The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-03-07

S. Hoy of Routt county is practically
assured. Although Governor Adams
has not openly announced the fact, he
admits that steps are being taken by
the state government to apprehend the
murderer of Hoy, and, if possible, to
capture the whole party of desperadoes
known as the Hole-int he-Wan gang.
Johnson, a member of this gang. on
Wednesday last shot and killed Hoy
and then made his escape. The killing
occurred at Powder Springs, which has
for several months been the rendezvous
of the gang Their camp has been sit
uated about six miles from the line IN
Wyoming and about 20 miles from the
intersection of the Wyoming, Colorado
and Utah lines.
1t is limited that Governor Adams is
working in conjunction with the COVER
nors of wyoming and Utah. Judging
from the secrecy that is being main
tanned, they have determined to rid
the region inhabited by this gang once
for all. 1t is TO the advantage of all
three of. the states. Cattle have been
stolen and various atrocities committed.
The HEADQUARTERS of the gang has been
located in such a manner that it is pos
sible, within two or three hours after
deed has been committed, to be in a
different state than the one where the
crime occurred.
1t is a we'll known fact that cattle
owners in the corners of the three
states have been gradually selling out
their interests and moving away. The
killing of Hoy by the gang of thieves
was the crowning stroke of holiness
Of this gang, and it has brought the
situation home to the governors of the
states in which il has operated. 1t is
rumored that correspondence has al
ready passed between them and they
have decided to act.
Governor Adams was yesterday asked
for particulars concerning the matter.
Il viii not talk about that subject"
said he. 1.-THE less it is brought before
the public at present. the better. My
silence does not imply that I wish the
killing to be hushed up, but, on the
contrary, 1 will say that certain
agencies are not idle"
GREAT SECRECY URGED.
Governor Adams admitted that it
needed secrecy to enable certain doings
already in operation to turn out sue
talk. He said he was satisfied that
things were in a serious state in Routt
county and vicinity.
State Auditor John W. Lowell, who
owns large herds of cattle in Routt
county, which are now feeding less
than 100 miles from Powder Springs,
the place where the robber gang has
been operating lately, announces that
in his opinion the Hole-in-the-Wall
gang should be exterminated at once.
Both the Snake river and the Bear
river separate Auditor Lowelrs cattle
from the gangs country, so he fears
little from them. Many of the settlers,
though, who are near the northern
boundary of the state, are living in
fear of the desperadoes, however.
L know it to be a fact" said Mr..
Lowell. that last fall, when the gang
arrived from the Hole-in-t the Wall
country and made their headquarters
near the Colorado line, large number
of cattlemen in Browns Park, a strip
of country in the extreme corner of the
state, sold their cattle interests and
moved away. They did this rather
gang"
Mr. Lowell said the crowd of cattle
thieves and desperadoes had gotten
stronger hold in the section where they
are now located than is generally sup
posed. There are several settlers there
who have been aiding the gang secret
". 1T is a well known fact that there
are certain parties who own ranches in
Routt county who have not only winked
at the depreda atoms of the outlaws. but
have even aided the outfit" said the
auditor. Whether this has been done
fear or for the purpose of
sharing spOils, cannot say"
It is Mr. Lowelrs opinion that if
some other agency is not soon put to
work to eXterminate the gang, the set
tiers of Routt county and the nearby
precincts of Wyoming and Utah will
band together and make a raid