River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-12-29
Ep1ToRs RIVER FAILS JOURNAL:

EDITORS RIVER FALLS JOURNAL:
Sir: In reply to an article that appears in
your journal under date OF November path,
copied from the London Free Press, stating
that Francis NJ. West from his own admission
in the witness box had been guilty OF petty
thieving in different parts OF Canada. Now,
sir, the facts OF this case are as follows: L.
NJ. West came here about Nov. 5. 1880 For
the first six or seven months he boarded at
the Queens Hotel in this place. part OF
this time he taught instrumental music and
became acquainted with the famous William
Donnelly, better known as the lord amongst
his own gang. Donnelly, | believe, induced
West to assist him i'll working up the
Donnelly tragedy case, and helped the said
West to get through his pocket money, tell
ing lnm It would all be forthcoming when
they had caught the perpetrators OF the hor
rible crime 1t is believed that West lent
himself to the celebrated William tor the
above purpose, and seeing there was no
truth to work on and knowing that the gang
was suspected of good deal OF crime, he
tWest) engaged with one Kent to work at
harvesting for the summer months on the
Donnelly homestead. Before this engagement
William made arrangements with his broth
er and West to steal from the Lucan armory
two rifles, which they did at his request,
William giving them as reason that he
wanted the rifles so that he might get some
of his own party to fire through the windows
of his house and thus lay the stealing and
shooting at the doors of innocent men and
thereby gain public sympathy They next
talked OF burninga barn, and one OF the gang
offered West money to do it, but it was put off
one night when the party was driving home
from the villege Arrangements Were made
to steal two chickens in which West took
part While he (West) worked at Kent's
stray heifer came on the premises OF Kent
and was concealed by Kent Tor some time
These are the only charges against West at
the coming trial. The next was the arrange
ment to burn a mill in which West was to
take part. He did assist, but before doing
so gave information to the mill-owners, who
succeeded in having the gang arrested and
put on trial. After the Magistrates Court
Donnely applied for bail which was granted,
he giving $3.50 bonds. Donnelly then secured
the services OF amateur constable Stroebutter
who laid an information against West for
stealing the rifles The warrant was put i'll
the hands of TInney who came to this village
for his man, West seeing him a. a short dis
thought he would take walk and Tinney
could not succeed in getting him. Vests
friends made application to the Attorney
General Tor immunity III the rifle case, which
was granted. West then gave himself up
and was realeased ON bail to appear when
called for on his own recogniZance. During
the time OF the trial at London West was ar
rested for the chicken stealing on his own
admission and bail to the amount of 81 900
was offered and at first refused. West was
remanded until the next day and bail was ac-
cepted, bonds being given to the amount of
$500, while the Donnellys were bailed for
$500 on the arson case. Vests friends APP
piled again to the Attorney General for i'm
munity In this case and it was granted
Hoping that you win give space to the
above in your valuable journal, remain
Yours truly, LUcANiTE.