The Ottawa free trader., 1889-06-22
rn. rsrro, of Northv,lle.

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Worthwhile about thirty-two years ago. His
uncle, Ben Let's. a wild daredevil OF the
Buffalo Bill description, was one Of the lead
ers of the Canadian rebellion and blew up
the locks in the Wel,and canal, deed for
which the British government placed
price upon his head. He was Afterwards
poisoned for the reward by man and
woman who enticed him into boat on lake
Michigan. With his uncles example IN
mind, Zina grew to young manhood, and,
having good education, spent several years
of travel IN the southwest and Mexico, and
then went to South America. He then re-
turned TO the United States, killed man in
quarrel in Texas and returned home. Upon
his arrival home he found that his fathers
farm had been sold to pay deots, and he was
penniless; but he went TO work, and in
year had saved enough money to buy
Winchester rifle, shot gun and pair Of
self.cocking revolvers. With these in his
possession he went over to his fathers late
property and placed his effects in suit of
rooms on the second floor, gave the family
who had been placed in charge Of the prem
ises by Sam Let's, the purchaser, warning
that he would thereafter occupy that portion
Of the house, threatening death to anyone
who would remove his chattels. From that
day until three weeks ago Zina Let's was
the absolute monarch of Worthwhile. He
made up his mind that he wanted TO marry
wealthy farmers daughter, and riding up
to the house one night he went in and asked
her to ride with him. Having known him
for years the girl complied with his request,
but after short time was somewhat start
led when Zina turned his horses head into
the door-yard of the local justice Of the
peace. "Why, Zins!" she exclaimed,
"Where are you going?" "Going to get
married " ITO whom?" "To you, Of
course!" But she objected and Zina was
forced to drive her home, though not with
out sundry threats Of vengeance. These
threats were treated as idle remarks until
one day Zina was remarked coming down the
road with his Winchester on his arm. A
neighbor asked him where he was going. He
said that he vas about to kill the girls
father, as the old - had poisoned
the girls mind against him. He was dis
suaded from his purpose, but later said he
would kill six of Northville's most promi'
nent men. He would not kill any one man
as a separate job, because he would expect
to hang for it, but he would wait until he
was able to kill three or four of them in
bunch, and after that he did not care how
soon he was hanged.
Shortly after this episode Zina at
tempted to WOO another of Northville's
daughters. but was unsuccessful. He be-
came veritable terror, and the six men
whom he had declared Ee would murder
were never seen together during his stay in
Worthwhile and no one of them moved from
his door unarmed, for Let's was dead shot,
and could strike a half dollar with Win
chester at fifty yards, or drive tack with
revolver at distance Of four rods.
About three weeks ago, at an early hour
in the morning, Zina espied j. Ivor Mont
gomery in the yard of the house which he
had captured, looking over some pigs. He
took down his Winchester, and as Mont
gomery was one Of the men whom he had
singled out for death, proceeded down the
yard and covered him.
"Get down Oh your knees and pray, -
- you," he howled as ne COCK ed the gun.
you've got just five minutes to live!"
Montgomery saw that he was in dead
earnest, but knowing that if he knelt he
would be dead man, he began to expostu.
late with Let's, saying he was married and
speaking of his wife and children. Let's
headed the gun toward him and reached
around for the revolver in bis hip pocket,
telling j. Ivor tha, there was q gun and
d-n mis- wife and children. Then his mood
changed, and saying that he could not afford
to hang for one mans life he told Montgom-
cry to leave, but the next time he saw him
he would surely kill him.
This was too much for Montgomery, who
had believed him insane for years, and COM
ing to the city he instituted an inquiry into
his sanity. Deputy Yokey was detailei to
90 out and capture Let's, and, knowing the
character of the man with whom he was
dealing event well armed. He went TO the
house while Let's was asleep, and entering
his room got between him and his guns and
placed him under arrest. Without his fire
arms he proved an srrant coward, and made
a most submissive prisoner as long as the
menacles were ON his wrists and the re.
volver of the deputy was at his head or in
that officers pocket.
He was taken to the asylum and locked
in barred cell, heavily ironed, and day
or two later he was taken to the county
court. Montgomery had great difficulty in
procuring witnesses against him, as every.
one was afraid Of him, but enough testimony
was introduced to prove him dangerous
maniac, and he was committed to the asylum
to await admission to the Elgin hospital.
While in the sheriff's Office he made des,
perate break for liberty. Placing his chin
well down upon his chest he pulled his hat
down over his face he leaped through one
of the heavy windows Deputy Yockey
leaped after him and captured him at Stiefel 8
corner. While in the asylum he was asked
what he would do with the insane confined
there.
ado with EN- - he exclaimed. "Take
these irons off and give me my Winchester
Oh, I'd stop their noise and he laughed
in fendish glee.
Let's last deed under free air was an at
tempt to escape from Msj. Gibson, near Au-
rora, on the way TO the insane hospital. He
reared and struggled for nearly twenty
minutes, and although his hands we're strap
ped to his sides he threw Major Gibson, in
turing his left arm and knee severely At
Aurora the Major hired robust young man
to assist him, and Let's subsidtd.
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