Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-07
Deputy Sheriff Wilson Makes a Full
Confession.
THE TAR AND FEATHERS ASSAULT
Names Of the Guilty Persons Given
the Police.
ST o RY OF THE AFF AIR

DENVER, Col. August 7.-The News to-
day says:
Joseph r. Wilson, the Ell Paso county
deputy sheriff, who was captured by Adju-
tant General Tarsney in Missouri has made
a full confession and given to Chief Of Po-
lice Armstrong the names Of all the men
connected with the outrage committed In
Colorado Springs a few weeks ago. Wilson
was brought back to Denver at noon yes
terday by Officer Gross, and he spent last
night in the city jail On the train going
to the Springs in the morning he weakened
and told everything that he knew Of the
matter.
He confirmed the story that murderer
fEom the Ell Paso county jail was allowed
to help put tar and feathers on Colorado's
adjutant general.
Every detail of the tar and feathers af-
fair is now in possession of the Denver Off
GERS. and however high a position the Of
lenders may hold they win ultimately be
Drought TO justice. Wilson's confession
clearly illustrates one point.
Tnrsney's Political Enemies.
That is that the crime was committed by
that the criminals were not the outcasts
Of the Bull Hill army, but men Of higher
standing in the community.
According to Wilson's story. the men en-
gagged in the disgraceful enterprise were
Sheriff Bowers, his deputy sheriff, Bob
Mullen, Capt. Saxton of troop A, Sergt
Wm Bancroft Of troop A, Deputy Sheriff
man Crumley. Walter Crumley. Shorty"
Allen, Smith Shellenberger and perhaps one
or two others, including woman.
The police now have three confessions
the Ell Paso county Jail. who is being held
as witness to murder committed In
Cripple Creek. These men will all be
brought before the grand jury now sitting
The conspiracy was a germ born at Gill
lette, and which continued to grow until
Tarsney was found unguarded in the Alamo
Hotel.
The deputy sheriff at Divide heard the
false report from Denver that Tarsney had
uttered the remark: II hope that every man
in Bowers army will be shipped home in
a coffin" .-....
That night the militia arrived at Gillette
and camped near the deputies. Wilson,
Allen and others, backed up by Bob Null
len and members of the company from the
Ell Paso Club. arranged a scheme to kid
nap Tarsney on the spot, but for some
reason this was abandoned.
On the day that Tarsney appeared at
Colorado Springs for the purpose of assist
ing in the defense Of the Bull Hill pris-
formed. 1t was freely discussed In the
county Jail and the sheriffs Office. and
when once 1t received official support IT
progressed.
The Plot. "'.''
A signal was agreed upon. 1t was an
nounced also most publicly that all who
desired to take part in the plot should
meet in a saloon or TETON street and enter
with the right hand stuck In the vest.
According to Wilson's story, Sheriff Bow
ers furnished to Deputy Sheriff Quacken-
boss tar. and Mrs Quackenboss prepared
the feathers ripping open a large pillow
Bowers, in addition, ordered the release of
the Cripple Creek murderer. and ordered
him to follow Deputy Sheriffs Allen and
Shellenberger.
Seisure of Tarsney.
Deputy Sheriff Bob Mullen hired the
hack from the two Crumleys, and ordered
them to drive to the Alamo Hotel He
paid them in advance Wilson headed the
party which went to the Alamo Hotel, and
he confessed that he was the man who
roked the gun in Tarsneys face as he came
down to the office to answer the telephone.
Bancroft, Allen and Smith were the other
en- in the hotel office. Saxton, Bob Null
len and the others waited outside. Wilson
described the route out to the open prairie
and said that the most horrible threats
ere made against Tarsney. He was told
that he was being driven to a place of ex-
ecution, where he would be tortured to
death.
His captors gleefully told him they would
first quarter him and then chop off his
head.
Tarsney asked for his life, as any man
would do under the circumstances. On ar
riving at the place of torture, Tarsney was
dragged from the hack by Allen, Bancroft
and Wilson and told to strip. When he
was informed that his life would be spared
he shook hands with his prosecutors and
thanked them. -.-.-.-.
Wilson said that he got tar on his hand
that night, and SO did Saxton, Bancroft
Allen and the others. The general was left
alone, nearly crazy, to wander over the
fields.
The story Confirmed. 8'
Chief Of Police Armstrong confirms the
report that Wilson has made a full con-
fession, as related in the News. Wilson
is young man, the son of a Missouri
farmer, at whose house he was captured
last week. He was a deputy sheriff at
Colorado Springs. where he resided for
several years. He left the city q day or
two after the outrage on the adjutant gen.
eral Gen. Tarsney has identified him as
the man who poked gun in his face at
the Alamo Hotel, who daubed on the tar
ard who led him from the scene of the out
rage after the other conspirators departed.
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