The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-18
Green followed In much the same way, and
Fisher was covered by Almy In the street and

QTeen lOllONeQ In mucn the same way, and
Fisher was covered by Almy In the street and
secured.
Baldwin was taken while in the act Of build
Ing nre in the office OF a little hotel that he
kept, and u body OF men went to Olives ranch,
whore they captured Bion Brown. Gartrell and
a Mexican. called Dominicus. The Sheriff, Gil
Ian. was secured, and also the driver. Dufrand
inc men were all removed to sale quarters at
Kcarney.
Custer County being too poor to defray the
expense OF an extensive murder trial the State
at the last session Of the Legislature, upon a
citizens, appropriated $4,000 to II. which sum
will probably have to be somewhat Increased.
by reports that an attempt would be made to
rescue the prisoners. as 1t is believed that Olive
has some connection with the celebrated Doe
Middleton gang OF horse thieves, train wreck
ers. and general cutthroats. but all danger was
obviated by incarceratinR the prisoners In the
State PCnitentnry and in the county Iails.
After many delays. tho case came 10 trial
at Hastings Olive and Fisher chose to be tried
together, and the others will be tried in duo
season. Considerable excitement was caused
by Dufrand turning states evidence. and
swearing that Olive took ketchpm and old
another Of the persons against whom an
Being placed on the stand. he told clear.
strnightiorward story Of the whole anair
ddence, and enough to make al the gang swing.
He said that Dominicus, tho Mexican Gartrcl.
Kelly. Olives black cook. and himself. were at
that Fisher came up later. on horseback. Olive
wanted them all to meet him at Wood River
went to the appointed place where they heard
q man. who turned out to DO Olive. whstng to
them and haloong for them to Join him. They
wagon containing Mitchell and Kctchum. Olive
demanded the men Of Gillian. who proicssed
yielded. Gartreil then Jumped into the the, wagon. wagon
snatched up the reins, and drove on the team rs
Olive commanded. Gillian and Duirand leaving
1t and going back some 300 or 400 yards.
olive FIRST selected a large elm tree. but, con-
Guiding that that was too large for. his purpose.
Tho wagon being ordered under this. Gartrell
put rope around ketchum's neck. while the
Mexican performed the same onlce by Mitchell.
The ropes were then tied to limb of a tree.
and the victims were securely handcuffed.
Olive standing by and seeing that all this was
done according to his orders. Mitchell WIS
lett In the bottom Of the wagoh, with ketchum
Leaning oyer oyer he the sides Grabbing up Wip;;
side. the clothing OF the wounded man taking
fire from the gun. The horses were then
whipped np. and the bodies of the men were
Further evidence brought out the details OF
the murder still more minutely Mitchell and
wagon. When Mitchell was shot by Olive no
fell over the wheel OF the wagon and died in
stantly. Olives gun WIS held SO close to his
side that his clothing was set on fire. and when
he was hung up II was smoudering. About the
neck OF Ketchum. who was not injured nt the
| time. the rope. which was seven -eghths Of an
| inch thick, was wound twice and tied. not in u
| rnnning moose but in common hard knot
| The branches which served for a gallows were
about ten feet from the ground. When the ropes
were run over them and secured. and the wagon
| different ropes and hung apart. save that tho
right hand Of one and the left hand OF the other
were chained together. Ketchum was still
| alive when the ruflians departed.
Next day, when the bodies were found. Ketch-
nm was hanging with his feet lifted some dis;
had fallen down and lay on the earth under the
others feet; The arm OF Mitchell. however. was
| liited up. being still attached To hetchums by
| the handcuT. The rope by which he had been
suspended was burned in two q little way from
| the limb oyer which II passed. Underneath tho
| two men the grass for the space of several feet
round about was burned on. Mitchell's clothing
was all burned of, and his legs from the waist
| down were burned toa crisp. The flesh dropped
| of from them when the body was removed. A
boot leg lay under him. from which the foot was
blistered. Ketchums body had all the clothing
burned from 1t except the boots and a small BIT
ssS ha i6iS uv was the Only re" tia; Was set %
the bodies. but 1t is said that Green brought
with him Jug OF rum. q part OF which was
poured over the bodies while their clothes were
Brown further testified that he saw Olive
| give Gillian money which explains his motive
he, was forced to participate with winehester
rifle pointed at him. Olive is n man about As
years OF age. who was compelled to quit Texas
reputation. would hesitate at hardly any des-
perate deed. and Baldwin bears a similar repu-
tation for lawlessness The others are little
| from Texas.
II was feared for several days after the trial
began that the " Cowboys" OF whom there were
several hundred gathered at Hastings. would
mob the guards and rescue the prisoners but
at the call OF Judge Goslin. VINO presides in the
case Coy. Vance telegraphed to Gen. Crook.
commanding the Department OF the Platte. for
aid. and a company OF infantry, under the com
mand Of Major Burt was despatched to the
scene OF trial from this city.
The case was given TO the Jury yesterday. and
| to-day they unexpectedly found both Olive and
Fisher guilty OF murder in the second degree
There are unconcealed suspicious that the jury
were tampered with. One OF them has said
that he did not know what murder in the Sec
ond degree meant but he now says he thought
that verdict would call for a sentence OF only
fifteen years In the pententiary The prison
ers were sentenced to Imprisonment for life in
tho State prsOn. and q new trial WAS refused.