The Fremont County record., 1881-08-13
wRETcHED WIGHT.
A Brief History Of the Crime, Imprison.
ment, Escape and Capture ola
Convict.

ly every paper in Colorado about the
crime, escape, and capture of Eugene
E. Wight which is error. even the
RECORD falling into mistake. that we
herewith give what we believe TO be
as true sketch of the career of that
criminal as it is possible to get.
THE CRIME.
On the 18th day Of September, 1871,
George r. Witherell went y The firm
Of WItter 8 fxoad, att1in>s * 1t
Won, and requested fkdt . 6zIl 0xl s1Ill
be drawn up for $40 head of sheep at
the head of Little Dry creek in Doug
las county, representing himself to
be Samuel II. Wall, the owner of the
sheep, and asking that the bill be
drawn SO as to convey the sheep from
Samuel III. Wall to Geo. X. Witherell.
This he signed in his character of
Samuel H. Wall and departed. AS he
left the office he was met by Eugene
E. Wight and they began the delib-
crate plan which resulted in the MUIR
der of Wall. Wight assumed the
| name of Henry E. Freeman and With
| erell endorsed the bill of sale to him
under that name. They proceeded
| to Wallis ranch and one day, follow
| ing him about the premises, Wight
| fired at him. Wall. turning in de-
fense, was then fired at by Withereli,
the shot proving fatal. The two then
appeared publically as owners of the
herd, Wight, under his alias as
Freeman, alleging that the sheep had
been sold to them by Wall and that
he had left the country. They had
| not counted all chances, however. for
| James r. Doolittle, of Denver, held q
chattle mortgage upon the herd, and
soon after the disappearance of Wall
sent George Hopkins to the place to
| investigate the matter. Upon his arri-
val he found strong suspicion grow
ing among the neighbors that Wall
had been foully dealt with. This sus-
picion was shared by Hopkins and
together with the people Of the neigh
borhood, he instituted a search which
resulted in finding the body of Wall
buried under pile of stones and dirt.
FLIGHT AND CAPTURE.
Witherell and Wight ut once fed,
via Denver, and in that city stole d
valuable mare, Henry rifle and 0
saddle from John G. McCoole. With
the aid of the animal they pushed
rapidly northeastward. intending t
get into Iowa. Witherell was takcr
sick on the road and compelled to
stop at North Platte where he was
! quickly overhauled by the officers in
pursuit. Wight continued the flight
alone but the next night was captured
IT,. 4
road Witherell confessed the crime to
Frank Smith, who was largely instru-
mental in the capture, involving
Wight as the planner of the entire
crime. The latter as steadily denied
and stoutly asserted his innocence.
! Upon the person of Witherell was
found watch which was at once
identified as having been the proper
| ty of Wall. The two prisoners were
Immediately indicted in Douglass
county for the murder, but took
| CHANGE OF VENUE
To Weld county where they were
tried at Evans before Judge Wells,
Senator Rogers prosecuting. With
ereil's case came up first, resulting in
his conviction and life sentence in the
| penitentiary. In the interval betw cen
the capture and the various phases
of the case, Wight hai employed
General Sam. Browne 10 defend him
retaining him, it is said, with fee of
$500. This stimulated the general to
do his level best for his client, and
his talent for defense as well as por-
ton of the fee was used in q most eff
fectivc manner. Before the day of
| Wight's trial General Browne rugged
him ovt in a stylish suit of clothing,
from hat to boots. had his hair trim
med and when he appeared in the
/ court room his appearance was that
of a polished gentleman. So great
was the contrast between the two
men charged with murder, Witherell
having remained unkempt and dress
ed in his greasy overails and wooden
shirt, that no one could, for an in
stant, believe that Wight was an as
sociate in crime with the man who
had just been sentenced to spend his
life behind the walls and bars of a
prison. The effect was as desired.
Wight was freed from the charge of
murder, Judge Wells deciding that
/, the evidence was not sufficient to
held him for that crime. Upon Mr..
Rogers refusing to enter nolle the
judge took the responsibility upon
uAiuscit anu chauSeu tuc ciiNrSe 10
one of being an accessory after the
fact. Wight was then taken to Dem
YER to answer to the charge OF
GRAND LARCENY
In stealing McCoolc's horse, saddle
and rifle. Claiming prejudice on
the part of Judge Wells he secured
another change of venue to Jefferson
county, was tried before Judge Bel
ford. convicted and sentenced to the
pen;tentiAry for five years. Mr.. Rogers
attempted at once to try him upon
the charge Of being accessory after
the fact to Wallis murder, but failed.
He was soon Afterwards brought
down to Caiion City aud
| CONFINED IN THE rENIrENrIARY.
Which, at that time, was the territor-
| iAl prison and contained but few con-
victs. Wight remained quietly enough
at work Tor long Tins, but some
weeks before his escape mautfest
uneasiness was noticed In his actions.
Mr.. Dueber, the prcseat deputy war
den, VISA one Of the Euartis tlaen and
he repeatedly warned the guard. who
was detailed to look afser Wight. aud
= - thai Wfxxxka