Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-06
A VlCILANTE EXPLANATION.
Why Newell Was Killed and Bab-
cook Made a Prisoner.
RUM-sELLlNG UNDER DIFFICULTY
"A Man Too Lazy to Live-Fooiish Girls
Follow Circus-Relatives of
Johnstown Dead - Judge
Church Banquetcd.
Affairs in Kcya Paha,

SrRISGvIEw. Neb., June 5.--[Special to
THE BEE. Cattle thieves have infested this
region, have stolen cattle, have threatened
lives, have evaded the law, and the people
have been patient, until "forbearance has
ceased to be virtue" The county is. un-
fortunately, located on the border of the
great Sioux reservation, stretching for 200
miles east and west, and over one hundred
miles north. Northwest of here is an ex-
panse of unsettled territory, reaching for
hundreds OF miles. These conditions make
it possible for man to so thoroughly con-
ceal stock that it is impossible for any or
body of men to trace it, and in many in
stances the cattle thieves live right on the
borders of the reservation. They have been
asked to quit and they have laughed They
have been asked to leave the county to avoid
trouble, and they have returned two to one.
They have been told the consequence of re-
naming and continuing their nefarous prac-
tice, and they have just now answered this
by stealing two carloads Of the best cattle
belonging to two of the leading citizens.
1t is said, "Take the law Tor them" The
law has been tried, and the courts have
ruled that they have no Jurisdiction over
crimes committed on the reservation.
In an interview with THE BEE correspond
ent, to-day, q leading citizen said: "Gov-
ernments are instituted among men for the
protection of life and property. Our gov
ernment has failed to protect our property,
and when in the event of such failure our
people try to protect themselves, those who
do not understand the circumstances, and l
sometimes think they do not care to investi
gate, cry out with horror at what our people,
who do know, think the only means. Let
me say that an investigation will convince
any honest man that our people can lind re-
lief only IN organization.
"Thieves were among us IN such numbers
as to alarm even those who were slow to be-
leve them guilty. just the day before the
last steal was made Maupin, Cannon, Bah
cock and others prominently mentioned in
the gang, were either among their sympa-
thlzers in the county or at Bassett or Aims
worth. AT the same time Doc Middleton,
long noted as thief, with three other sus
picious characters, left the train at a small
station on the railroad west of Ainsworth.
With all these facts before our people some
of them would not believe the rumor that
there was big steal on. The cattle were
taken, and to cover their tracks the thieves
fired the reservation, and for two days the
air was so full Of smoke as to almost obscure
the sun. These were the circumstances just
previous to the night of Newell's killing.
"Our people, regardless of committee af-
fliatlons, were aroused to a feeling of des-
peration. Two at least Of the men were in
the county. A hundred determined were
in the saddles. You know the result.
''lt is generally conceded that the commit
tee did not go to Newell's house for any
other purpose than to take thief who was
stopping with him over night. He had said,
nota week before, when cautioned about
harboring the thieves, that the committee
could not take man from his house while he
hved.' Everything goes to prove that he
lived up to this sentiment and fought till the
last. He had made his home rendezvous
for the thieves the entire winter. and had
perhaps interested himself in their welfare
more than any other man. His friends had
cautioned him. The committee had more
than once told him, through individuals, that
he was doing wrong. His brother, Andrew,
Newell, one of our best respected, hardest
working, and most intelligent citizens, had
plead with him to cut loose from his connec-
tion with the band, and all to no avail. The
end had come.
1.-THE vlgilantes are after the gang of
thieves, and, although do not belong to the
committee, hope they will never lay down
their arms until every thief Is run out of its
borders. What else can our people do!
What should they do. Let the honest people
of our country say what"