The Elk Mountain pilot., 1880-09-02
Gl'SyIs0yS DISGRACE
The GtsEd Jury Ignore hs Charge, Against
Breckenridge, Who Vas Held for Ii,
Murder Of tie Eagsly Bsys.

! one breckenridge, wnO was held 1Or
the murder of James and William
Edgley in June last within eight miles
Of this place. In ignoring the bill
and turning this man loose without a
trial, one of the greatest outrages ever
known, was perpetrated by the grand
jury and there are justly grave suspi-
| cions that some OF the jury were tam
pered with.
The facts are in the main as follows,
| James and William Edgley visited
this section of the country on a pros
peting expedition, they were provided
with-two bur,os or jacks and other
equippage including tent Brecken-
ridge met them at some point On the
way here, he had nothing and through
the generosity Of the Edgleys, he was
allowed to join them and share what
they had.
The three went upon the reservation
some s miles from here and camped,
on the day that the Edgleys were kill
ed William Edgley and Breckenridge
came into Irwin, and they inquired at
the Post Office for mail, and made a
purchase OF q small piece Of bacon,
and started back to camp where James
Edgley was. That night about eight
O'Clock William EdgIey was killed IN a
gulch about one mile from camp, which
was lonely spot, and it was found
that he had been shot in the back.
Tames was shot dead in the tent at
the camp on the same night while
asleep, and he was found in grave
three feet deep Immediately back Of
the tent, which was covered and the
ground was smoothed over, and rub
bish placed over it.
There had been also saddle of
yenison at the tent.
Two days after the Edgleys
were killed in the manner de-
scribed Breckenridge appeared at
the house of Robt. Lee, which is on
the road between Irwin and Gunnison,
and he there had in his possession the
tent referred to which was stained With
blood, also the jacks and entire out
fit which belonged to Edgleys, de-
ceased. He here offered the saddle
of venison for sale.
He proceeded from the last place
named to Gunnison river, and was
there seen washing the blood from the
tent, and from there he went to Cum
nison city stating to parties that he
intended to go to San uan, but he
after short absence returned to Gun
nison city, and from there hestarted to
Rico when he was arrested. He
admitted that the property belonged
to the deceased persons, but claimed
that he had purchased the same, and
he often offered the property for sale.
The bodies were taken up and idcn-
tilted.
We understand that :he above facts
were iii the main established before
the Grand !ury, and ye; said jary ig-
nored the bill. against Breckenridge.
With such testimony this Jury con-
cluded not to cause the accused TO be
placed on trial. We mast say that a
grave suspicion attaches to some mem
bers of the Grand Jury that caused
this outrage.
When sworn officers Of the law fail
to do their duty under such circum-
stances it cannot be complained that
mob spirits may exist in the country.
And II some persons who composed
this Jury should at some future time
suffer by reason of the ascendency Of
mob law he certainly cannot COM
plain.
We are opposed to mob law in any
form, but We are in favor of making
juries and officers accountable to the
law and therefore the action of this
Grand Jury should be thoroughly In
vestigated in the interest OF justice and
the good order and peace of society
in this country.
The following names compose the
Grand Jury. Let them be remember
ed: c. E. Crooks, OF Crooksville,
foreman George Riley. Gunnison !;
Samuel Wade, Pitkin; ]. ]. Smith,