The New York herald., 1879-01-07

THEIR CAPTURE--HANGEp BY A MoB-RIcH-
ARDS TILE CONFESSED SLAYER OF. NINE PER-
SONS.
by TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
OMAHA. Neb.. Jan. 6.'1s79.
J. P. Olive. the leading stock man of Custer county
and Messrs. Green Baldwin. Brown. Fisher. ARM
strong. Gessler. Petrol ard Wheat. cattle men and
herders. arrested at Plum Creek yesterday.
charged with the murder of kctchum and Mitchell,
who were burned at the stake with hor-
rible torture few weeks since north OF
Plum Greek. Olive had defed arrest and the sherids
OF Central Nebraska afraid to undertake II.
knowing how many desperate men were behind him
and feeling that their lives would pay the for
felt. Two weeks since three brothers OF ketchum.
respectable men from other localities, arrived ut
Kearncy. The bodies of Mitchell and Eetchum
were still where their murdercrs had left
them. the plains. word having been
sent to Kearney and to Plum Greek that any man
attempting 10 remove them would be shot down.
Ketchums brothers. with a small party. went out
and procared the bodies. which your correspondent
week later. and which presented most hor-
rible sight, having been cut and mutilated during
their dying struggles. Their firmly set teeth
and their distorted features indicated frightful
agonies. The funeral Of the men took
place at Kearney, December 20. the whole
town attending it and strong feeling being manifested
against Olive, who had offered high rewards for the
capture of Mitchell and Ketchum, and afterward.
it is claimed. bought them from the officers who had
them in charge. They were charged with the murder
of brother OF Olive People acquainted with the
facts state that they shot him in self-dcfence.
ARRESTS BOLD ENTERPRISE SUCCESSFUL.
. Last Saturday night Ketchums three brothers. a
stepson OF Mitchell and an officer with warrant tor
the arrest of the parties charged with the crime and
several. others left kearney for Plum Creek. where
Olive resides. Having arrived there arrangements
made for 'round up yesterday morn
ing. The evening company of men
from Olives camp the Loupe River arrived
and purchased large amount OF ammunition. indi-
morning W. Nichols Union Pacific railroad station
agent; W. II. Head, A. T. Valentine and w. H. Almy,
citizens Of Plum Creek. supported by about twenty
rhemen, including Ketchums brothers, prepared
for the arrest determined to take Olive and Others
dead alive. Olives barn. where there large
number Of good horses, also guarded to prevent
any Of the culprits from escaping The first man
presenting himself on the street was covered with
which he did without attempting resistance AS the
party had entire command OF every
nue Of escape all , the o, arrests Were a. in this this
Glands up!" he covered by several rifles, in
Guiding those in the hands Of two Of Ketchum's
brothers. All expected that the latter would fire,
but to the surprise Of the party Olive allowed to
throw up his hands and come in. The Ketchum
to play avengers would come when the law failed in
| its duty.
When Olive and his men learned that the brothers
| and friends of the murdered among the
| captors they trembled visibly, and begged that
strong guard should be sent to Kearncy with them to
| protect them. They taken this morning to
kearney the only secure place of confinement in the
everywhere in this region over the capture Of these
men, which wholly unexpected. The lives OF
the participating in it are believed to be in dan
ger from Olives men.
SHERIFF IN JAIL
Sheriff Gillian who. it is claimed gave Mitchell and
Ketchum up to Olive. was arrested ut North Platte
to-day.
Dutch Charley, the stage robher and murderer.
who participated in killing Officer Vincent and
Widow Field last August, near Rock Greek. and who
was captured with gang OF robbers near Green
River three weeks since, taken from the Union
Pacific Railroad train last night at Carbon station. by
gang Of masked men and hanged to tree where his
Kerns who was taking him from Laramie to Rawlins
for trial. The was broken open and Charley
pulled out He confessed being with the party who
murder. The mob murder was done quickly and
methodcaly.
HE KILLED CHILDREN AS HE WOULD RABBITS
The man who said he committed nine murders in
Nebraska is thus portrayed by the Omaha Bee, Of
December 31:-
Stephen d. Richards is now safely lodged in Kear
ney jail aud the probability is that contrary to gen.
expectation he will not be lynched but hanged in
legal way. All day Sunday the vicinity OF the jail
seemed to have attraction for the citizens than
all the churches together. All who wished. after
Jail and interview the prisoner The jail where he is
confined is two story stone building. about forty
feet square The sheriff and his family occupy
the second story. and the prisoners
confined on the ground floor, which has heavy iron
doors and bars the windows. There five
other awaiting trial. mostly for horse stealing
Richards is heavily ironed in cell Ave feet by
feet He seems cheerful and contented, eats and
sleeps WE'LL laughs and talks freely with any who
will talk with him. and acts If he cared nothing
about his awful crimes. It may be remembered that
about year ago Nixon, alias Underwood, one
of the reported Big Springs Union Pacific express
robbers confined in this Jail for safe keeping
In the jail Mt the same time Mrs. Harlson's
husband, who awaiting trial for stealing lumber.
One morning both the prisoners We're missing, having
escaped by saving through the cell doors. which
were made Of heavy boiler iron, and afterward
ing through the iron bars OF the windows. Richards
now states that he helped those to escape and
furnished them with saws and pistols HARRISON has
ever since been afraid to home. and his wife
and children compelled to be alone, thereby be-
coming easy prey to Richards. who also states
that at the time he killed Mrs. HARRISON and her chill
dre1 breakfast had been prepared. After he killed
thenf he scrubbed the blood marks from the floor,
then ,ashed his hands, ac his breakfast aud went to
Hastingspn visit. He states that he cared no more
for killing the children than If they had been young
tack rabbits. He waived preliminary examination.
IL is likely Judge Gssin will hold special Of
J court Immediately for his speedy trial.