Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-05-20
A WESTERN EXECUTION.
Bow Captain Bosley Was Tried and Foun
GUILTY.

Bow Captain Bosley Was Tried and Found
Guilty.
A remarkably thrilling story of one
of the tragedies that marked the mad
rush of emigrants westward over the
plains after the discovery of gold in
California has recently been narrated
by Mr.. Jay Green, who left Illinois
with an overland party in 1852.
AS was customary, the party with
which Mr.. Green travelled was con-
solidated with several others that
they overlook on their way, among
the rest by two Kentuckians, Col.
Bosley and Major Beal by name. The
Kentuckians had quarreled shortly
after joining the train, but every
thing appeared to have been amicably
arranged until one day it was decided
to camp for rest until noon of the
day following. This did not suit
Bosley, who desired to 60 on, and he
hltched up his two mules and left
the camp early the next morning.
though his partner refused togo with
him.
Beal then made arrangements with
Mr. Green and his partner for con-
veYance to California, and it was de-
cided at 10 a. m. to break camp. At
noon the train overlook Bosley, who
had stopped to feed his mules They
passed him and soon came to very
steep hill. Mr.. Green's team was in
the lead, and Beal was driving it.
When they got to the top of the hill
they waited for the other teams to
come I'D. What followed is best told
in Mr.. Green's own language:
Just at this time Bosley appeared
at the top of the hill, riding a mare
and carrying a double barreled shot
gun on the horn of his saddle. He
rode up quickly, his eyes flashing in
tense anger, and demanded:
"Major,. are you going to leaye me
in this kind of a Way?"
Beal replied firmly, eyes, sir, I
am"
Bosley instantly raised his gun and
fired. I sprang forward to save the
mans life, but not in time. Igrasped
the muzzle of Bosley's gun and held
it down, but the fatal messenger had
sped. l commanded Bosley to sur
render. Still holding the gun by the
barrels I tried to wrest it from him.
and in the effort pulled him out of
the saddle. Then ensued terrible
struggle between US for the gun.
Bosley retained his hold upon it. He
was a large, muscular fellow, and he
was in frenzy. He cooked the lock
on the loaded barrel and pushed me
backward, all the time endeavoring
to bring the gun in range with my
body, while I was struggling as des-
peratelY to hold the muzZle on the
ground.
In this way he ran me back to some
brambles My feet became entangled
and l fell on my hands and knees. 1
still held to the gun. [ called for
help. I shouted murder. No one
came to my relief. My legs were
crossed. l was powerless. kept on
struggling, and at last got my feet
squarelY under me. With all my
strength I suddenly raised erect, lift
ing Bosley off his feet, throwing him
over my head and wrenching the gun
from his hands.
Our entire train was soon on the
scene, and Bosley was put under
guard, and we all Travelled on, the OBJ
Ject being to Join another large emil
grafton train, and with this increased
number Of men to hold a council and
determine what should be done with
Bosley.
On June Is, 1852, we found a mule
train from Pennsylvania bound for
Oregon. We now had at least 100
men. 1t did not take long for the
leaders of the companies to decide
upon a plan of action. Bosley should
be tried then and there for murder.
A hollow square was formed of OK
Jokes. In the center of this square
Bosley Was made to take a seat. A
jury of six unbiased men was chosen
to hear the evidence. The Captain
of the Oregon company conducted
the trial. After the evidence had
been given, the jury retired from the
rest of the crowd, and soon agreed
that the prisoner was guilty, but
could not fix the punishment. The
Oregon Captain then drew a long line
on the ground, and said: "All of
you who are in favor of inflicting the
death penalty Immediately will cross
this line"
The crowd rushed like a flock of
sheep over the dead line" not half
a dozen refraining from this call for
vengeance. The jury again retired
and came in vita the verdict that
Bosley should be shot at o'clock the
next morning.
The hour OF execution came.
Twelve men were drawn by ballot to
act as executioners. One of the party
was instructed to load six rifles with
powder and ball and six with powder
only. The guns were then placed in
the hands of the twelve men, who
to the place where the pris-
oner awaited death.
The Oregon captain then took a
blanket and spread it on the ground.