St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-01-02
MASKED MEN WITH GUNS
Capture Their Victim After
WOunding Him and a
Woman.
UNDOUBTEDLY WAS HANGED
His Fate Shrouded in Myseepy
--Wife Witnessed the
Abduction.

O'NEILL, Neb., Jan. 1.-The default
ing treasurer of Holt county, Barrett
Scott, is supposed to have been hanged
by mob last night. He was captured
about midnight in lonely part OF the
county, north of this city. He was re-
turning with his wife, baby, hired man
named John Schmidt and a Miss Nc
Wharter from a trip to relatives about
thirteen miles from O'Neill, when six
masked men sprang from the roadside,
where they had been concealed, and,
covering the carriage with WinchesterS,
ordered Scott to surrender. Scott seized
the reins and attempted to drive over
the men. The masked men then fired
into the carriage, killing the horses and
shooting Scott in the neck and wound
ing Miss McWharter, though not seri-
ously. The first party was then joined
by larger force, which had been placed
across the road further on to intercept
the carriage had it escaped the first
volley.
Scott and Schmidt were taken from
the vehicle, blindfolded and thrown
into wagon, and the ladies were told to
90 on. Today Schmidt returned, He
had been taken to sod house in the
northwest part of the country with
Scott. Schmidt was released with the
injunction to get out of the country. 1t
is believed that Scott
Has Been Hanged,
as the farmers OF the county are terribly
incensed over his work. Scott's de-
falcation as county treasurer of Holt
county, his flight to Mexico, his
subsequent arrest, the strong fight
made against his eXtradition. his
return in irons, Incarceration.
trial. conviction, sentence. appeal
and release on bonds two
weeks ago. have been told at length
from time to time since year ago last
August, when the discovery of his
criminality was first made public.
Scott's troubles began in January,
1892, at the close of his first
term, when he was asked TO all
low the commissioners to see the
cash that his books showed to be ID his
hands. Scott did not have the money
on hand, there being but $7,34S in the
vault when the commissioners made
their first visit. They then gave Scott
ten days in which to make the showing,
and money was secured from Omaha
for that purpose.
When the borrowed money was
shipped out the next day, and the board
learned OF it, and SIS was paid for the
use of it, an investigation was
started and Scott was removed FROM of
flee. 1t was ascertained by the
commissioners in June of that year,
some time after the begin ming of litiga-
ton. that number Of the sureties on
Seott's bond were transferring their
property, and he was notified that he
must secure additional bonds. This he
failed to dc. When the board met
again it
Declared the Office Vacant
and appointed R. j. Hayes, Republi-
can, to take the place III June, 1892
Scott refused to surrender and Hayes
began mandamus proceedings to get
possession of the Office, but the case
went 10 the district court, where it WAS
hung up for year, awaiting the decis-
ion of the supreme court in the case
started few months before, and it was
not definitely acted on until after Scott
had gone to Mexico.
Judge Marshall, of the Fremont dis
trict. was invited by Judge Kincaid to
pass upon it, and he declared Scott re-
moved from office, practically confirm :
ing the voluntary abdIcation of the de-
faulter. When the Holt County bank
failed on June 2, 1892, Scott asserted
that there was about $4,000 Of
the county funds tied up there,
but after statements were made by the
bank officials, be gradually modified the
amount to 10000. The statements of
the bank examiner and receiver were to
the effect that the sum was but Sl4. .0eg,
and OF this amount $1,000 was deposited
by Scott to his private account. After
Scott had been jailed at 0'NeiiI
legal machinery was set IN motion
to effect his release. Habeas corpus
proceedings failed. His bail was
originally fixed at 900, but was later
raised by Judge Kincald to S75, ,O0g
This amount was asserted to be excess
i've, but the court refused to lower it.
Recourse to the supreme court
gave no relief. and, finally, after
Scott had been nomnally in jail fer
several months, be was Hberates.
on bail. His case was taken to Ante.
lope countyon on change of venue, an
the trial last September resulted in his
conviction and sentence to five years
Imprisonment. Pending an appeal,
his bond was fixed at $4,000
THIS he could not secure and the matter
was taken to the state supreme court
On Dec. 6 that body decided that the
bond was excessive and reduced the
amount from $4,000 to $4,000. In a
day or two Scott secured the necessary
bondsmen and was released on bail.
Upon his release Scott returned TO Holt
county.
No Stage for Fraak James.