Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-04-03
TRAGEDY.
The Murderer Of Steadman
Burned to observation-disclosures.

ouTuoo 10 06dCn..E
OAKLAND, Neb., March 22.-The greatest
tragedy ever known In Burt county-in rsc
the greatest Known in the history OF Nebraska
has ended. For thirty six hours the daring
desperado-the murderer of II. G.. Steadman.
the slayer OF Edgar Everett, the man who de-
Tended his own worthless life with q despars-
ton born OF q hend-held a crowd Of pursuers,
at times numbering 300 men, at bay. He could
not be taken alive. He knew that surrender
meant certain and speedy death at the hands
Of the enraged citizens OF Burt county. The
fight he made was a remarkable one. Amply
supplied with ammunition and weapons of
death, he deded every assault made to capture
him In his frail fort.
HE DIED WITHIN IT.
Late last night 1t was decided to fire the
barn and force him either to surrender or stand
In the midst OF the flaming structure aud suffer
human cremation. By some means a shed
that was attached to the barn was iguited. The
murderer seeing the barn was ON fire sent into
the crowd about twenty shots. Fire was
opened on him with Winchester riff es from all
sides and 1t Is supposed he was killed before
he could get out. After the fire had subsidized
the remains were found in a large pile Of Data
which protected him a great deal. Both arms
were burned oil and q part Of both legs. A
part OF his head was shot of and many bullet
holes were found Ia his body. 1t is thought
by some he was wounded In his limbs before
Il taking IN fhQ harm nr ha wnI1lh haun nndnAu-
ored TO escape.
BURIED IN CORR FIELD.
The body was raked from the pile OF seeth-
Ing oats and buried In a contiguous corn field.
The crowd was bent on taking the charred and
roa ted corpse and feeding II TO the hogs. The
sheriff had hard work In resisting the crowd
and according TO the remains a human burial.
The desperado's revolver was found In the
oats, anu proves to be- a good six-shooter,
double-action Colts, 45 calibre. A glance at
the revolver is proof enough OF the character
OF Its cut-throat owner. The murderer was
light built, five and a half feet high, beard
sandy and all over his face, and 20 years old.
De has been going under the name of Allen
Wright, but was sometimes known as Elijah
Johnson.
EXPENSE OF THE sRIaR.
Johnson's barn, In which the murderer took
refuge, Is completely destroy ed with It's con-
tents. Eight valuable head Of mules, three
horses anu three lows were burned in the
barn and sheds. A great deal Of grain was
also destroyed. The barn and contents are
valued at "a $40, which 1t Is supposed the
county will pay. Ii not the amount will be
raised by private contribution Johnson's
farm is damaged very much, being cut up py
wagons, horses and buggies.
HIS oTHER VICTIMS.
Edgar Everett, the man Wright shot through
the lun e during the pursuit, is q years OF
age, a model man. worth about 5000. He
leaves . wife aud two children. DR.. Hildreth,
OF Lyons, together with our doctors, are do
iLg all In their power to ease his pains, but
death Is certain. The wounded persons are
doing well. The sheriff has Wright's pony,
saddle and revolver, which will be sold. The
chambers OF the revolver when found were all
loaded.
HIS CRIME REVIEWED.
Saturday morning MIR. II. T.. Steadman, q
farmer, living five miles north OF Igor 9, this
county, discharged the murderer VII. bit, then
In his employ, and paid him the wages due
him. The discharged man became enraged
and shot Stsadman In the bowels, from the
effects OF which he soon died.
The murderer then mounted a pony and car.
ried with him q goodly stock OF ammunition.
He struck out In q southerly direction. With
out delay Intelligence OF the shooting was car
ried TO the authorities and q mounted posse
started in pursuit. About twelve miles south
Of Oakland, In Cunning county, the murderer
concluded his pursuers we're gaining on him
~ Inplubf II hC blbul'uuNu. buhibk Nv
chase the assassin kept up q continual fire at
HE pursuers. Two shots took effect, one shot
piercing the lunRs OF 4 gar Everett. and the
other taking Effect In the leg OF NJ. z. John
son.
SEEKS REFUGE IN A BARN.
The murderer dismouuted near the barn OK
Charles johnson, In which he sought refuge.
Before bis pursuers could get within range
he was sbfeIy inside his frail, but for the
time impregnable fort. The barn WIS at once
surrounded and a deadly fusilade commenced.
The murderer was armed with q r. volver and
Winchester rife, and the cracks between the
boards of the structure gave him an oppor-
tunity TO shoot with 40 accurate aim. From
Saturday night until Sunday night the fight
WAS kept going. All Efforts TO dislodge him
proved futile. The crowd surrounded his re-
treat hourly increased until nearly 300 men
were pouring missiles of death into the barn
from as many VIII chesters, revOlvers and
shotguns. Failing TO dislodge him by that
method, It was decided TO burn him out. The
barn was fired. the structure completely de-
stroyed, and the despsrado's charred remains
taken from the ashps riddled with bullets and