Kean, John - 1868

Prisoner Shot in Attempting to Escape from an Officer.

On Saturday evening last, a man who gave his name as John McMan, but whose real name is John Cavanaugh, was brought before U. S. Commissioner Bartlett, charged with horse stealing.  Cavanaugh was committed and sent to jail in charge of officer Goff and a man by the name of John Kean.

While Goff was absent after the jail key, the prisoner started to run.  He was hailed by Mr. Kean, but still kept running, when Kean fired three shots, the fourth bringing him down, the ball taking effect in the breast.

Cavanaugh died while he was being conveyed to the hospital, and was buried this morning.  The following is the verdict of the Coroner’s Jury, summoned by Coroner Irwin :

We, the Jury, summoned to make true inquiry into the manner of the death of the body now lying here, find that deceased came to his death be <sic> means of a pistol shot, fired by John Kean ; and that deceased was in the custody of said Kean at the time, under direction of the proper authority, and was attempting to escape, and that Wm. <sic> Keane was justified in shooting him.  We also find that the name of the deceased was John McMunn, alias Cavanaugh.

J. W. Hutchinson,

Foreman.

H. Rick,

P. McDonald.

January 5, 1868.
~ Cheyenne Leader, 06-Jan-1868, Page 1, Column 3