Grayson County TXGenWeb

Missouri ~ Pacific Railroad

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, July 29, 1883
pg. 4

THE ASSASSIN'S WORK
Patrticulars of the Mysterious Murder Saturday Night
W.H. Skinner, a brakesman on the Mo. Pa., was shot and instantly killed near Red River last Saturday night, about 9 o'clock. Skinner was front brakesman on the freight train and when the train was running between Warner and the River, the trainmen heard two shots, and soon after two more shots were heard and a cry of distress from the rear of the train. After crossing the river it was discovered Skinner was missing. The train was run back and a man came running towards the train saying he was badly wounded. This man proved to be J.E. Gambler, of McGregor, this state. This is his version of the affair:
A stranger to him got on the train while in motion between Colbert and the bridge. He said he had no money to pay his fare, but had a watch and chain which he could sell for $2.50. He (Gambler) paid him the $2.50 and the stranger paid the brakeman 25c for his ride, at the same time pulling out his six-shooter, demanding from him and the brakeman the watch and what money they had, but before either of the latter could reply the stranger fired. The brakeman fell between the cars; and he (Gambler) fell from the train; and as he fell, the stranger shot him and after the train had passed him, he picked himself up and ran after it, and met the assassin coming towards him, who fired two more shots at him, which missed their aim, after which the stranger ran up to him and commenced to beat him on the back with his six-shooter. Gambler hallowed for help and the man took to the brush, and that was the last seen of him.
Skinner was found lying beside the track with his left leg cut off close to his body and left arm cut off. He had been shot just over the left eye, and had evidently fallen under the cars. The body was brought to this city and an inquest held the next morning by Judge Cook, but nothing further of importance was elicited.
Skinner leaves a wife and two children in Sedalia. It was circulated during the week that Skinner was a Pinkerton detective, serving as a blind, but there is no authority for the report. Gamble was brought to this city. He was shot in the back, and had evidently been beaten by some one. A day or two after, his father arrived in the city and took him home. He said the boy was disposed to tramp rather than work. He had been employed as a section hand for a few days in the Nation, but had quit. He will probably recover.
A party known as Jack Donley was arrested in this city the first of the week on suspicion of being the murderer, but young Gamble failed to identify him, and he was discharged.
There is a mystery about this affair which it is likely will never be cleared up.