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From: "Victoria Hospodar Valentine" <>
Subject: [WASH] Richard LIGGINS, alleged murderer captured Nov. 15, 1902 McDonald PA Outlook
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2003 08:54:20 -0400


Alleged Murderer Captured
Richard, alias "Dick" LIGGINS, colored, who in December 1901, shot and
killed John JACKSON, also colored, near McDonald, was arrested Monday at
Columbus, O., at the instance of Constable. M. R. CONLEY, of McDonald, who
has been working on the case for some time. When arrested LIGGINS was
employed by a contractor at Columbus and was carrying a hod.
LIGGINS, who is a clever member of his race, has been shadowed several
times by Officer CONLEY but each time he succeeded in eluding him until he
was finally captured Monday. Officer CONLEY left Monday night on the
midnight train from McDonald over the Panhandle main lines and returned to
Washington Tuesday with his prisoner.
The crime for which JACKSON (sic) has been sought was committed about 3 o'
clock on the afternoon of December 10, 1901, at a place called "The Batch",
at the Briar Hill mine near McDonald. It seems that the men, both miners,
had quarreled, and that JACKSON was about to strike LIGGINS with a big dirk
knife when the latter seized a shot gun and shot his assailant, who was
almost upon him, instantly killing him. Immediately after the shooting
LIGGINS threw his gun away and ran from the scene of the tragedy, and so
great was the excitement over the affair that the assassin was not thought
of until he had made good his escape.
A posse, headed by Officer CONLEY, was formed and LIGGINS was traced to
near Cecil where the trail was lost. A description of the murderer was sent
broadcast throughout the county but he succeeded in eluding his pursuers
until he was rounded up Monday at Columbus. LIGGINS is 20 years of age and,
he claims, that he shot in self-defense.

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