxen; blue eyes; dim cut scars on
right index finger; cut scar back of right thumb; white scar outside
of left elbow; cut scar first toe right food; well built. May have
darkened or blacked hair and eyebrows.
The above-described man shot and murdered Sheriff W. W. Withers of
Lane County, Oregon on the evening of February 5th, while the latter
was endeavoring to arrest him on a warrant for horse stealing. I
hold warrant for Lyons murder. A reward of $1,000 will be paid for
the capture of Lyons dead or alive. Arrest and hold Lyons and wire
information to me at my expense.
Fred Fisk, Sheriff, Lane County, Oregon Hanging
of Elliott Lyons Here is my account of the
hanging of Elliott Lyons in Eugene in 1903. Elliott Lyons stole some
horse in Eastern Oregon and had sold them.
We were living on our homestead twenty-five miles west of Eugene, on
Wildcat creek. I was seven years old.
One evening just before dark, Sheriff Winters and a deputy, Mr.
Smith rode up in front of our house. The sheriff told father that
they were certain Elliott was at his father's house, located a mile
and half from our house. Father said he wanted no part of it as
Elliott's parents were our neighbors. But the sheriff handed father
a six shooter and said, "I deputize you, so get on the horse I have
brought for you to ride. You are going with us."
Father went in the house and told mother he had to go with the
sheriff to arrest Elliott Lyons. It was the sheriff's orders.
Mr. Lyons' house was one hundred yards above the road. They tied
their horses in the brush below the road. The private road to the
house went in a wide circle around the hill. The front door faced
south and the kitchen door faced west, the living room door faced
north. There was thick brush on the hill.
Father was stationed at the south door, Mr. Smith was to enter the
living room from the north. As father eased up to the south door, he
could see Elliott sitting at the kitchen table reading a newspaper.
His six-shooter was on the table beside him. About that time
Elliott's wife opened the kitchen door to throw out the dish water.
Mr. Smith said, "Shut the door, madame, the house is surrounded." At
that Elliott grabbed his six shooter and headed for the living room
door. Just as he was about half way across the living room, Sheriff
Winters stepped into the house. Mr. Lyons grabbed him by the left
arm and as Elliott ran past he shot the sheriff point blank in the
neck. The sheriff fell and Elliott jumped over him and escaped.
Next morning they loaded the sheriff into a wagon and started to
Eugene. The doctor met them at Hale. However there was nothing the
doctor could do as the sheriff was paralyzed from his neck down, and
he died later that day.
The search was on for Elliott. Four days later the authorities
pulled him off the rods from under a freight train at Creswell. He
was put in jail at Eugene and after a quick trial he received the
death sentence.
He was hanged in front of the jail, which was west of the
courthouse. A platform was built. Thirteen steps led up to the trap
door. Three ropes were tied to the trigger. Three deputies were each
given a large knife, Elliott was led up and placed on the trap door.
They said "no". At a given signal all three ropes were cut at the
same time. However, there was only one of the ropes that was
attached to the trigger, so no one knows who cut the rope that
tripped the trigger. He fell about eight feet and was pronounced
dead in tow minutes.
Father watched the hanging but said never again would he watch
another.
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Phil Schnabel Photo |
Shackleford Family
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