Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-01-14
CAPTURED THE GANG.
The Kelly Family, Rivals of
the Benders, Receive
Their Due Reward.
Confession by the Old Man.-The
Horrible Discovery.
A CIIARNAL HOUSE.

family in their 'dug out' tavern, in mo
Mans Land on the line between Meade Cen
ter, Kansas, and Beaver City, as already
chronicled, have taken on fresh interest since
the reports received here Of the manner of the
taking of of the Kelly's. kelly's house was
arranged very much after the fashion Of that
used by the notorious Benders, except that al
the Kelly place the visitor was seated In a
chair over a trap door, which door would be
opened suddenly, precipitating the victim in
to a cellar, where he could be dispatched at
leisure.
About the middle Of December Kelly's
house was shut up, and no one could tell what
had become Of the inmates. soon came in
quiry from a Chicago firm for & missing drum
mer, and he was traced to the
Kelly retreat, but no further. A
close scrutiny Of the premises led to the
breaking down of the door Of the house, when
the dead body of the missing man was found
In the cellar, nearly eaten up by rats. There
were also five other bodies found Ia this pit oI
hell, but al in varying states Of d%ecomposi-
ton, from decaying, rat-eatcn flesh, to the
ShdStiNs SiiihllS ShCittpb' DtSItso hitSt,
there were four bodies found buried beneath
the stable, one of which was that of "a woman
about thirty years of age. Lying alongside of
the barn, buried at 4 depth Of not over three
feet, was unearthed the remains of a man
which appeared to he better dressed than any
buried the bodies of a third man and woman,
whose heads were crushed as though from a
blow with some heavy instrument. In the
woodshed was found a blunt AK, upon which
were still plainly visible particles Of flesh and
human hair, as well as clots OF blood. No one
knew where the family were, but one thing
was certain-they were gone.
MAKING THEIR ESCAPE.
When information of the CHASTITY find was
brought 10 Beaver City, it was recollected
that the Kelly family, consisting Of the old
man, William, aged about ~ffty-ive years;
Billy a son of twenty; kit" the old
mans wife, and kit" the twenty-year-old
daughter, had only "A few days before passed
through town en- route, as they said, TO New
Mexico. They were driving a span Of horses
and leading four others, and seemed to have
plenty OF money, A posse OF twenty citizens
was at once made up and started In pursuit.
The trail led along the north bank Of Palo
Duro creek. As the race continued it was
fund that the villains had changed their
course south, toward Wheeler county, Texas,
for which point they were evidently aiming.
From returning wagons on the road it was
also ascertained that the parties wanted were
not far in the lead. About noon on
Thursday last they were seen, and at
once seemed TO discover their pursuers, as
they left the wagon and at once mounted the
horses which they had been leading. From
this time until two hours later a hot chase
was had, when the horse ridden by Mrs. Kelly
stumbled and fell, breaking its own neck. No
stop was made by either party on account Of
the incident, and about IA half hour later the
pursuing band Of yigilantes were near enough
TO the son and daughter to shoot. A cry Of
halt brought them to a stop, but the old
man, who rode a better animal, kept on his
way.
THE HANGING.
Upon the pursuers coming up with "Bill"
and Kit" and surrounding them, the girl
began at cuce begging for mercy and saying
she never killed anybody 1t was Of no
use. The evidence was too conclusive, and
besides Bill said:
"Oh, shut up! 1t isn't any use, Kit. You've
got to 90 with me-. You know you had Just
as much to do about il AS l."
Ropes were speedily procured and the two
bound. There was no ceremony. One Of the
party climbed a tree and slipped two ropes
over one of the outstretched branches. At the
ends two running nooses had been made. The
murderers were then placed beneath them and
the ropes adjusted about their necks In true
hangman style. They were given a chance 10
pray or make any statement they desired.
There was no such thing as repentance in
either Of the condemned.
Let her CO., said the boy; eve had nv
share Of fun
"Shall | telll" half whispered the girl to her
brother.
"No, - them; let them find out for
themselves was the reply.
The girl nodded assent, and in a moment
the two bodies were hanging suspended in the
air.
The ropes were tied to an adjoining sapling
and the bodies left hanging, while the posse
rode on after the old man Kelly, who, by this
time, had disappeared from sight.
THE OLD MAN CAPTURED.
This trail was easily followed, as the horse
which he rode was shod only In front. Break
ing away towards a low range Of mountains
his pursucrs held on like grim death until
three hours OF terrific riding gave them n
glimpse OF a solitary horseman In front.
Approaching the fugitive with some clatter
the old man spurred on his jaded steed, but
soon heard the command to halt. This he re-
fused to do, when a shot was fired, the ball
spinning past the old mans head. Still ne
kept on, when another shot was heard and
the rider started in his saddle a moment and
then stopped his horse.
In an instant the band surrounded him and
dismounted. Pursuers and pursued were to-
gether. In the deep solitude Of All unbroken
forest the work Of vengeance was to be ac-
complished. With gray hairs hanging I'M
kempt from beneath an old weather-bcaten hat,
with shaggy eyebrows under which
two cold gray eyes twitched and rolled
from one face to another, the old man stood
of how NOT prn,,Jly anI aro.t l,t ouIloo ,.1