The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-12-12
WYOMING BANDITS.
A Band in the Big Horn Basin
Hunted and Hanged.
ILLEGAL CHINESE IMMIGRATION.
The California Congressman Want More Legis-
latiOn-Big Guns for EsquimauIt-
The Sacramento River Rising.

CHEYENNE, Wyo., Dec. IL by special
telegram to THE HERALD. "A report comes
from the north to-day that the people of
the Big Horn basin, Johnson county, have
broken up Kettle Jacks gang of thieves
and cut-throats by hanging seven members
of the band and driving the remainder
from the country. Kettle Jack and four
companions appeared in that region year
ago equipped for prospecting. They estab-
lished rendezvous in an isolated valley
high in the mountains and lived like bar
barians. The party was content to fish
and hunt for some months, but being rein
forced by other desperate characters, COM
menced to plumber on the settlers.
At first they only slaughtered
beef, and stole food, but becoming
holder, they ran horses into Utah and Mon
tana. Farmer Benjamin and his two grown
sons followed the thieves and made a fight
for bunch of horses, but were shot down
and left to rot on the mountain trail. The
gang had now become strong and bold and
ran things to suit themselves The basin
is 80 miles by 80 and contains probably five
hundred people, and every one of these
lived in mortal terror of Kettle Jack and
his lawless followers. The fellows would
drive cattle off the range in daylight and
dispose of them boldly at railroad points
two or three hundred miles away.
A hot battle occurred when Jack
forced into marriage the handsome
daughter of a leading citizen. The father
headed rescuing party, but the citizens
were forced back with loss of two killed
and several wounded. After these visits
to the settlements the outlaws would retire
to the mountains and debauch for days.
They frequently quarreled among them
selves, but the leader always settled the
difficulties, usually by opening fire on the
cOmbatants. Jack, who is man of force
and executive ability month since startled
the basin with the announcement that he
proposed establishing a monarchy there
with himself as king. The deter
mined settlers organized to fight
this move to the death. They
had been plundered upon in
every conceivable manner, but this blow
they would resist. A toop of 200 was out
fitted at central point and a forced march
made to the stronghold of the outlaws.
Jack and his men were in waiting, and
evidently intended to allow the party to
come to close range before opening fire,
The settlers had fashioned rude cannon.
and from it sent chains, old iron and lead
fairly into the pirate camp. The outlaws
had not counted on anything of this
sort and made a flight after a few
charges, leaving a lot of property
and four dead and several wounded.
A desperate running fight of three days
followed. One settler and two robbers
were shot from the saddle. The citizens
had the better horses and were fitted for a
chase, while the desperadoes were UMPIRE
pared for flight. So Seams, a member of
Jacks band, was overtaken. He was
strung up without ceremony. 1t was sim
ply matter of business. Only few of
the robbers asked it, but no quarter was
given. Several were allowed to write let
tiers. Not single one prayed, but the ma
iority cursed. Six were hanged the first
day, two the next, and three the last day
All of the bodies were decently buried and
description of the known history of each
was recorded. Jack, the citizens much re-
gret, escaped, but there is little liability of
his return. He came from Texas and has
been to South America The leader was
given the name of Kettle Jack because he
once fought an Indian a duel and used
camp kettle for a shield.