Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-03-23
TACKLED THE FOURTH Time.
The Partner of the Man Whom
Charles Fouts Killed.
Matt Zimmerman Caught in Utah

A Cheyenne, Wyoming, dispatch of
last Wednesday relates the capture of
Matt Zimmerman, the cowboy desperate,
in Utah last Monday. He has been de-
livered to the Nebraska authorities, and
is awaiting Identification and the execu.
ton of the death sentence.
Zimmerman is a young man, but his
record is a startling one. Seven years
ago, when he was but nineteen, he raided
the ranches in Hitchcock county, Ne
braska, in company with Courtney Bel
mont, young Mexican, and stole big
band of ponies. With those they rode
toward the east, and were soon followed
by Sheriff Jack Woods and motley
Posse of men and boys. Near the hamlet
of Minden, in Kearney county, the stolen
ponie we're found at pasture on the prai-
RE and while his men were busy securing
them, Woods and one deputy rode into
town to look for the thieves. They found
them at supper at the "Prairie Home"
Woods, without much thought Of re-
sistance, went to the door OF the dining
room, gun in hand, and sung out for the
desperadoes to surrender. Quick as
flash, Belmont, who had his pistol on his
lap, made a snap shot, and poor Woods
fell dead. Zimmerman, with an equally
quick shot, winged the deputy, and then
both rushed for the door. As they were
leaving the room they fred another vol
ley, as if to intimidate any one from fol-
lowing them, and r. B. Kelley, a guest
who was trying to get his wife slowed
away out of danger, was killed.
On the porch they met John Collins,
mail carrier, who had just driven up, and
deliberately shooting him down, they
rode off toward the Kansas line. There
was a general turn out in pursuit, and
even the state militia was ordered to join
in the hunt.
A week later, in the early part of No
vember, 1882, Belmont was killed in
what was then called Kansas county, in
Kansas, near the southwest corner of the
state, at place called the Point of Rocks,
by Charles G. Fouts, of Trego county,
Kansas. The thieving raids of Belmont
Trego, Graham, Norton and other coun-
ties in northwest Kansas. In one of
these raids valuable trotting horse was
stolen from the Fouts premises, in the
Saline valley, and this was the cause of
Charles Fouts being in pursuit. Zinl-
norman was completely unnerved by his
partners death, and his capture was
easily effected.
He was taken back to Mindep, tried
and sentenced to death, but the supreme
court reversed the verdict, on the ground
that, as Sheriff Woods had no warrant,
Belmont and Zimmerman were justified
in resisting the arrest.
A second trial was had, and again con-
viction followed, and the death sentence
was imposed. Again the supreme court
reversed the findings.
p Zimmerman was again taken before
Gastin, the same judge. For the third
time he was found guilty, and sentenced
to be hanged. The usual appeal to the
supreme court was taken, and while ii |
was pending the prisoners lawyer hit
upon novel method of securing his eli
ent's release. He succeeded in convin-
cling United States commissioner that
he had the right, pending the hearing, to
admit Zimmerman to bail. He fixed the
bond at $1,000 Straw bail was furnish
ed, and Zimmerman levanted. This was
four years ago, and nothing had been
heard of Zimmerman until his recapture
in Utah last Monday. In the meantime
his case has been decided against him by
the supreme court, and the chances of his
being hung are quite promising.