The New York herald., 1878-12-14
A CHAPTER OF MURDERS.
DETAILS OF TEE PLUM CREEK (NEB.) LYNCH
ING-Two INNOCENT MEN RoAsrED--A FAM
nY OF FOUR BUrcHERED FOR A SMALL
PROPERTY.

ILY OF FOUR BUrcHERED FOR SMALL
PROPERTY.
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
OMAHA. Dec. 13. 1878.
J. E. North. prominent stock man. of North
Platte. and J. r. West, government land agent Of
Grand Island arrived from the West last evening.
and add to the public Of horror at the outrage
the South Platte by stating that both Of the mur
dered men were probably innocent. Nothing more
was learned Of the murder except the confirmation Of
the statement that Mitchell and Ketchum. after being
taken from the Sheriff. were burned to death with
slow tortures. From the testimony the following
facts are unquestionably true:-Stevens, of Plum
Creek was foreman Of the Olive brothers ranch and
deputy sheriff at the time Of his DEATH He came from
Texas last summer with Olive Brothers. the name Of
Stevens being assumed as it is supposed to protect
him from the consequences of his previous crimes
He brag and desperate Of the worst character.
hated by the other stockmen. aud in constant
trouble, making many accusations Of theft against
good He accused Ketchum of stealing the Olives
stock procured warrant and started out with
eral of his herders to arrest him. They found him a
Mtchels house and riding up R without showing any
plying they commenced firing on him. Mitchell's
little children in the yard ut the time Ketchum
Mitchell. returned the fire. mortally woundng Stew
ems Mitchell, who was . respectable farmer and
gunSmth, aged Slxty-three years, stepped into the
house and procured rife The herders Immediately
departed with Stevens.
THE HERDERs' TERRIBLE REvEN5E
Knowing the character OF the Texas herders under
Stevens the Olives ranch, Mitchell and Ketchum
started north. Last week the sherfs of Howard and
Dawson counties overlook and arrested them north Of
Grand Island brought them to that point took them
over the railroad to Kearney, starting thence on
horseback for Plum Creek the county seat Of Dawson
county. While on their way they were stopped by
from twenty-five to thirty ranchmcn, chiefly Texans
and companions Of Stevens, who captured the pri-
soners and tortured them to DEATH The outrage was
helped by the ennity existing between the stock
and farmers of that section. Settlers grad
ualy crowdng out the cattle ranches and continually
destroyed by their cattle. 1t is believed this crime
will be avenged and more bloodshed follow. The
Omaha Herald will tomorrow call on Governor Gar
ber to move in the matter Immediately and bring
the perpetrators to justice ct whatever cost.
WATCHING FoR A wHoLEsALE MURDERKR.
officers are watching every incoming train for the
murderer Richards. OF Kearney county. Mrs. Harl-
ston was married November by Richards, to get
possession OF span Of mules, aquantity Of grain
and homestead claim. Her skull was broken in
with . smoothing iron. One child was killed by the
same instrument and taken by the heels and its
brains dashed against the noor The third child
kicked to DEATH The bodies were found December
IL, concealed beneath . straw stack. Richards also
murdered Peter Anderson farmer, living about Ave
miles from Mrs. Harlston's. by knocking in his
skull with hammer. He was killed for the small
amount Of moIiey In his pocket ut the time. His
body found In the cellar, concealed under coal
pile.