The Helena independent., 1892-08-13
THE LAST OF THE GANG,
Gov Tools Decides TO Pardon Henry
Edmunson, Now at Deor
Lodge.
The Leader Of Ono OF tho Most
Famous Bands Of Horse
Thieves.
His Sentence 0f Fourteen Years Abont to
Expirs-Ths History Of ths Famous
Case-C0n Murphy's End.

~s.t O080-VOA MNUrphye ASuWs
Governor Toole has pardoned Henry Ed
mnnson, ths leader Of the gang Of horse
thieves who operated this section about
eight years ago, and who was sentenced In
November 1884 to fourteen yoars In the
penitentiary. Edmunson's brother, John,
and three other members of the gang were
convicted at the Same time. John got
twelve years sentence. and was pardoned
by Gov. Leslie In 1889. The three other
men got sentences Of fve years each. Tho
governors action, which will without doubt
be approved by the board of patdons. IL
explained In the following letter to that
body:
'sHenry Edmunson, q convict in tho state
penitentiary. was sentsncsd to serve term
Of fourteen years for grand larceny. The
prison records show that during his entire
service his conduct has bosn exemplary, by
reason of which be has earned all Of the
good time which the statute allows. His
torn will therefore expire in about six
months from this time. His father and
mother. aged respectively seventy-hve and
seventy-f four years, have journeyed here
from the state of Nebraska to interpose to
secure his restoration to citizenship. and
return with him. Many OF our best citi-
gems who are conversant with the facts and
the length of his imprisonment. including
his former neiRhbors. have appealed to me
to pardon him. Under the circumstances
consider the request a reasonable ono. by
the time his case cnn be heard before your
honorable board he will have less than six
months to serve. Upon the principles OF
reformation, and ont of regard for his aged
parents, whom / have known for many
years, thereby grant him . pardon. cub
jecs to your approval"
Tho matter will be disposed Of by the
board within the next three weeks and
Henry Edmunson will 60 back to Nebraska
with his parents. With good time his sen:
tence will have expired March s, 1888.
Though after bis conviction Edmunson
made frequent threats against Judge D. G.
Wade. who sentenced him, that aentlema n
Joined in accommodation for
! pardon which was made to the
governor in December, 1890. Nc
action WAS taken on. that application
| but when it was renewed few weeks ago,
after the arrival of the prisoners pareuts,
since the time left was so short. Ono of the
most persistent workers for the pardon was
tho convict's brother John after his own
release.
No chapter in the history of a western
community is more interesting than tha
| which relates to the onerations and tht
running down of the Edmunson gang O.
horse thieves. They had been the terror Of
ranchers and horse breeders all over Mon
tana. One of the most desperate of then
was Con Murphy. who probably escaped ,
long term in prison by getting hanged
Priokly Pear canyon in the summer o
1884 He was arrested, but the night bsfo!
his trial was to come off he broke out o
the jail here. Pursuit was made and Muir
ply was captured, confederate having
betrayed him. As the officers were bring
relieved them of their prisoner and hange'
him to q railroad bridge. Soon after this
band of thirty or forty horses were run OF
from the Heating ranch, in Jefferson
county, and tho Edmunson gang were get
ting away with the animals into Idah,
them. A regular pitched battle ensued. II
which one Of the thieves named Mann va
killed. Henry Edmunson and three other
were captured. John EdmunBon wa
caught making for the Idaho line with hi
family, with the supposed intention o
meeting the gang and their plonder at
designated point. That supposition va
really about ali the evidence there wal
against John on his trial. r.
l As Boulder had no Jail at that time tn
captured horse thieves were brought Il
Helena for safe keeping until their tria
could take place. The term Of court, a
which they we're to be tried, opened a
that date only ran to Jefferson oitv. fror
which point to Boulder the journey had t
bs made by stage. knowing that th
prisoners were to be taken to Boulder to b
arraigued and confronted with the gran
jury, the members of the gang still q
railway station at Jefferson city was prett
we'll filed with vehicles on the day hefor
Judgs Wade WAS to open court at Boulder
First came the stage containing abou
twenty passengers, among them Judg
Wade, Il. W. Toole, Massena Bullard al
Col. ]. A. Johnston. Behind the stage wa
a wagon filled with Witnesses. Back of th
was Sheriff Cameron. OF Meagher county, VIII
took quite an interest in the case. He W.
in Q buggy with Deputy sheriff Murra
of Jefferson county. Still farther behin'
we're other vehicles filled with lawyers an
others having business at court. BY som
means the authorities got wind OF til
fact that there was to be a rescue attempted
and the prisoners were not taken over thf
day. However, their friends didn't kno
this. and as the coach reached the top of
steep hill. it was held mp by six maske
men. All the passengers were made to n
out and hold up their hands, but none {
them were robbed. When it was found I'll
prisoners we're not on board, the pa
sengers were made to enter the coach m
the driver ordered to go on at full speet
which he did.
Further back OH the road Sheriff Camera
had brush with several of the gang.
saw one Of them hiding behind a rock an
ordered him to come down. The man re
piled with a shot. and he and Camera
fired at each other several times witbou
doing any damage except to the sheriff
coat and the SUR ounding sh rubbery.
Tho trials re suited as already state
Henry Edmunson got fourteen years,
brother John twelve years, and the othe
five years. When Henry Edmunson
pardon is approved by the board tie In,
chapter in tho history OF 4 famous an
desperate band, aud ono Of the best organ
izei gangs in the west, will have bee
} written.
Notice.