Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1895-08-09
CAPTURE OF SYMES.
Murderer of Constable ConIee in
Jail at Missoula.
WAS WORKING ON A RANCH
His Employer Summoned n Posse, bu,
Was Compelled to Hit Him
With n Club.

4:30 o'clock Sheriff Mclaughlin and |
Deputies Curran. Corbett and Pickette |
came into Missouia from Lo 10 bring
ing with them A. ]. Symes. who is
wanted in Adams county, Wash, for
the murder of Lew Conlee, constable,
June "a. of this year. and for whose ar
rest large rewards have been offered
Symes has for the past three weeks
been working on the ranch of Dave Nc
Clay. about IA miles from Mlssoula,
and for the past week has been herding
sheep for Mr.. McClay on Harvey creek,
about two and half miles from the
ranch, across the Bitter Root river.
While coming to Missoula yesterday
Mr.. McClay saw at Lo Lo the notices
of reward for the arrest of Symes, to
which was attached his photograph,
and Immediately recognized 1t as his
shepherd, who had given his name as
Frank Davis. The officers at Missoula
were at once notified, and Mr.. McClay
was appointed as deputy sheriff
When the sheriff reached Mr.. McClays
ranch this morning Symes had brought
the sheep down to the river to water,
but was in rather thick timber and it
was decided unwise to attempt to make
| the arrest, so Mr.. McClay went across
| the river where Symes was and tried
| tc induce him to go to the house and
| get team to do some hauling, but
Symes was suspicious and refused to
| go, and as he was armed to the teeth
Mr.. McClay did not try to enforce
obedience, but picked up a piece of
scantling that was lying near at hand
and sitting down began to white upon
| it.
Presently Symes turned away. Mr.
| McClay jumped up suddenly and struck
him across the head with the scantling,
knocking him down, and disarmed him
before he could make any resistance.
| He insists that his name Is Frank Da-
Wis, but on his way to Missoula, when
ever the sheriff addressed him as
Symes he always replied, and the Off
GERS are sure that they have captured
the right man. The sheriff of Adams
county, Wash, has been notified Of the
arrest and Is expected in Missoula to-
morrow evening.
Missoula, Mont. Aug. Sat "A late
hour tonight Symes admitted that ht
was the man wanted for the murder OF
Conlee. He is a tall, slender man about
26 years of age, with a short sandy
beard, which he has grown since the
murder was committed. He was lying
on his couch and was too weak to tall
at great length. He does not deny kill
ing Conlee, but says he did II in self
defense
| His story is that he took up som,
stray hogs which came to his ranch il
June. The owner claimed them, but h,
refused to surrender them until paiC
. for taking them up. He states that {
, conspiracy was formed by Constable
Conlee and several others, with whom
, Symes had trouble at various times, t.
, have him arrested for larceny. Conle
made the arrest and took a 44-calibe
gun from Symes. but overlooked a SS
caliber gun which was concealed in
shot pocket.
Going down the road" said Symes
"Conlee abused me, called me har,
names and said: Now, c. d yor
I've got you where I want you.' AT tn
same time he stuck a gun in my face
l had good horse. and said: Pull i
| you want to- Why don't you pull
causing my horse to rear at the sam
time. He pulled and missed me. The
/ got my gun and said: Now old mar
It's my turn to pump and | began t
l. pump, and l kept pumpin' 1t into hir
e till he fell.
q Yes, l guess he died right away II
q couldn't live long after l got done wit
/, him.
= A CLEAN of satisfaction shone in tn
n prisoners face as he told the story. Hi
y eyes fairly glittered as he related ho'
$ he had pumped lead into the cor
j. stable. II was to have been marie
Is that same week." he added in a regre
l. full tone, land had the license in m
IS pocket when killed him." Symes sal
+ he had no thought of McClay identif,
70 ing him. and considered himself reason
ably secure.