The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1895-01-26
George Ref Killed by Fellow
Convict.
HE TRIED TO FElGN INSANITY
Deliberately Picked On an AK. Walked
to His Victim ana Struck Him
Several Blows.

Walla Walla, Jan. 21.-The late TRACE
dy of Warden Coblentz is still fresh in
the minds of the general public yet, but
the penitentiary has another crime to
add to it's sensational career.
At IL o'clock this morning Fred Hoyt.
convict serving a 20-year sentence for
murder in the second degree, malicious
ly murdered George Ref. another con-
Wet, who was in for five years for grand
larceny. The news reached the city a
few minutes after the tragedy and
Coroner White, who resides at Dixie
was notified. The coroner arrived at
2:S0. and a coroner's jury was empan-
eled consisting of j. j. Lavaff, Charles
Berg, Elliott L. M. Lambert, D. w
Lamb and II. c. Gregg. Prosecuting
Attorney Ormsbee and Assistant Moses
O'Brien happened to be at the peniten-
tiary when the deed was committed,
and took official steps in the matter.
Directors Nye, McInroe and Berry re-
paired to the penitentiary to learn in
diligently of the murder.
The testimony showed that the con-
vcts were engaged in excavating some
pits in the brickyard adjoining the jute
MILL for machinery. These pits were
/
Ref met death was down to depth of
about three feet. Hoyt was working in
the pit about 40 feet away There was
an ak near by and he, seeing it, picked
it up and deliberately walked to the pit
where Ref was working. passed IL men
and, without warning, hit Ref blow
| which the evidence shows that he tried
| to throw off with his arm, as his arm
was broken and deep cut found in the
shoulder. Ref said, Don't kill me-"
and at that instant Hoyt hit again
with the weapon, twice in succession
striking Ref on the top and side of the
head with the blade Of the AK, either cut
of which would have caused instant
death. The men at work in the pit with
Ref. ran away. fearing the desperate
work of Hoyt
After accomplishing his awful deed.
Hoyt wiped the blood off the ak in the
dirt and, after walking away a few feet.
laid IL down and secluded himself in
shed near by and refused to Zine up"
with the men, who were at once ordered
to quit work and march to the prison
At the point of gun, Hoyt thought it
best to do as he was ordered. The body
Of Ref was taken to the penitentiary
hospital, where 1t was dressed.
HOYT FELT UGLY.
Overseer Tubb. who had charge of
Hoyt, said that he had acted mean all
morning and had refused to do his bid
ding Tubb says he has often had
trouble with Hoyt, that he considered
him desperate man and had thought
at times that he was insane.
Hoyt was brought into the room. He
tried to look wild and did succeed in
making it unpleasant for the jury while
he was in their presence. When he came
in he said God is the deliverer of all
evil" He sat down, rapping the chair
arms with his fingers. He attempted to
make the jury believe that he was in
sane, but before he could carry his pro-
gram through he was taken to his cell,
He was merely brought in to be identi-
fled by those witnessing the murder.
The jury returned a verdict which fast
ems the blame on Hoyt.
A HARDENED CRIMINAL.
Hoyt is serving a 20-year sentence for
murder in the second degree, having
been sent from Tacoma in May, 1890,
for the murder of Crosby, highly re-
spected young druggist about % years
of age. He was sent up with an accom-
plice named Stowe. Stowe got a new
trial and was acquitted. Hoyt served
term in the Oregon penitentiary, be-
ing released there in 1889. He is a
printer by trade and is SO years of age
Acting Warden Cameron says Hoyt
is hard case and he has had a great
deal of trouble with him. At one time
he attempted to escape by concealing
himself in a load of brick but was cap
tured by Ex-Sheriff MacFarland. Tools
have often been found on his person
He has no relatives in this country
Ref was also from Tacoma and was
serving 5-year sentence for grand
! larceny. He was AZ years of age and
cook by trade. He served in Arizona
as a soldier in the Twenty-third infan-
try. He was known as Chicken Char
ley in Tacoma, where he has a moth
er and sister. His conduct was good
and he worked in the kitchen for a
long time. This is the first time Hoyt
has had chance to get at Ref, who
had told that Hoyt had it in for him.
1t is said that Ref gave evidence
against Hoyt in his trial. Hoyt refused
to talk. The relatives of Ref have
been notified at Tacoma and an answer
is awaited as to the disposition of the
body.