, 1888-02-18
HUMAN BONES IN COURT
The Supposed GrisIy Remnants OF
Rice on Exhibition.
Most Interesting Murder Trial
Known in Wyoming.
Building a Strong Chain of Circum-
stantial Evidence.

heard In wyoming since 1T had a judicial
history is now in progress in the district
court, and is to be followed by two others
equally interesting. The cases now on
trial-that of the Territory VS.. Robert
Sanderson, and the Territory VS.. Adrian
Everett-grew out of the alleged murder
of Richard Rice some miles below Fort
Laramie in the valley of the North Platte
river, on the l1th of March, 1887, nearly
one year ago.
These cases rest wholly on circumstan-
tlal evidence and every material fact nee
essary to make out the case Of the prose-
cution is disputed by the defense. The
ghastly remains, which were once buried,
bat aftorward exhumed, are now at the
court room and have been there since
Wednesday of the present week. 1t is
denied that they are the remains of Rice.
The fact that Rice is dead is also in dis
putc, and the defense in both of these
cases contend that if Rice was murdered
at all it was not by these defendants, Sam
derson and Everett. All of these matters
will be urged in defense, together with
some things which the attorneys for the
defense have not disclosed.
The case of the Territory VS.. Sander.
son, which is now on trial, was begun
Thursday morning, County Attorney Stoll
appearing for the prosecution and Messrs.
Gibson Clark and I. NJ. Fisher for the
defense. The case of the Territory VS..
Everett comes next, and on this trial,
wherein the evidence will be substantially
the same as that now being adduced in
the Sanderson case, W. P. Carroll will
appear for the defendant. David Lewis
and Mrs. Jennie Berry are indicted as
accessories after the fact in these cases,
and the former is to be defended by Gen.
Thompson. while the latter will be repre-
sented by ex-Secretary Morgan.
1t is claimed by the prosecution that
Rice was murdered at the Everett ranch
and his body thrown into the North Platte
river. The remains, which are now at
the court room, were found on a sandbar
in the river below what is known as the
London ford" in October last.
Thursday the evidence taken was
mainly hat of medical gentlemen, and
among those who testified were Drs.
Grimes, Marston, Barkwell, Corey and
Brechemin, the latter being the surgeon
at Fort Laramie.
All of these gentlemen examined the
remains, and agreed that the man when
alive was from thirty to IS years of age,
weighed from l45 to 100 pounds, and was
not far from FIVE feet eight inches in
height. One Of these medical experts
testified that there were marks of VIC
lence on the jaw bone Of the skeleton
that is, four or five front teeth had been
broken or knocked out. Yesterday sew
eral witnesses were examined, and at 5 p.
m. the prosecution rested.
Coroner Chafin testified in regard to
finding a very peculiar match box in the
pants pocket of the remains, and later on
some of the other witnesses testified that
it was the same kind as that owned by
Rice.
VIM. Grant testified in regard to a dia-
gram of the locality, which was introduced
in evidence.
John Callahan testified that he thought
he could identify the remains by the
clothing found with them. He saw Rice
March 10. He then wore brown pants
with a white stripe. Saw Rice have an
$50 cheek.
John Owens saw Rice March 10; was
very talkativc; had on blue jeans o~vcralls,
light hat and blue shirt.
Mr.. Lochran was at the inquest, and
testified as to the clothing. Found some
tracks leading from a slough near the
Rice ranch to the river. 1t was not OK
actly a track, but looked as though
thing had been dragged either to or from
the river.
Several other witnesses testified, either
to the kind OF clothing worn by Rice or
found with the skeleton, and others, in.
Guiding Grant, Hart and Givens, testified
to finding the trail above referred to, but
all agreed that it was from three to four
weeks after Rice had disappeared.
Stephen Weaver gave the most impor.
tant testimony. lie saw Everett, San
derson and Mrs. Berry going from Rice's
to Everctt's ranch and shortly after
saw Rice follow them. Rice had no hat
on his head; had evidently been drinking
and said he was going up to lick the two
men and bring the woman back. He op-
oned his shirt and said he would show
witness his manly bosom. Witness hen
rode on, heard a shot fired and saw Eve
ratt and Sanderson standing near the for
mer's house, but could not see Rice. Wit
ness rode on a short distance and on look
ing back saw the two men at opposite
corners Of the house working Northward.
He rode on then to the 4P ranch down
the river and when three miles away he
heard two other shots fired.
There was also some testimony ycster