The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-05-02
SHOT BY. A POSSE
Will Eaton Killed at Marshall While
Running From Officers.
THE TARGET OF FIVE GUNS
A Prominent Young Man Picks Up DE
coy Letter Laid to Catch u
Blackmailer.

MARSHALL, H., April 29.-William
Eaton, 81 years old, son of respected
family, was shot and instantly killed by
posse of officers who were lying in
wait for an alleged blackmailer While
the evidence seems conclusive agains:
Eaton, nearly everybody in the city
thinks he was an innocent dupe or else
that the police killed the wrong man.
Never before was the town In such a
wild state Of excitement. 1t is claimed
that the shooting was unwarranted, as
Eaton could easily have been captured
alive.
Mrs. Brown, wealthy widow, mother
of Robert II. Brown, the banker, re-
ceived letter without signature, stat
ing that unless $500 was placed in an
cnvelop near the residence at 8 O'Clock
In the evening the house would be de-
stroycd. The letter follows:
quested by parties unknown to you to
deliver to said parties the sum of $500
in paper money. We are desperate and
determined men and we make this de-
mand for money because we must and
positively will have it at any cost. You
are one of the wealthiest persons of this
town and are able to stand it. Should
you refuse to give us this money it will
cost you your property. On the other
hand, If you grant this request you need
have no cause to be afraid of our ever
troubling you again. This is no idle
threat, for we mean jus, what we say,
and are prepared to do what we say.
This amount you will never miss, but it
means great deal to us, and we are
desperate enough to do anything for
money. 1t will be useless for you to get
out of it without suffering the conse-
quences, for we have been there before
1t will also be useless to attempt to trip
US, for we are prepared for any emer-
gency. This is warning, and the last
we will give; the money must be ready.
Place it in an envelop and lay it on the
fence by the side OF the west gate post
at the top of post of the barnyard gate.
Place it there promptly at s O'Clock and
it will be taken without molesting or
meeting you, which we suppose would
be very unpleasant to you. Don't allow
yourself to think we do not mean this,
for we do, and we will most certainly
carry out our threat. We must have
money"
The note was found in the hall of the
Brown residence. 1t was written with
a pencil and closed with detailed direc-
tions as to where the envelop should be
placed on gate at the side of the
Brown residence. The note was turned
over to the officers, who expected an
attack from several men and prepared
to prevent it.
At the appointed time Sheriff Herst,
City Marshal Hedwick, two sons of Mrs.
Brown and John Hanks were located at
convenient places about the house An
envelop containing blank paper was at
the place designated in the letter. The
watchers saw one man approach at
about the hour named and stop before
he reached the location, pause an in
slant and pass on. A few minutes later
another man was seen approaching.
The man reached the gate, secured the
letter and turned to go.
The officer cried Halt" but the man
did not halt. He started to run, and
had gone but a few feet when Ave shots
rang out simultaneously as of one gun.
The officers found Will Eaton, a we'll
known young man, bathed in blood and
breathing his last. The shots alarmed
the town and large crowd soon gath.
cred. The dead man was the son of
John Eaton, blacksmith, and bore a |
good reputation. When the report be-
came noised about that he was shot the |
citizens denounced the action of the |
officers as hasty and unnecessary. 1t
was hard to believe that a young man
of his reputation would have been in
such scheme, and his friends firmly
believe that he was either led into it by
accomplices or hired 10 do the work.
The statement of the officers makes it
appear that the attempt was made by
at least two people. Marshal Hedwick
stated that the first man was evidently
an accomplice on account of his be-
havior. "When the shots were fred"
said Hedwick, II started toward him.
or rather he started toward me. / sup
posed 1t was tramp and caught him
BY the arm. The wounded man said:
my God, Willard, is that you7 l did
not intend to murder the poor widow.
must have been crazy He said some
hing about some other person which l
lid not hear, and when he began to
'tagger did not know who it was at
hat time. If I had had a thousand
,uesses Eaton would have been the last
would have mentioned"
1t was dark place where the shoot
ne occurred and it was impossible to
zee plainly. The fatal shot struck
Cation in the breast, another in the hip
md his left hand was torn by a shot
rom a pistol. Marshal Hedwick did
lot shoot. The boy had left a lady to /.
Vhom be was engaged only few mo-
nents before the shootinU He roula !.