Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-05-18

eyes and is abO"t the hight of his brother.
Scott is married and has two small child
r-n. Lee Is single. They have both been
living with their father, p b Briley. To-
gether they have so or 20 head of cattle
and have lately fenced two quarter sec
tons.
Their statement Is to the effect that they
had not been getting along very peaceably
with II. w. Holcomb and his son, who
have objected to them fencing any land !;
that on one Occasional few months since, he
engaged in difficulty with Scott Brilcy,
raised club on him, when Scott Knocked
him down, and then started to Justice of
the peace to pay fine for fighting; that
hOicomb and his son followed him with
pistols and he barely made his escape.
They further allege that lately their fence
has been cut frequently, and that Tuesday
night Tor distance Of quarter ola mile
II WAS cut In small pitces. This work they
think was done by HOlcomb or by his d.
rection.
They claim that Wednesday afternoon
they had been up to blacksmith shop, and
when returning home started up an ante
lope which they followed for some distance,
near the place where the shooting occur
red; that when they were passing a sand
hill they heard a shot fired near by and
heard bullet whistl; past their heads, but
on looking around could not see any one.
They then retreated and took a position
behind sand hill when they soon discov-
cred ii. w. Holcomb looking for them
about one hundred yards distant. Scott
BIilcy had Spencer target rifle with
him and with this he fired thinking to scare
the old man, but not hit him. The shot
took eff CT, however, and Holcomb fell to
the ground. He then arose and seeing the
Briley boys fired Sc e.al shots at them.
They started home and did not see Hol-
comb any more, and claim they did not
know for certain he was wounded. They
hold they acted purely in self defence, and
were not even expecting to see Holcomb
where they did; nor had they thought OF
way-hying him, and it was purely acciden-
tai that they were near the spot where the
shooting occurred. On the other hand
they claim that they were in constant fear
of violence from the hands of MIR. Hol-
comb They hold rhat they were not in
terfering with his range, and that he had
abundance without troubling about the
small amount they had fenc-d up.
This wis AN unfortunate affair all around,
and much to be deplorcd. From what we
IN learn there has been much bad blood
oil both stiles, that was uncalled for. That
Mr.. HOlcomb was arbitrary, over bearing
and high tempered, few will deny. He
has labOred under the mistaken idea that
his wishes must be respected without re-
gard to the convenience of others, and at
times he has vigorously attempted to make
people allow him his own way.
But no matter what the provocation,
there is no excuse for assassination in any
form; and nothing more cowartlIy can BE-
imagined than shooting man i'm the back
Then to assault an old man at all, is horri-
bic.
We hope Scott and Lee Brilcy are not as
guilty rs Mr.. Iolcomb'S sworn statement
makes them appear.
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION.
Yesterday afternoon Scott and Lee Bri-
ley were arraigned before Justice Hess
with County Attorney Sample for III,
state, and G. w Ellis for the defense. Tn,
case was continued until next Saturday
May 26. to await the result of the wount
inflicted on Mr.. HolcOmb. The prisoner,
were then rcmanded TO the sheriff with tn,
privilege Of giving bond, Scott in the sun
of 5000 and Lee $1,000. Up to noon to.
dry, Friday, they had not made their bond
Geppert Il Stone want three yoke -o
good work cattle Immediate 30