James Boney Murderer

James Boney’s Killer

James J. Boney was shot by an itinerant ne'er-do-well named Stephen Hedge on September 6, 1926, outside Chamberlain.  The Leo Memorial in Pierre, South Dakota, honors Boney's sacrifice and service as a fallen officer.  Official records list two versions on how Hedge died.  One record suggests Steve Hedge died in prison seven years after his arrest.  Another version suggests he died in Chamberlain.  Of course, there was a lot of confusion after James Boney’s shooting especially since Hedge initially identified himself as Jack Martin.  As a reminder, James Boney’s uncle was our great grandfather, Bartholomew “Batt” Ryan.  His parents were Mary Ryan Boney and John Boney.

 

 

The photograph above shows James Boney, Lulu (Way Jones) Boney and son, James Jr.  James’ death rattled the good citizens of Brule County, South Dakota.  So much so that vigilante groups congregated outside the Chamberlain jail looking for revenge.  Boney’s killer waited sentencing.  Finally the murderer, Stephen Hedge, admitted his crimes as suggested by the following news article.

 

September 11, 1926; Omaha World Herald; Omaha, Nebraska; page 2
SLAYER OF DAKOTA DEPUTY GIVEN LIFE
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A.W. Hedges Confesses to Robbery and Murder After He Hears Threatening Mob.
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Special Dispatch to the World-Herald.

Mitchell, S.D., Sept. 10 -- A.W. Hedge, who robbed W. L. Miller, Hopkins, Minn., an then shot Deputy Sheriff John Boney of Brule county to death at Chamberlain last Sunday afternoon, pleaded guilty before Judge F.B. Smith today and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Hedge, when arrested gave his name as Jack Martin and steadfastly maintain he did not rob Miller and that he shot Boney in self defense, believing him to be a holdup man.

Hedge's courage oozed when a mob threatened him Sunday afternoon and again Wednesday outside his cell after the funeral of the Brule county official.  He told State Attorney Thoreson his real name, and this morning indicated he would plead guilty.

Stephen  Hedge Dies in Prison

The following news article resolved Hedge’s fate.   He died almost 5 years after shooting Officer Boney along the Missouri River near Chamberlain.  This article does not mention how he died; however, Stephen died from acute acidosis.

Aberdeen Daily News; Aberdeen, South Dakota; September 26, 1931; page 2

 

Pictured above is an old photograph of the South Dakota State Penitentiary located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Stephen W. Hedge and his Family

Steve Hedge was born circa 1900 to William Hedge and The 1917 Mitchell Directory (Mitchell, SD) says Stephen Hedge was worked as a section hand for the Omaha Railroad.  His father, William A. Hedge, was a section boss for the same railroad.  The 1925 South Dakota Census shows Stephen Hedge living in Mitchell, South Dakota, working as a laborer.  He did not graduate from school but did serve his country in World War I with a Missouri military unit.

William Hedge's father, David Crockett Hedge, lived in Childress, Virginia for awhile before moving to Mitchell.  The Hedge family, including Stephen Hedge, are buried in Graceland Cemetery, Mitchell South Dakota.  David Crockett?  Really?

David Crockett Hedge was born about 1850 in Virginia and died August 26, 1940 of senility.  Buried beside him is his wife, Emily V. Hauchen, who was born 1845 in Virginia and died in Mitchell on May 21, 1924 from arteriosclerosis.   Their son, William Hedge, was born in 1875 and died on December 24, 1942, from uremia.  William’s wife, Laura J. Smith, was born in 1873 and died on May 15, 1950, from anemia

The Grandfather of "Alamo's" Davy Crockett was named David Crockett too and he was born in Maryland circa 1727.  He married an Elizabeth Hedge at Maryland in the 1700s.  Davy's father, John Crockett, was born in Maryland and moved to Tennessee where Davy was born.  The Hedge family of Mitchell and Davy Crockett were related.