The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-08-03
IN THE WILD WEST.
Mr.. John Sargent's Terrible Experi-
ence While on His Ranch.

From ln-Freatment-The Children Re
covered After Great Effort-The Tough
at Jackson's Hole.
The papers some time ago stated that
news had been received to the effect that
Mr.. John Sargent of Machias had been
lynched by parties in Wyoming and that
his uncle, Mr. Charles Sargent of this
city had gone West to obtain the children.
Mr.. Charles Sargent has just returned
from the West and yesterday he told the
story of his trip to PRESS reporter.
Mr.. Sargent said that about seventeen
years ago his nephew John went West to
Cheyenne where he had good position.
Later he met Mr.. Robert Ray Hamilton
a man whose name is not unfamiliar to
newspaper readers-who had large
property. Mr.. Sargent also had some
money and the two decided to establish a
large cattle ranch at the foot of the Teton
mountains, in Wyoming, where there is
big game. This ranch was intended
to be q resort for gentlemen sportsmen
who could enjoy the big elk, bear, and
other good shooting. Some years ago, Mr.
Hamilton died. He was crossing the
Snake river on horse lack when the
horse was entangled in the eel.grass, the
saddle turned, and Hamilton was
drowned. A coroner's jury investigated
the case and returned verdict of acct
dental death by drowning. The New
York Sun not satisfied with the verdict
sent out man to investigate the matter
and latter careful examination, he reached
the same conclusion.
Last winter, or just before winter
usually sets in. Mrs. Sargent became
quite ill. Drs. Wood and Stevens, two
physicians of that part of the country
gave their professional opinions as to
what was the trouble, and advised that
she be taken East. But winter set in
much earlier than is customary and .such
a winter followed, aaMr. Sargent Gays,
with such copious snow fall, that it was
impossible to get East. But the ranch
was provided with all the comforts that
could have been obtained almost any
where and here Mr. John Sargent, his
wife, and their three children remained.
The ranch is located in a delightful
country for most of the year and it's
place which became known to the coun-
try year ago through talk of Indian de-
predations. Mr.. Sargent says that this
Jackson's Hole is one of the toughest
| places on the continent. The people are
| amenable to no law except the laws they
frame Tor themselves. 1t is situated in q
basin, hence the name Jackson's Hole
Some of the people in the immediate 10.
cality are good, square citizens but the
great majority are of the toughest sort.
One day, party of these toughs from
Jackson's Hole rode up to the ranch
armed to the teeth, headed by cold
blooded villain, man who exercised
great influence in that locality. This
man said the people were not satisfied at
the way things were g DING on and they
W ere going to take away Mrs. Sargent
and the children, and put her under
treatment and that If he, Mr.. Sargent,
didn't keep out of the way he knew what
he would get. They took Mrs. Sargent
with them, and all the children but one,
whom they left with the father, and
carried them to Jackson's Hole, where a
young physician was called in who was
compelled to give Mrs. Sargent medicines
so that premature birth resulted. After
the birth she seemed better but in few
day died, the result, Mr.. Sargent says, of
blood poisoning. 1t was FIVE days after
his wife's death before Mr.. Sargent was
able to learn of it, He then managed to
get away and came east and his nephew
Charles agreed to go back with him and
try and get the children aud the property
The reason given on the other side for
the treatment of Mr.. Sargent was UNDER
stood to be this, that he was suspected of
having killed Hamilton and poisoned
Mrs. Sargent. But it is said that at the
| time of the death Of Hamilton, Sargent
was $50 miles away, at Wilton, wyoming.
Letters were written to the man who
had headed the gang which took away
Mrs. Sargent from her home before she
died, asking him to restore the children.
He wrote back that he would carry the
children to Mammoth Hot Springs and
restore them there, or anywhere else that
arrangements were made. Threats had
been thrown out, as was learned, that if
Mr.. John Sargent came to that country
he would be arrested. In answer letters
were written to the sheriff, that he, Mr.
Sargent, would be at Mammoth Hot
Springs on certain day and if he had
anything against him to produce it,
When they reached the Springs no one APP
peared to modest them or to make any
charge. Finding that letters written to
the leader of the gang we have spoken of
were answered very enthusiastically Mr.
Charles Sargent left his nephew behind,
hired team, and went long distance,
to see the man and get the children if
possible. 1t was hard journey for there
is but one road that leads to Jackson's
Hole and Ethat has never been graded
Upon arrival he was received by the man
with the greatest GOODNESS. He was
ushered into room, which he was to oc-