River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-12-29
West indicated .

We publish the following letter from
Mr.. John T. West which will be of III
terest to many of our readers who are
acquainted with his son Frank. Also
several communications relating to
the criminal proceedings against
West, from persons in Ontario, who
being on the ground know whereof
they affirm. Frank friends here will
be glad to learn that all proceedings
against him have been abandoned and
he stands fully indicated of all al
legged crimes.
EDS. JOURNAL:
Many readers of your paper inquire Of me
concerning my son Frank, of whom some
thing has Of late appeared in your columns.
l therefore ask the privilege OF stating briefly
therein such things as came to light on my
recent visit to Ontario, as may be of special
interest
On arriving at Lucan | headed for Mr..
Stanley, one Of Franks bondsmen. found
him to be very wealthy and influential citi-
zen Of the place. A very few minutes con-
versation fully assured me that there was
nothing wrong. then sent for Frank and
from his own lips received in substance the
following story:
'sWhile at Crooksten year ago last sum-
mer made the acquaintance OF one Long, of
Ontario. He interested me in the famous
Donnelly tragedy that occurred near Lucan
some years before, and spoke of the four
thousand dollars reward for the capture of
the murderers. This last rested upon my
mind until planned to come to this place to
try my hand at securing the reward. | lett
Prescott year age, and on arriving here at
once made the acquaintance OF the two sur
viving Donnelly brothers for the purpose OF
gathering facts to help me in my enterprise,
These men | soon discovered both from com
mon report and what cropped out in my as
| ISOLATION with them to be desperate charac
| tiers, and formed the purpose OF playing the
| detective and bringing them to justice. For
| nearly year was in their confidence until
| the attempt to burn the mill that resulted in
| their arrest and then in mine. During this
/ time sundry crimes, such as the stealing o
| gun, COW, ETC., were committed by them il
which | formally took part. Finally they
laid plot to burn mill, the mill of which
my bondsman Mr.. Stanley is business man
ager. In conjunction with the proprietors o
| the mill made arrangements to ensnare anC
/ cage them. They were arrested and arraign
ed for trial, but took change of venue to Lon
| don, a place where was a perfect stranger
| My testimony as it appeared in the papers
without giving my motive. The trial result
ed in the acquittal of the Donnellys and my
arrest upon the statements had made Will,
on the witness stand. The judge evidently
believed all of my story except my statemen
| that was acting detective. On learning
OF my arrest the people of Lucan came to ny
rescue, and am now certain OF no further
trouble"
My sons statement is perfectly corroborat
ed by citizens OF that neighborhood witt
| whom he was acting in concert in his efforts
to entrap those desperadoes. | may here sa,
that it is understood at Lucan that the mem
bers of the Donnelly family killed were
''taken off, by vigilance committee. Franz
was in constant communication with thu
| owners of the mill attempted to be burned
for days before the attempt, and had banc
of men in ambush to capture his confeder
ates. The prosecuting authorities have with
drawn the cases against him.
JOHN 7. WEST