The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-06-25
AN UNPARALLELED GRIND.
Eight Year.Old Clyde Robinson
Shot Dead.
WHO KILLED THE LAD
Strong Evidence That He Was Mur
dered by Harry Hammond.
The Latter Is but 1e Years old-A Girl
Saw Him Aim His Shotgun
and Fire-Four Boys
in Jail.


in Jail.
One of the most shocking tragedies
that has occurred here in long time, and
what at this time appears to be crime
without parallel in the history of the
territory, took place near the corner of
Main and Eleventh South streets yester-
day afternoon, when Clyde Robinson,
the Swear old son OF r. S. Robinson, was
shot and instantly killed. The affair is
shrouded in considerable mystery, but
the facts already brought out strongly
indicate that the child was deliberately
murdered by boy not much older than
himself.
1t seems that at IL O'Clock yesterday
morning Harry Hammond, the l2-year-
old son of Constable Hammond of Farm
er's ward, and George Gaylor, aged IL,
LETT the formers home to go shooting,
taking with them the constable's breech-
Loading shotgun and fifteen cartridges
loaded with No. shot. When near
Robinson's residence they had a quarrel
with some other boys, the cause of which
is not clearly established, although young
Hammond says it was because a boy
/
ridge away from him. Gayler and Ham
mond finally proceeded on their way, but
some girl is credited with having heard
the latter threaten to kill somebody when
he came back.
THE MYSTERIOUS SHOT.
Some time later Mr.. and Mrs. Robin
son came up town, leaving their boy
| Clyde and his IL year old sister at home.
The children were playing in the yard
back OF their home, and in the afternoon
two girls, the daughters of neighbor,
| joined them. Along about o. o'clock the
attention of the children was attracted by
some dogs barking in the adjoining lot
and ely de climbed on top of the six foot
board fence to see what was going on.
He had been in that position but mo-
heard and the boy fell to the ground
dead.
SAW HARRY HAMMOND FIRE.
One of the little girls who was looking
through a crack in the fence, says she saw
mond and Harry Hammond standing on
the other side. After Clyde had climbed
on top of the fence, she saw Harry Ham
mond aim his gun at Clyde and fire, and
the four boys then ran off.
! The report of the gun naturally at
tracted the attention of the neighbors,
and Henry Whipple, contractor and
builder, who CHANGED to be but few feet
away, rushed into Robinson's yard. He
found Clyde's sister trying to lit the boy
up, and relieving her he carried the body
to grass plot few feet away and then
rushed out of the yard to ascertain who
had fired the shot. He saw the four boys
named running away, and Hammond was
| still carrying his gun.
YOUNG HAMMOND COMES BACK
Neighbors gathered at the scene by this
time, and while they were discussing the
Gaylor noncnalantly walked up and asked
what had happened. Their conduct threw
suspicion from them, and in few min
utes they went to their homes.
THE POLICE ARRIVE.
The shooting occurred at Just 4:1E
O'Clock, and the police authorities were
at once notified of the affair. Chief Pau
and Detective Sheets hurried to the scene
and at once commenced an investigation
One of the girls, who was playing in the
yard, told them that she saw Hammond
fire the shot, and several other parties
stated that they saw the two Hammond
boys and the two Gayler boys run aftel
the shooting. no.
GAYLER TELLS TWO STORIES.
George Gayler, the oldest one of the
quartette, was soon found by Detective
Sheets, and when placed under arrest he
stated to the detective and Chief Pau
that Harry Hammond fired the shot, an6
insisted that he had nothing to do with
it. The officers thought they were about
TO get the details of the terrible affair
but few minutes later Gayler changed
his mind, repudiated his former state.
ment, and with brazen impudence as
serted tibet neither he or Hammond were
within block of the place when the
shooting took place.
The officers felt satisfied, however, thai
the first statement was the correct one
and went over to Hammond's house tc
find him.
HAMMoND's BRAzEN INDIFFERENCE.
The boy had gone up town, however
and after waiting for three hours they
started up State street, and had not pro-
ceeded far when they met the boy coming
down in cart aid placed him under ar
rest. He displayed an Indifference ane
nerve that would have done credi
TO hardened criminal, refusing
to answer any questions ant
being unmoved by anything that was
said to him. The authorities took tn,
four boys to the city hall, and afterward
turned them over to Sheriff Mcqueen
who locked. them up in the county jai
for the night. A HERALD reporter saw
them there last evening and it was eyi
dent that imprisonment was having it
effect. the boys appearing considerably
.swilted' and showing less of the air o
audacity and Indifference than when they
were when first arrested.
GEORGE GAYLER's STORY.
George Gayler was the first one seen
He is II years old, looks like farmer
boy, possesses average intelligence ant
has fairly good face.
tWhat do you know about this shoot
ing?'' asked the reporter.
tNot much. = replied the boy.
"Will you tell all you know?"
'sYes.''
s'Let's hear it them
"Well, went out shooting with Harr,
Hammond this morning and left hi
house at II O'Clock. We went over th
river and fired fifteen cartridges, all W,
had. We came back in the afternoon
and when near Dunford's fence
about block from Robinson
heard a shot. We hurried oil
to Robinson 8 and when we got in from
of the place saw man dressed in blacl