The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-19
ARREST THE SHERIFF.
Indian Police Capture Sheriff
Mullins of Fender, Neb.
He Was Ordered Not to Allow
Settlers Elected.
REDS DID so ANYHOW.
He Went to Arrest Them and
They Took Him.
REDS DID so ANYHOW.

OMAHA, Neb., April ia special to
the Bee from Pender, Neb., says: A
new phase of the trouble on the reser-
walton developed yesterday when Sher-
iff Mullins was captured by In
dian police with drawn revol-
vers. The federal court ordered
all evictions OF settlers on &C
count of the difference between
the Indian agent and the Flournoy
Land Co. to be let rest until rehear-
ing could be had April %. The Indian
police, however, have continued to
eject settlers from the reservation.
The sheriff of this county secured a
posse, intending to surprise the In
dams as they were ejecting settlers
and arrest them. Yesterday morning
he left for the reservation alone and at
noon news of his arrest was received.
There are conflicting rumors re-
garding the manner in which the
sheriff was arrested by the Indian
police. One rumor is to the effect
that they read a warrant to him
which had been issued several days ago
by United States Commissioner Spencer
at Dakota City, and which the Indian
police have since been carrying around
awaiting chance to catch him on the
reservation, while another rumor says
when the sheriff arrived at Waterman's
place. the man whom the police were
trying to dispossess of his land, and
attempted to read the warrant for
their arrest, three or four of the Indi-
ans seized the sheriff and handcuffed
him. while others stood around with
drawn revolvers as a warning for him
/
seems to be the most authentic, and is
generally accepted as reliable. While a
good many were inclined to censure
the sheriff for attempting the arrest
alone, it is now believed that he acted
wisely, for it is thought had posse of
men went there would probably have
been several lives lost, and the sheriff
thought, by going alone, the Indians
would submit to arrest. Their action
this morning, however confirms the
story set af1oat some time ago, that
Beck had instructed his police to re-
sist arrest by civil authority.
A later dispatch said that the sheriff
returned at 10 o'clock. He was re-
leased on bail by justice of the peace.
He at once secured a posse of six men
and left for the reservation.
SAN Francisco, April 19.-Theodore
Durant was very cheerful yesterday
morning and greeted everyone with
whom he came in contact with a smile
and a pleasant word. The change in
the conduct of the accused man is
proba bly, caused by the belief that the
police have exhausted every mine of
information against him. The search
ing of the church is finished and no
further evidence has been brought to
light.
Police Surgeon Somers visited him
yesterday morning to study his actions,
in anticipation of a plea of insanity
when the case is brought to trial DR..
Somers says that Durant shows no
signs of an unbalanced mind; in fact,
he spoke with intelligence on every
subject that was brought up.
Another witness has come forward
who thinks he saw Durant and Miss
Williams or couple very much resem-
bling them at about 11:15 o'clock Fri
day night. AS he passed them he heard
the young lady laugh and the young
man was smiling. He did not observe
their actions afterwards, but says they
were walking toward the church. The
description TALES exactly with the
dead girl and Durant, and if they were
the persons, his testimony will go to
prove that the girl was not dead early
in the evening, as has been supposed.
Chief Crowley is still hard at work
trying to strengthen the evidence
against Durant. He says that his men
have so far obtained no clews which
would lead one to believe that the muir
derer had an accomplish. The chief
had conference with the detectives
engaged in the case and not one of
them has found anything to prove that
Durant is not the guilty man.
OGen. Dickinson, Durant's attorne Y,
called on Durant yesterday and the
two held an animated conversation,
which lasted for some time. At the
conclusion of the conference Gen. Dick
inson informed several persons that
his client was about to make a state
ment which was not to be made pub
lie at present, and requested the police
to see that Durant was not disturbed.
Durant worked the whole afternoon
on the document and denied himself to
all newspaper men and friends.
A slight reaction in public opinion
has set in in favor Of Durant, brought
about, 10 doubt, by the testimony of
those who witnessed his cool actions
after the discovery of the body. On
the other hand, the circumstantia1e evil
dence against Durant is SO strong that
something else will have to be done to
remove from the minds of many people
the impression that he is the guilty
man.
The inquest yesterday did not go on,
but will be resumed to-day.