The herald., 1895-01-02
WORK OF NEBRASKA V|G|LAN TIES
a Convicted Dataulter Captured
at Midnight. -
Believed to Have Been Lynched by
Victims.
vsrDsrs Tired OF the Laws Delay
Wresk vsngsancs Upon Bsrrett
Scott OF Holt Comfy.


BY the HERALD's Leased Wine.
ST. LOUIS, Jan. IA special to the Republic
from ONeill, Neb., says:
Tue defaulting 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 He
was returning with his wife, bs by, hired
man and Miss Mcwharter from trip to rela-
tives about 13 miles from O'NeiBl when six
mashed men sprsng from the roadside,
where they had been concealed, and covering
the carriage with winchesters, ordered Scott
tosurrender. Scott seized the reins and at
tempted to drive over the men. The n. en- then
fired into the carriage, killing the horses and
shooting Scott in the neck and woundinl Miss
McWharter, though not seriously.
The first party was then Joined by a la. rger
force, which had been placed across the road
further on to intercept the carriage had 1t
escaped the first volley. Scott and Schmid, t,
the hired man, were taken from the vehicle,
b'indfolded and thrown into wagon and the
Ladies were told to go Today Schmidt re-
turned. He had been taken to a house in the
northwest part OF the county with scott.
Schmidt was released, with the injunction to
get out OF the county. It is believed that Scott
has been hanged, as the farmers of the county
are terribly incensed over his work.
THE DEFALcATIoN.
Scotts defalcation as treasurer of Holt
county, his flight to Mexico, his subsequent
tradition, his return in irons. incarceration,
Trial, conviction. sentence, appeal and release
on ponds two weeks ago have been told at
length from time to time since year ago last
August, when the discovery of the crIminality
was hrst made pub lie. SCOTS troubles began
In January, 1892, at the close of his rst term
when he was asked TO allow the commissioners
to see the cash that his,books showed to be in
his hands Scott did not have the money on
when the commissioners MADE their first visit.
Then they gave Scott ten days in which to
make the showing, and the money was secured
from omaha for that purpose.
When The borrowed mon-y was shipped out
The next day and the board learned of it and
that $75 was paid for the use of it, an investi
CANON was started and Scott was removed from
once 1t was ascertained by the commission
ers In Jure of that year. some time after the
beginning OF the litigation. thata number of
sureties on Scott's bonds were transferring
their property and he was notified that he
must secure additional bond. This he failed
70 do. When the board met again ii declared
the office vacant and appointed r. j. Hayes, a
Republican. to take the place in June.
scott refused to surrender and Hayes began
the ONCE, but the case went to the district
court, where it hung for a year awaiting the
1ecision Of the supreme court in the case,
definitely acted on until after Scott had gone
to Mexico. Judge Marshall of the Fremont
district was invited by Judge Kincad to pass
upon it, and he declared Scott removed from
offce, practically confirming the voluntary
abdication of the defaulter.
THE LAWS DELAYS.
After hesHolt County bank failed on June 10.
1892, Scott asserted there was about $40 900
OF the county's funds tied up there, but after
statements were made by the bank officials he
gradually modified the amount to $40, 600.
Th4 statements of the bank ex-
aminer and receiver were to the
erect that the sum but $4,000,
and of this amount $4,000 was deposited nv
Scott to his private account.-fAfter Scott had
been jailed at O'Neil, legal machinery was set
in motion to effect his release. Habeas corpus
proceedings failed. His bail was originally
fixed at Sis. 900, but was later raised by Judge
Kincaid to SIS. 900. This amount was asserted
to be excessive, but the court refused to
lower it.
Recourse to the supreme court gave no re-
lief and finally, after Scott had been nomi-
nally in jail for several months he was liber-
ted on bail His case was taken to Antelope
a. unity on a change OF venue, and the trial
81 September resulted in his conviction and
ent ence to five years Imprisonment. Pend
no n I appeal his bond was fixed at $50, 600
mis- e could not secure, and the matter was
AIKEN to the state supreme coFlrt, and that
nor1v 14s ,ided that the bond was excessive and
reduced 4 to $40 000 Scott secured the neees-
,arv bond. smen and was released upon hail.
md on his ! 'elease returned to Holt county.