The Anaconda standard., 1895-01-02
THE LAW WAS TOOSLOW
N.bTaSkl Furnishes Report Of a S8Hsl-
tillal LYlChilg.
FARMERS DO THE CRUEL JOB
Like Wild Beasts They Pounced
Upon Defaultlng Treasurer
scott and Made Short
Work OF Him.

ST. LOUIS, Mo-, Jan. IA special TO tho
Republic from O'Neill, Neb.. says: The
defaulting treasurer of Holt county. Bar
ret. scott, Is supposed to have been
hanged by mob last night. He was cap
tured about midnight in a lonely part OF
the county. He was returning with his
wife, his baby. hired man named John
Schmitd and = Miss McWharter from n
trip to relatives about Is miles from
Mcneil when SIX masked men sprang
from the roadside, where they had been
concealed, and, covering the carriage
with WInchesters. ordered Scott to sur
render. Scott seized the reins and at
tempted TO drive over the men. The
masked men then tired into the carriage.
killing the horses and shooting Scott IN
the neck and wounding Miss McWharter.
though not seriously.
The first party was then Joined by .
larger force, which had been placed across
the road further on To intercept the car
riage had 1t escaped the first volley.
Scott and Schmidt were taken from the
vehicle, blindfoldcd and thrown into q
wagon and the ladies we're told 20 90 on.
To-day Schmidt returned. He had been
taken to n house in the northwest part Of
the county with Scott. Schmidt was re-
leased, with the injunction to get out of
the county. IL is believed that Scott has
been hanged, as the farmers of the county
are terribly incensed over his work.
Scott's defalcation as treasurer OF Holt
county, his Fl ght to Mexico. his subse-
quent arrest. tho strong fight made
against his extradition, his return IN
irons. his incarceration in jail, his convic-
ton, his sentence, appeal and release on
bonds two weeks ago nave been told al
length from time to time since a year ago
last August, wnen the discovery of his
criminality was first made public.
Scott's troubles began in January, lS92,
at the close of his first term, when he was
asked to allow the com missiouers TO sec
the cash that his books showed to be in
his hands. Scott did not have tho money
on hand, there being but S7,34S IN tho
vault when the commissioners made their
first visit They then gave Scott 10 days
in which to make the showing, and the
money was secured from Omaha for that
purpose. Then the borrowed money was
shipped out the next day and tho
board learned of it, and they
heard that S75 were paid for the
use of il. An investigation was started
and Scott was removed from office. IL
was asccrtained by the commissioners in
June OF tnat year. some Time alter khc De-
ginning of litigation. that a number of tho
surcties on Scott's bonds were transfer
ing their property, and h was notified
that he must secure additional bonds.
This 40 failed TO do.
When the board met again il declared
the Office vacant and appointed Il. j.
Hayes, republican, to take the place in
June, 1892. Scott refused TO surrender
aud Hayes began mandamus proceedings
to get possession of the office, but tho
case went to the district court, where it
was hung up for n year, and il was not
definitely acted on until after Scott had
gone to Mexico.
After Scott had been jailed at O'Neill.
legal machinery was set in motion 10 ef-
feet his release. Habeas corpus proceed
ings failed. His bail was originally fixed
at SlS 900, but later raised to S7j,00).
Finally, after Scott had been nomnally
in Jail for several months he was liberated
on bail. His case was taken to Antelope
county on n change of venue and the TT al
last September resulted in his conviction
and sentence TO five years in the penitec-
tiary. Pending an appeal his bond was
fixed at $4,000. In day or two Scott Sc
cured tho necessary bondsmen and was
released on bail. Upon his release lie re-
turned to Holt county.