The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-10
HUNTS DEATH.
Report Of the Grand Jury on the Walla
WalIa LynChing.

WALLA WALLA, June 9.-The Grand
Jury empanelec to investigate the lynching
of A. j. Hunt by soldiers, April oath, made
a report to the Superior Court to-day. The
report says in part:
I'VE examined II witnesses, 81 being sol
diers and II citizens, and We found true bills
against seven enlisted men OF the
Fourth United States Cavalry. Our work
has been delayed by reason OF a difficulty
in securing evidence OF parties. VINO we
were firmly convinced know many OF the
participants in the outrage. Nevertheless
/ we are satisfied that there are a number OF
soldiers against whom insufficient evidence
has been pTOcurable to warrant their indict-
ment, that are equally guilty with those in
dcted
UNHEEDED WARNING.
"There is nc doubt that Colonel COmpto
did not believe his troops would make
attack upon tie County Jail, although he
Prosecuting Attorney and the Sheriff int r
viewed Colonel Compton as to reports
which reached them regarding the pre-
meditated lynching Of Hunt. But the at
tack on the Sheriff and his prisoner (HunD
on the night before the lynching. and the
open defiance Of a commissioned officer sup
ported by the guard, should have been suth-
cient warning to him of what might be eX-
pected, and negligence existed IN his not
taking ample precautiOn to keen his men
over the shooting, Colonel Compton nc
elected TO take proper meaSurers to prevent
his men from appearing at the jail. While
pTecauti0n would have prevented the out
rage, in justice to Colonel Compton we VIII
state that since the lynching he has rem
dered the jury all the aid within his pc wer
in our investigation.
THE SHERIFF SnsLED.
"While we do not think the outside jail
door of sufficient strength to with tand the
prolonged siege from an armed BODY OF men 9.
if the Sheriff had placed himself and his
guards on the inside OF the Jail corridor and
used the means within his power to protect
his prisoner the attempt to lynch would
have been frustrated. We are also Of the
opinion that the Sheriff was taken by sur
prise and was not prepared for defense. He
believed the attack was 10 occur much later
at night. The threat to blow up The Jail
the doors were not opened was no excuse
for the Sheriff unlocking the doors We
believe if the Sheriff had made proper re-
SStance a general alarm could have been
sounded and in all probability the mob
would have dispersed without gaining their
object.
SUGGESTIONS BY THE JURY.
1--WE suggest that the Board of County
Commissioners prepare a statement OF the
expenses which the county has in
CURED and will incur on account Of
the outrage and present the same as
a claim against the United States Gov
eminent. Relations must continue very
much strained between the enlisted
men at Fort Walla Walla and our city
and county peace officers and citizens. We
are, therefore, of the opinion that it would
be wise and proper that the troops of this
fort be exchanged. This is in our opinion
the proper step to be taken to restore con-
fidence and harmony between the city and
the garrison and possibly prevent further
trouble
The judge cOmp!imented the jury on its
work and said the most valuable result Of
lis work viii be the effect il viii produce
upon the good name of Walla Walla through
out the country.