The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-05-15
SWIFT JUSTICE.
RILEY AND HARRISON STONE
DISCOVERED.
They Resist the Officers and are Shot.
HARRISON DIES.

Our readers will remember that three
or four weeks ago we gave an account OF
several meat robberies in this county, and
of the capture of a two-horse spring wagon
on Len Swain's farm, loaded with cured
hams, shoulders and sides, and the own
ership of the team being traced to Riley
Stone, a former resident of this county.
Since that time Marshal Ryan quietly
kept his detective scent around for the
whereabouts of the owner of the team,
his brother Harrison Stone, and n
Goodpasture, the evidence being ~satisfac-
tory that these were the parties engaged
in the meat robberies, together with a
young man by the name of Pray, who
was captured in Richmond shortly after
and lodged with Sheriff Snyder in Eaton,
Some ten days ago MIKE was notified
that the game he was after could be found
near the city of Terre Haute, Ind, get
ting out timber in a very secluded and
out of the way place. Upon this inform
alton Marshal Ryan went to Columbus
and prepared himself with the proper
papers, and in company with assistant
Marshal Loots Johnson, started for Terre
Haute. Arriving at that city they were
Joined by Lieut.. Fasig, constables Flaid
and Walker, of that city, and immediate
ly repaired to the designated place ofthe
Stones. Nearing the place Fasig and
Walker started ahead on foot, followed
at some distance by Flaid and johnson,
while Marshal Ryan remained with the
team. Soon they heard men chopping
wood and proceeded to the spot, where
Harrison Stone was found in company
with a young man named Smith, whothe
officers first supposed was the brother
Riley. At a glance Harrison recognized
Loots johnson at a distance and took in
the situation, seized his axe and made a
desperate lunge at officer Fasig, then
turned and fed like a deer, followed by
Fasig, who called him to halt or he would
be shot. Stone paid no attention to the
officers summons, when three shots were
fired in the air. Just as the fourth shot
was fired Stone was seen to stumble and
fall, causing the bullet to hit him in the
back. Stone surrendered saying, 81 am
shot" Officers Flaid, Walker and John
son then went in search of the other
brother Riley, who was quartered in a
small house not very far distant. On
seeing the officers he sprang out and fed
followed by officer Flaid, who fired three
| shots, two of which took effect in the left
arm, one just below the elbow and the
other in the wrist. He was then captur-
ed and handcuffed. The two men were
then taken to the city of Terre Haute.
Harrison died the next day at the station
house in Terre Haute, and Riley was
brought to Eaton and confined in jail,
where he is lying in a very sad condition.
These men were well known around the
neighborhood of Terre Haute, having
lived there some twelve years ago, and
were regarded as desperate bad charac-
tiers. Riley said that they never would
have been captured, had they been to-
gether at the time of their discovery.
After Harrison Stones death aCoro-
ner's jury was empannelled and inquiry
made into the true facts of his death.
Loots johnson was first examined-Dr.
Stevenson testified concerning the nature
of the wound, and officers Flaid, Walker
and Fasig all testified to substantially the
same as Mr.. Johnson. A verdict was
rendered iustifying the shooting and kill
ing.
Riley wa taken before Mayor Abbott
last Saturday morning for a hearing, but
waived an examination and was recon-
mitted to prison to await his trial at the
June term of Court. There are two more
of these meat thieves yet at large, and if
they do not keep a wide range of our Wig
liant officers will be captured.