The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-05-03
SHOT BY A POSSE
Will Eaton Killed at Marshall While
Running From Officers.
THE TARGET OF FIVE GUNS
A Prominent Young Man Picks Up n lie
coy Letter Laid to Catch n
Biackmsiier.

>
family, was shot and Instantly killed by
posse of officers who were lying in
wait for an alleged blackmailer. While
the eN idence 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 5000 was placed in an
envelop near the residence at O'Clock
In the evening the house would be de-
stroyed. The letter follows
"MRs. BRowN-You are herein re.
quested by parties unknown to you to
deliver to said parties the sum of 5000
In paper money. We are desperate and
determined men and we make this de
positively will have 1t at any cost. You
are one of the wealthlest persons of this
town and are able to stand IL. Should
you refuse to give us this money 1t will
cost you your property. On the other
hand, II you grant this request you need
have no canse to be afraid of our ever
troubling you again. This is no idle
threat, for we mean just what we say,
and are prepared to do what we say.
This amount you will never miss, but 1t
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 1t 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-
gcncy. This is warning, and the last
we will give the money must be ready.
Place 1t 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 O'Clock and
1t 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-
lions as to where the envelop should be
placed on a 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 1t.
At the appointed time Sherlff 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 20.
The of1icer cried Halt but the man
did not halt. He started TO run, and
had gone but few feet when five shots
rang out simultaneously as of one gun.
Tho ontravs fnpnd NNiu =,
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
good reputation. When tine report be-
came noised about that he was shot the
citizens denounced the action of the
officers as hasty and unnecessary. II
was hard to believe that young man
of his reputation would have been in
such scheme, and his friends firmly
believe that he was either led into IL bv
accomplices or hired 10 do the work.
The statement of the officers makes It
appear that the attempt was made bv
at least two people. Marshal Hedwicl, |
stated that the first man was evidently |
an accomplish on account of his be- /
havior. when the shots were fired.v
said Hedwick, al started toward him
or rather he started toward me. / sun /
posed 1t was tramp and caught him
by the arm. The wounded man said
MY God, Willard, is that your | did
not intend to murder the poor widow. |
must have been crazy He said some
thing about some other person which |
did not hear, and when he began to
stagger did not know who it was AT
that time. If | had had a thousand
guesses Eaton would have been the last
l would have mentioned"
1t was a dark place where the shoot.
Ing occurred and it was impossible IN
see plainly. The fatal shot struclt
Eaton In the breast, another in the hin
nd his left hand was torn by shot
from pistol. Marshal Hedwick did
not shoot. The boy had left a LADY to
whom he was engaged only a few mo-
ments before the shooting. He could
nave had but time enough to walk to his
death.
The coroner held an inquest today on
me oody OF Eaton. The story of the