Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-05-18
SHOT IN THE BACK.
II. W. Holcomh, snep Man, Is Shot by the
Brlley -,oys.
But Little Hopes Of His Recovery.

But Little Hopes Of His Recovery.
Wednesday afternoon, about O'Clock
III. W. Holcomb who is holding a large
flock of sheep 10 miles north of this
place, on Sand creek, was shot through
the back by Scott Briley, a stOckman,
who lives in the same ne ighborhood.
This occurred three quarters of a mile
north of HOlcomb's ranch. After being
shot HOlcomb walked home, where he
arrived nearly exhausted. Jas. Nurse,
was working on the place; building
house, and he and Mrs. Holcomb rem
dered the wounded man such assistance
as they could, when Homer Holcomb, a
son, who was several miles down the
creek was notified, and he Immediately
came to town for a doctor. DIR. Kess-
Ter returned with him and arrived at
the ranch about half past nine.
He found the wounded man suffering
considerably and bleeding internally.
An examination showed that the ball
entered the left side of the back, near
the spinal column, and about even with
the shoulder blade; ranged upward and
came out on the opposite side of the
body, grazing the point of the shoulder
and in all probability passing
through the left lung. From loss of
blood he was extremely weak, though
perfectly rational. Seeing his precari-
Gus condition DIR. Kessler informed him
that if he hid any anti-mortem state
ment 10 make he should do it at once
So he requested that Justice Paddock
he sent for. This was done and the
justice arrived soon after midnight, and
recorded the statement in the presence
of DIR. Kessler, Mead Stolp, Homer
HOlcOmb and James Nurse.
ANTE MORTEM STATEMENT.
The statement of Mr.. Holcomb in
substance was that Wednesday after
noon at o'clock he was herding his
sheep at point three-quarters Of a
mile north of his residence, and near
the banks Of Sand creek. Suddenly lie
felt shock and heard the report of a
gun and fell to the ground, knowing he
had been shot; but thought it must
have been accidental. He arose and
walked i'm the direction the report came
from, to the bank of the creek, and
there saw in the sand where some one
had been hiding. Following the tracks
short distance he discovered Scott
Briley and Lee Briley, endeavoring to
hide themselves in the high grass. Be-
lieying that they were his assailants he
drew a revolver and fired four shots al
them, and then finding that he was
growing weak, he retraced his steps and
started for home, believing he was NOR
tally wounded. In the mean time the
Briley Brothers were both shooting al
him, and only ceased when he was
within a half mile of home, when il
appeared as if the gun Scott Briley haG
would not fire any more.
Yesterday morning Justice Paddock
DR.. Kessler, Homer Holcomb anG
Meade Stolp went to where the shoot
ing was done, to ascertain if any clev
could be discovered. They found the
tracks of Mr.. IIolcomb in the sant
where he fell as he stated, and few
rods away was dead sheep, an exami
nation of which showed that it haC
been shot. Further examination show
ed foot tracks to the point where som,
one had been hiding behind the bank
and the route being direct line t.
where Mr.. IIolcomb fell, the parties
concluded that the ball went through
Mr.. HIS body and went into the sheep
killing it. The ball cut out is ~ o
80 calibre, such as are used in Spence
target rifles; and DIR. Kessler think
there is no doubt that is the same tina
wounded Mr.. Holcomb. Every state
ment made in the an-temOrtem state
ment as to the situation of the partie
was corroborated by the examination
made by the parties mentioned above.
TIE ARREST.
"Wednesday afternoon late Homer HoI
comb came down for medical assistanc
for his father, and DIR. kcssIer went ND a
once.
The son then swore out complaint be
fore Judge Sheplcr charging Scott an
Lee Briley with shooting II. w. Holcoml
with intent to Kill. On this complain
Esquire Hess Issued a warrant and placed
In the hands Of Sheriff Rigg, who wit
John Shepler and George Oliver, imm,
diateiy started to the Briley ranch, !
miles north OF here, TO get the two mel
The rain was pouring in torrents, II
streams swollen, and il was midnight b
fore the sheriff and his guard arrived
thrir destination. They ut once surroundt
the house, when the sheriff knocked at n
door for admission. The boys were c,
IDENTIFY expecting visitors, for they frat a,
ccrtaincd for certain that it was the shcri
when they opened the door and surrcnde
ell without word.
The sheriff and party remained until da
light and started here with their prisoner
arriving about 8 O'Clock.
Scott Brilry. the older OF the two. Is
man 30 years old, about 3 feet 10 inch.
with black hair and eyes; S,Ort black VIII
kers over his face, with determined loo
, and face that Is not at all rrpnlsive. r
brother. zee. is abouf % ve,rs oil 49,