Omaha daily bee., 1889-07-15
RIDDLED HIN WITH BULLETS
Maupip, the Squaw Man, Shot Dead
in His Cell at Bassett.
vlelLAnTss wReAk VENGEANCE
by the Light Of Corn Cobs Saturated
With Oil Their Bloody Work
els Accomplished Murder
at Aurora.
Maupin shot to Pieces.

gram to The BEE. .l-Maupln, the squHW
man and desperate, who was wanted
for horse stealing and other crimes
committed In this vicinity during the
last few years, was arrested In Springview
by sheriff's posse last night and placed IN
fail. The news Of his arrest soon spread, and
about 12 o'clock a mob of several hundred
vigilantes surrounded the Jail and demanded
the prisoner. Upon beng refused admit
tance the mob Immediately made prcpara-
tions for charge. Battering rams were Sc
cured and it was but the work of few min
utes for the vigilantos TO effect an entrance.
The sheriff and his assistants ATTEMPTED to
force back the mob, but resistance was use
lcBs, and they were soon overpowered aud
bound.
Quickly securing the keys they proceeded
to Maupins cell and threw open the door. BY
the light of corn cobs saturated with coal
oil Maupin was seen covering and trembling
with fear in the furthermost corner He
made no resistance, but begged piteously for
his life. His appeals for m Grey were in vain,
the only answer he received being shot
from revolver in the hands OF one Of the
vigilantes This was the signal for per-
feet torrent of bullets, and when the sickly
light of the improvised torches pierced the
gloom of the smoke filled cell Maupin's body
was seen lying ut full length on the floor,
literally riddled with bullets. Thirteen
shots had taken effect, ard death was instan
taneons Many of the bullets had passed
clear through his body. After accomplish
ing their bloody work the mob quickly dis
pcrsed.
1t had been tho intention of the vigiIantes
to hang the desperate, but the impetuosity
of one of their number in firing shot in the
cell seemed to intensity the thirst of the
mob for blood, and the original plan was
abandoned for one more expeditions and
attended with less danger of interruption.
A Cold-BIooded Murder at Aurora.
AURORA, Neb., July l4.-lSpecial Tee-
gram to The BEE.I-One of the most
atrocious and cold-blooded murders ever
committed was enacted ten miles southeast
of here last evening, between and o'clock.
Henry Thornhil shot William Barrett with
double barreled shotgun, killing him in
stantly. David Beats brought the mtelli-
gence here this morning and Coroner Eller-
ton. Deputy Sheriff Eichelberger, Constable
Gebhart and your correspondent went to the
scene of the accident
Upon arriving at Mr.. Barrettis residence
there was found large crowd of indignant
mill for the purpose of hanging Thornhill.
Coroner Ellerton protected the prisoner and
avoided lynching
Il County Attorney Smith took evidence and
tb,s Dry returned n verdict that William
Bspss,t came to his death from gun shot
fred py Henry Thornhill with fclonous In
teny
Barrett was in Aurora yesterday, and on
arriving home laot evening called his wife
ssut of bed and began abusing her. Thorn
y t3fsill came along ana, seeing this, went to q
neighbours, Thomas Cross, and borrowed a
5bs gun, saying he wanted to kill dog. After
lS he received the gun ne told Cross it was 8
y two-legged dog. He then went back and
shot through the window, killing Barrett in
5.antly, the charge taking effect in his neck
and side.
The prisoner, when put on the stand, &C
Fpowledged the shooting and said he done il
to save Mrs Barrett's life. This
is altogether Goo ilmsy. The other
evidence goes to show that Thornhil
ma. been in this neighborhood since last May
having just previously been liberated from
the Kansas penitentiary, where he was con
victed of horse-stealing. He has beon want
ed in this county for several years for variou,
offenses, aud was generally considered
pretty tough character.
After the murder was committed, Mrs
Barrett, together with Thornhill, went t
her parents and stayed all night, Thornhil
giving himself up to the authorities thi,
,aSorning.
4 Mrs. Barrett, on the witness stand, wa
very nervous, and said she would not ans we
some questions unless compelled to. He
2 evidence showed that Thornhill was
favorite with her, and accused her husband
of being untrue and abusive,
The prisoner was brought to Aurora thi
evening, where large crowd awaited them
expecting u lynching.
Never in the history of this county ha
anything occurred to excite the people Il
such degree as this affair." and our peaceful
county is in u turmoil tonight.