Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-10-27
A Wyoming Murderer Pays the Debt of
HIS Terrible Crime.

his Terrible Crime.
RAwMNs (Wyo.), October 26th.-B. f.
Carter was hanged here to-day for the un-
provoked murder of boy-~John Jeffrey
in the fall of 1856. His neck was broken,
and be died instantly.
TIRE MAN AND THE CRIME.
Carter's crime was Of a character quite
unusual in Wyoming. Knowing that his
cowed victim was unarmcd, the cruel bully
shot him down as he would have ended the
existence of helpless dog. The tragedy
occurred in roundup camp on Sand creek,
about twenty-five miles north Of RaWlins
That Carter escaped . speedy and Just ret
ributon was due alone to his horseman-
snip and his knowledge of the country.
On the day Of the killing the dead felon
filed himself with liquor and became quar-
relsome. As target for his taunts, insults
and blows he selected the inoffensiye boy
John Jeffrey. He charged the latter with
being Stock Association spy, one detailed
10 report Irregularities in branding, etc, to
the powerful organization of cattle owners
Jeffrey Indignantly denied the accusation,
when Carter covered him with six shooter
and struck him repeatedly, thorougly ter
ToriZing tue boy. No one believed that the
bully had the courage 10 shoot, and he was
allowed to retain his weapon, although the
cooler heads advised that he be disarmed
He was ordered by the foreman to desist,
under the penalty OF discharge, aud for
time was quiet.
But the evil spirit was in Carter, and he
continued to abuse Jeffrey at every oppor-
tunity during the day. At night Carter's
four bunkies,' or sleeping companions,
retired TO their lent, and their burly mess
mate rode 70 distant ranch where whisky
was sold.
FIENDISH PURPOSE.
The bad man returned with a fiendish
purpose in possession of his whole being.
At the ranch he intimated that he would
spill blood before morning" and he
doubtless meditated the murder Of Jeffrey
Carter charged into the tent, making not
little unnecessary noise. He was drunk,
but did not stagger. The effect of the
liquor was counteracted by the thought of
murder in his cowardly heart. BY the
light OF tallOW candle fixed in a rude
lantern his companions from their blankets
saw Carter flourish his six-shooter. They
realized their danger and dared not utter
word. The clustering ruffian discharged
his weapon, sending bullet whizzing over
the heads Of the PROSTATE occupants of the
tent. To demonstrate with him would
have been folly. Nothing was said. The
bully was chief All were at his mercy.
And now Carter turned his attention to
the bloody task for which he had nerved
himself-lhe ruthless slaughter of Jeffrey,
who was then well nigh dead of terror.
THE MESSENGER OF DEATH.
The crime was committed in an instant.
Carter ordered the boy TO rise, with curse
changed the command to lie down" =" and
while jeffrey was in sitting posture. sent
the messenger of death crashing through
his skull. The lads brains spattered
against the canvas. He died without
moan or struggle.
Carter mounted his broncho and was
away into the night like the wind In half
an hour fifty cowboys were on his trail, de-
ternined to avenge the unprovoked killing
of their favorite. Reinforcemsnts Joined
the chase at every ranch, and Carter's cap
tuTe and early demise seemed certain. But
the murderer had been cunning. He had
selected a speedy horse with tested qualities
of endurance, and travelled a route pecu-
iiarly adapted to his purpose.
THE EXCITING CHASE.
The exciting chase terminated when Car
ter sought shelter ar the ranch of Tom Sun,
a popular pioneer with prosaic ideas of
jusiice-a man who dubbed disciples of
Judge Lynch strangling towards" and
who had previously emphasized his senti-
ments on this subject with death dealing
bullets. As Carter had supposed, Sum- who
was in reality a Deputy Sheriff, accepted
him as prisoner, and threatened to shoot
the first man who attempted to infringe
on the lsw,' as he put it.
The disappointed cowboys dispersed in
bad temper. Carter was taken to Rswlins
and in due time tried. His relatives en-
ployed able counsel, but the testimony was
conclusive. Carter was adjudged guilty
and sentenced to be hanged August oath
last. At earnest solicitation, Governor
Moonlight granted sixtY-day reprieve to
the condemned man, and the case was car
ried to the Supreme tribunal of the Terri
tory. The judgment OF the lower Court
was affirmed in short order. Not solitary
pslliating circumstance could be urged.
The murder was, the Chief Justice said,
premeditated and unprovoked.
HIS FATE SETTLED.
His fate settled. Carter, who had previ-
ously been hopeful, became respondent,
lost his appetite and join the Episcopal
Church. He was not an enthusiastic Chris:
tian, but rather a humble follower not
iemonstrative, but student of the prayer
book.
Carter was a giant in physique He
weighed 100 pounds. was an inch over six
feet in hight, and splendidly proportioned.
Born in a range country, Horton county,
Tex, he was a cowboy from early youth and
an adept at the business. OF surly disposi-
ton he was very bellicose when in his cups,
but never before became involved in serious
trouble. He had been in the Territory eight
years and had worked for half score OF
outfits.
SHERIFF HIGH.
Sheriff William High, who hanged Carter
is quite character himself He is middle
aged, understood individual, whose quiet
but determined ways and known courage
make him an officer to be respected. 1t is
said that High is a killer himself, but be
has nothing to say on the subject 1t is
certain, however, that he is one of the men
who assisted in lynching the notorious
Jack Slade at Virginia City, Mont. High
some time since, purchased the rope and
black cap use at Carter's execution. The
former is five-eights inch cord, fifteen fee
long, and was made by the Chicago manu-
facturer who furnished the Anarchists
hempen coils. The cap was long bas
of the glossiest silk.
HEAVY LOSSES.
n,