The San Francisco call., 1896-06-07
FEUD OF BIG
SANDY VALLEY,
Differences That Led to the
Shooting of Lee
Blasingame.
WAS IN SELF-DEFENSE.
Corlew Beaten by the Sheepmen
at the Threshold of His
Home.
THE VICTIM STYLED A BULLY
Mountaineers Declare That He Has
Long Been Trampling Upon
Their Rights.

FRESNO, CAL, June 6. = W. CIoudslv
Corlew, who shot and wounded Lee
Blasingame, in Big Sandy Valley, was
brought to the County Jail to-day by
Deputy Sheriff Bedford and Deputy Con-
stable Henry. The officers left last night
for the scene of the shooting, but at Senti-
mel, about halfway to Big Sandy, they
met Corlew, who was on his way to Fresno
to give himself up. Corlew was accom-
panied by his brother, Cliff Corlew, and his
father-in-law, Thomas Hall.
When seen at the jail by CALL CORE
spondent, Corlew refused to make state
ment. He said, however, that he did not
consider that he had done anything wrong
From his brother, Clifford Corlew, his story
of the shooting was obtained.
Blasingame's sheep passed through the
mountains a few days ago, being driven
to Summit to Craze during the summer.
The sheep were allowed by herders to feed
upon the Bald Hill Meadow on Pine
Ridge, about ten miles above Big Sandy.
This meadow is owned by Corlew Broth
ers. Cliff CorIew was at the meadow at
the time and he fired charge of shot into
the band and killed a number of sheep.
He told the herders to notify Blasingame
that this was the manner in which he in
tended to keep the sheep off his pasture
and that it was the only way in which he
could do so.
About two years ago Cloud Corlew shot
into band OF Blasingame's sheep at the
same place.
The herders told BlasingaIne of the
shooting of his sheep by Cliff Corlew.
Blasingame Immediately came down the
mountain on private trail OF the Corlew
brothers. from their meadow to their home
in Big Sandy. lie arrived at Cloud Cor
LEWIS honse first, and was evidently seek
ing trouble. He began a TRADE and Cor
lew replied spiritedly. Blasingame then
dismounted from his horse and struck
Corlew.
Blasingame is big man and scientific
boxer. Corlew is small o: stature and was
at the mercy of Blasingame, whose anger
was aroused to a hign pitch. Blasingame
had a six-shooter hanging from his belt,
while his opponent was unarmed.
Corlew claims that he did not offer any
resistance to Blasingame, and tried only
to escape into his house. But Blasingame
got between him and the house and he
had to take considerable punishment, of
which several abraslons on his face are
evidence. Finally Corlew succeeded in
escaping and ran into mis- house.
Blasingame mounted his horse and rode
away. When he was about 100 yards
distant Corlew came out of the house with
a shotgun and fired at the sheepman. He
afterward dispatched two men to see if
BIasingame was hurt, but they returned,
saying that they could not find him.
Blasingame must have ridden some dis
tance before his horse gave out. The
sheepman did not return the fire with his
pistol when fired upon. He got away as
rapidly as possible, evidently fearing the
second barrel of the shotgun.
Residents of the mountains all side with
Corlew. The prisoner can easily procure
almost any amount of bail. The people of
the mountains say that Blasingame has
imposed upon them for many years, act
ing the part OF bully. He has the repu-
tation of a fighter.
The shooting was in no way CO injected
with the Heath case, as first surmised.