The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-08
oUIcB RErRrBuTruN.


The Medicine Lodge Bank Robbers and
Murderers Pursued, Captured and
Lynched.
KANSAS CITY, May "A special to the
Times from Harper, Kas., says: The terri
bic tragedy at Medicine Lodge yesterday,
caused by the attempted robbery of the
Barber County bank, had a terrible sequel
last night, when the four robbers and muir
derers were lynched by the excited popu-
lace, who followed them from the bank i'm
mediately after the killing of Mr.. Geppert,
the Cashier, and mortal wounding OF MIR.
Payne, the President. There has been
great excitement at this point since the news
of the tragedy arrived by courier, and this
morning number of citizens went to Medi-
cine Lodge 20 view for themselves the scene
of the unfortunate and cowardly killing and
TO take part in the pursuit and punishment
of the robbers if their assistance was needed
Long before they reached the seat OF action.
however, the tOur men who had planned the
attack upon the bank, which resulted in the
death of Mr.. Geppert, had been tried. found
guilty and executed by Judge Lynch, and
the verdict of the entire southern section or
Kansas is that they only received
THEIR JUST DUES.
The latest particulars OF the attempted ROD
berry 20 to show that the affair was planned
several days since at Harper, or some point
east or SOUTH and it was the work OF the
four men who so quickly paid the penalty
of their crime. Their names are Henry
Brown, at one time Marshal of Caldwell,
KaS.; Ben Wheeler, ex-Assistant Marshal OF
the same place; John WeStley, noted cow
boy, desperate and dead shot, and William
Smith, by occupation cowboy. Ihey
reached Medicine Lodge some time on Tues
day, but did not shOS themselves together
until just before the attack. The streets
during Wednesday were almost deserted in
consequence of the heavy rain which had
been falling since early morning. Watch
ing their opportunity the four men ap-
preached the bank a few minutes past ten
o'clock, and while two of them entered the
remaining two staid outside. At the
time the Cashier and President were alone.
A third party who had been tranSaeting
some business, passing out as the rob
bers entered Mr. Geppert looked up as
the men came into the bank, and when
ordered to throw up his hands, turned and
tried to reach his revolver, but was instantly
killed by one of the men. supposed to have
been Wesley. Mr.. Payne was also shot
through the body and fell to the floor, and
promiScuouS firing enSued. The first init
nation any one had of the trouble was the
report of pistol shots and cowboy yeils in
the bank, which was taken up by the two
outside, who yelled and fired prOmiScuously.
This quickly drew a crowd, who
RETURNED TIE FIRE
with spirit, making it so hot that the rob
bers mounted their horses ami quickly
started for the Indian Territory. Instantly
the citizens began arming for pursuit, first
ten, then fifty and finally hundred TAX
ing the saddle. The chase was short. how
ever, as the pursued became convinced that
flight was useless and so made
stand on the hill three miles
west of the town. Here they
were surrounded and lively ,sllirmiSh en-
sued until nearly two O'Clock, when finding
themselves completely surrounded and their
ammunition gone the robbers held up their
hands and surrendered. Upon being brought
to town they were heavily irOned and placed
in jail under strong guard, but the sight of
the murdered Cashier and dying President
so eXaSperated the citizens that it was seen
that nothing short of a genuine necktie
party would satisfy theil. After waiting
a few hours the crowd began to gather at
the Jail. and demand was made for the
men. This was refused by the officers, but
the crowd would not be put off,
and suddenly move was made
upon the Jail, the guard OyerpOwered,
the doors broken open, and wild
rush made for the cells holding the tren-
bling prisoners, who fnlly realized that their
hour had come. Wesley had in some way
concealed a revolver about his person, and
fbo no hn
fire, but was almost instantly
RIDDLED WITH BULLETS.
and fell dead with a dozen bullets in his
body. 1t was an easy matter to force the
cell doors, and ropes being produced, the
three men were led out and
nOOseS placed about their necks. They
were then half dragged to a small grove a
short distance from town and hanged To sep
arate trees. Two of them died game, but the
third begged for mercy and asked that he
might be shot instead of hung. His execution
ers had no mercy, however, and he was
hung with the the Others. Before the lynch
ing all of the men were recognized, and
Wesley was identified as well-knOwn deS-
peraGO and one of the best shots III the
State. BY hiT resistance at the Jail he met
death more speedily and evaded the halter.
Before deash the men admitted
nothing and offered no excuse. Geppert,
the cashier, was shot in the head
and breast, dying instantly. Mr.. Payne was
shot in the lett breast just above the heart, |
and is reported dying. He was proprietor
of the Inder, and one of the wealthieSt men
in this section. The robbers had with them
wire cutters and powder with which to blow
up the safe had they obtained the chance.
Not dollar was taken from the bank, how |
ever.