The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-08
they GOT some OF Them
Four OF the Mob That Arbushed
Sheriff Dunn Brought Down
by Pursuers.
a Running Fight on the Prairie
That Continued for
Miles.
Both Sides Swearing Vengeance and Rest
ing Uneasily on Their Arms--More
Killing Very Probable.

Both Sides Swearing Vengeance and Rest
ing Uneasily on Their Arms More
Killing Very Probable.
ARKALoN, Kan. Jan. 7.--Deputy sherihs
hnye partially avenged the death Of Sheriff
Dunn. 1t is not known positively, but ii
seems more than likely that as result or
the attempt OF the deputies to bring the
slayers OF the sheriff to Justice and force
expiation of the murder, four outlaws were
killed this afternoon. A courier arrived
here at noon just in from the south linaof
the state. He reports a running conflict
between fleeing desperadoes and an armed
posse OF pnrsuers. Two wagon loads of
men who had escaped in gulch south of
Springfield were discovered. They saw the
pursuers at about the same moment and
then commenced a life and death race. For
ten miles the two parties were not within
firing distance, but just before dusk ths
pursuing party came within less than
quarter of n mile of the desperadoes, and
the firing commenced. The running fight
was kept up on level plain for a distance
Of four miles. Following one fusilade four
men were seen to tumble from their seats
in the wagons. II could not be ascertained
whether they were killed or wounded. The
pursuing party finding that their jaded
horses could not carry them further made
detour of some half a mile to ranch where
they procured fresh horses and the race
was resumed. The courier started back
from that point. He says the pursuing
party, numbering fourteen men. would fol-
low the desperadoes into No Mans Land il
necessary, and bring them back dead or
alive. Another courier is hourly expected
and with him news of battle in which
one side or the other sustained serious loss
of life.
1t was learned to-day that the party kill
ing Dunn was made up of details from the
counties of Seward, Stevens, Grant, Morton
and Haskell. Threats have been made in
each of these five counties that in case
Judge Botkin attempts to open court in
either he will be killed, and the threats
came from men known to be desperate.
The scenes in this corn ty are feared in
each of the other counties. This morning
young man named Estes was arrested By
the troops. It il alleged that he Was one of
shsspafty attacking Dunn. One company
of militia is now at Springfield awaiting the
pleasure of Judge Botkin, to assist in open
ing court. meantime aiding the deputy
sheriffs in making arrests of men engaged
in tho battle. That these arrests will be
tho beginning of another trouble ID not
anticipated. All warrants were returnabls
to q justice OF the peace Of this place.
1t being alleged that ii the preliminary
examinations are held in Springfield the
prisoners will be released they. were all
brought to Arkalon. The Jail is at SPRING
field, SO the prisoners are held in vacant
store room, in which the troops are bar
racked. Two more prisoners, @. s. Ander-
afternoon. One of to-day's prisoners is
chairman of the board of county commits
sloners and is also a leading alliance man,
aud all the prisoners belong to the alliance.
Grave fears are felt by Adjutant General
Roberts and the people here that a rescue
thirty or forty we'll armed, de-
termined men could result in only
one way. the release of the prisoners and
possibly bloodshed. The situation is alarm
ing. II Judge Botkin had opened court
when he should have done 30, yesterday.
part of the force at Springfield could have
been sent here to reinforce the prison
guards. 1t is evident that some one is
committing serious blunder that may
have disastrous ending. Col. Roberts in
considering the adyisability of ordering
another company, SO us to have sufficient
protection in case Of attack. He will prob
ably do SO tomorrow, as he has the author
lily OF the governor.
II was necessary to-day to get out OF the
county two detectives, who. as members OF
the alliance. became members OF the vigi-
lance organization that killed Dunn. Their
lives are WORTH but little, as they gave the
information that lead to the Wholesale
ioe riufy rf1 1parrapta Rv p,nry, in n hntb will
be in Places of safety.
At Springfield all is quiet, although the
case is now going on to determine the fight
for sheriff. The alliance candidate was
counted in by a majority of thirteen, but
frauds in counting votes in this, Seward,
ing shows false returns from one township
sufficient to change the actual result. Guy
man, sheritf-eect, who escaped when Dunn
Was killed, went over to-day, and the prob
abilities are that he will qualify, although
the alliance members Of the peoples party
have declared that he would never live until
the 18th. the day he should go into office.
Having protection, he probably will at least
enter upon the discharge OF the duties.
whatever the outcome, and the end will be
reached this week. New fuel will be added
to the flames now sn,ouldering.
Dunn, will return Saturday, after his
fathers funeral for the purpose of settling
up matters, as he says, with quiet, but
dangerous look in his eyes. The six men
who escaped at the canon battle have
openly declared they will hunt to death
every man concerned in the disgraceful af-
fair, and young Dunn has joined them. They
feel the murder bitterly. The feeling is
intensified by the knowledge that the body
of the murdered sheriff was robbed of arms,
watch, jewelry and money, proving thai
outlaws in fact must be dealt with. Then,
too, there is feeling that, following the
Wood murder precedent, the guilty parties
would eventually escape unless summary
Justice is administered.
The situation here may be summed az
follows; Judge Botkin's friends fear the
prisoners will be rescued, and the prison
ers' friends fenr speedy and fatal aotion by
Judge Botkin and friends. There seems to
be good cause for fear on both sides.
Talking Compromise.
NEW YORK. Jan. 7.-[Special. M. ].
Connell Of Butte and j. A. Coram OF Bos-
ton are at the Holland house awaiting
conference with the other heirs Of A. !.
Az. A. u -