The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-09-13
witness and the latter had tested it,


They had heavy packs on the horses
groceries, etc. The packs kept COM
ing on and spilling grain They got
lost arr wandered around in the TIM
Der. Finally they left the pack and
went Oh, deciding to came back for it
after they had found the way oul-.
That was the only object in leaving
the pack. They got in sight of the
camp not far from sun up. Were walk
ing their horses. Had no intention of
harming the occupanas-no thought of
trouble.
Their guns were put away, not car
ried in their hands. Was about 200
yards from the camp when they saw
it. Wall and Warner were anead.
Wallis horse was trotting, Warmers
Looping. Witness horse was walking
Wall said we are juSr IN time FOR
breakfast, after Warner had pointed
out the camp. Heard two shots ciose
together; smoke came from near the
fire by Melton's tent Warmers horse
pitched and fell. Warner fell or jump
ed off.
SHOOTING WAS LIVELY
from that on. Warner ran for a tree.
Wall was called to the same tree by
Warner Witness stayed where he
was. Could hear talking but not the
words said. Shooting was very rapid.
After shooting stopped he walked down.
Coleman saw Swift and had called out
to Warner that is Bob Swift" Swift
had said Don't you go down there
Coleman. They will shoot you" Swift
tore down the tent as Warner told
him 10.
They waited on the men as best they
could. None of chem stated in his
presence who fired the frs shoi he
heard witness state to Warner, II don't
blame you Warner. You've been a man.
That coward" At this point Mr.. Cole
man expressed himself as peang very
weak and wanted a rest Mr.. Evans
consented and
MRS. COLEMAN
was put on. Lives in Salt Lake
Knows John w. Burton and remem-
bered a talk had with her husband
about business enterprise. Thought
it was in Feb. Saw Mr.. Swift there
too but did not know him. Knew
of a Mr.. Mcconnell of Vernal being
there about that time.
Mr.. Evans consented to let another
defendant be pat on so as to give Mr..
Coleman the rest needed.
William Wall, aged 20, said his home
is in Denver was born in Kansas.
His parents died when he was five
years of age and he was sent to Illi-
nois, where he lived for fourteen years.
Then went to Denver. Went to Vernal
first about two years ago and again
last November. Got acquainted with
Warner in December. Did not know
him very we'll until that winter Had
made several prospecting trips with
him. The last was to Goslin mountain.
Sheriff Pope was with them Got back
about May 2. May they were intend
ing 10 go back but Mr. Warner in
formed him of change in plans. There
go and do the Melton party any harm.
He had no thought of trouble.
He told of the start from Priest 8
ranch, the journey up to the camp and
the losing the way in much the same
manner as did Mr.. Coleman. He ex-
planned the journey by means of the
map. They got to the camp about
sunrise. Wall had been riding ahead.
Warner saw the camp first, saying,
There is the camp" Witness said.
Yes, that's right, just in time for
breakfast" He explained how the guns
were carried. His gun was on the left
hand side of his horse, the butt in the
loop of a strap and the for.
ward end resting ON the horn of the
saddle. Warmers gun was in the scab-
bard. First he saw Swift then Dick
Staunton. Saw Staunton first on the
lett, then on the right of the tent.
I Next saw Dave Melton. Heard some
one say, stop, you -, throw up
your hands"
Witness threw himself off his horse
! dragging his gun with him. 1t went
off while he was doing this.
/ Melton fired the first shot at witness
Dick Stanton fired the next toward
Warrar. Both Warner and witness
! had heavy overcoats on. The shot
| fired by Wall was while he was getting
up. Melton fired another at him while
he was running toward the tree which
| Warner was also behind. Melton and
! Dick Stanton went into the tent and
/ fired out of the tent. The shooting had
/ been a complete surprise to him. He
knew Melton was in earnest when he
said. You s. of b throw up."
! The shooting lasted about a minute
+ Witness saw Bob Swift come up, hands
up. Coleman was coming up at this
time and said
HE'S ALL RIGHT,
let him come UP.
Warner ordered Swift 10 tear dowr
the tent, saying he wanted to see how
many people were in there. Swift com
piled. Warner said, What did yor
boys want to shoot at Us for this way
Staunton said, 81 don't blame you boys
at all. If l had known it was you il
would not have hapTened."
Swift rode ColeG1lans horse and Wal
his own, leaving about five minute:
after the shooting and going to Verna
] for doctor Got back about o'clock
+ Was waiting on Dick. Staunton mos
OF the time.
Marceilus Pope had asked Dick VIII
fired the first shot Dick had said
Ask our leader, pointing to Melton
Melton said, when asked Il don
blame those boys Warner and Wall
not at all.
THAT OLD GRAY-BEARDED
son of a bitch is the one to blame. Some
body give me gun, and I'll fight 1t GU
with him now"
witness went down to see about Civ
ing himself up. Saw the justice twic
about it. Did not know Teeter and de
MED ever saying in his or any othe
mans hearing that if Melton did no
let him alone he would get the Warne
gang and shoot him UP.
Upon resuming at 2 o'clock e. E
Coleman again took the stand. Davit
Evans conducted the cross exam4na
ton. Said he honestly thought Swif
had discovered a rich lead. He wante,
men to go with him for protection
when he got his camp outfit. He di
not think there would be trouble
he had men with him. He eXpecte
trouble in getting his camp if he wen
alone. He had hired Warner before h
sent the telegram to Burton, the on
telling of the armed men giving then
trouble. He did not think he coul