The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1880-03-24
SHORT SHRIFT.
.,sEDy JUSTICE IN COLORADO


A.v been the scene Of \ double tragedy
a murder and a lynehing. There have
been Of late several shooting affrays in
,his town by rough characters. and the
citirens have become SO greatly enrag-
"A over them, that to-day when bad
character named w. J. Porter coolly
.bot down worthy man, Thomas Car
mody. By name, the good people Of the
Mace were not slow In coming 10 the
conclusion that Porter should die, and
when they once reached a conclusion
xere not long In putting their deter
mination into execution. The circum-
dances as far as they can be arrived at
are as follows;
Porter has been spreeing about the
town for some time and lad created the
general impression that he was had
character, undeserving Of trust, and
who was TO be avoided upon general
principles.
This morning he went to q store and
bough: pistol, letting drop language
which convinced those who heard him
that he meant to kill his partner. and
that he had bought the pistol for that
purpose. What was the cause Of their
quarrel, II indeed they had had any,
does not appear.
Be that as it may, Porter started out
in his usual staggering manner, and
before finding his partner met Carmody,
with whom he raised n quarrel. Very
little passed between the two men, and
everybody present seemed greatly as
tonisled when Porter pulled his pistol
and before resistance could be interpos-
ed had shot his man down.
The murder was, all agree, unprovok-
ell and cowardly In the extreme.
The ball struck Carmody in a vital
spot, and he was almost dead man
when he fell. Notwithstanding this
terrible result Of his work, Porter pre-
sented his pistol second time and was
preparing TO send an additional bullet
through his victim. when \ policeman,
who had come up, interposed by knock
ing the desperate down and thus pre-
vented his committing further acts of
brutality.
The pistol was wrenched from Por-
ter's hand and he hurried OF to the cal
aboose us rapidly rs possible, followed
by an angry and curious crowd. The
populace at once became indignant and
ii was not difficult TO see that unless af-
fairs soon assumed n more favorable as
pect for Porter, 1t were well for him to
begin 10 make his peace with his Crea-
tor.
This feeling against the murderer
soon grew into a popular cry, and this
time work was not confined to talk,
As speedily as was possible the citizens
Of the town and camp were called to-
gether and hurried consultation was
held. What the result Of the confer
ence was may be inferred from the fact
that some fifty Of the men engaged in
II proceeded directly to the place at
which Porter was confined and hung
him.
When they arrived at the jail they
found Porter sullen and defiant. II
was, Of course, no difficult matter to
define the purpose Of the mob, and he
prepared to stand his ground. He had
not been searched when Gagged, which
indicated by his drawing n long knife
which lie plunged at one of the leading
vigilantes, man whom he did not
like. The weapon failed TO hit its
mark, and before he could strike an
other blow a dozen strong hands had
been laid upon him. and he was left to
plead for mercy at the hands OF the
mob. This he did not do, to any great
extent, contenting himself with giving
directions about the payment of his
board bill, and requesting that his fam
iiy should not know how he had come
TO his death. Porter had two young
sons here, and he particularly requested
that all knowledge Of the affair should
Dc kept from them. which was really
an indication of feeling which it was
not supposed that he possessed.
The work was quickly done. Few
words were said and little time wasted.
Inc rope was promptly placed around
the neck Of the murderer and he was
led TO the door Of his prison. A pro-
lecting beam afforded q fastening, and
over that the cord was thrown. He
was then pulled up and the rope tied,
and left to dangle in the door Of the
laii until he should be relieved by
death. Porter was dead man an
hour after the murder had been COM
mitted.
as for the lynching, I may say that
Is done, and Alma does not regret
u. IT. was done openly, and not under
.ne cover Of midnight. The best citi-
lens OF the place took part in the work,
ana they are sustained by the commu-
nity. There was not o drunken man
present at the lynching. This is the
'nird shooting here within the past few
weeks, and this hanging il only warn
ing for no more, and the citizens in.
Tend to stand by It.
rorter was an associate and partner
ot Nash, who shot and wounded Dr.