Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1898-02-11
A sHEEPHERDER SHOT.
w. 3. Ewing In Trouble Again.
Heppner Times Feb. Sd.

hepphef lltnSes fcus oI.
w. B. Ewing, rancher, who lives
near Douglas, in this county, is in the
county jail, at this place, awaiting pre-
liminary examination on a charge of
having shot sheepherder by the name
Of Jim Fitz, who, for the past five years,
has been herding Q. A. Rhea's sheep in
the northern part OF Morrow county.
So far, we have been able to get but one
side Of the affair, which, as it comes to
us, is substantially as follows: Ewing
claims that Fitz had, on one or two oc-
casions, herded his sheep on Ewing's
decided land, and when he drove his
sheep onto the land again Wednesday
afternoon, Ewing took the two Leyde
boys along with him with the intention
of taking the sheep away from the her
der and holding them until Mr.. Rhea
had paid the damages which they had
done to his ranch. When they began to
drive the sheep the herder came run
ming down the hill with 5-foot club,
and according to Mr.. Ewing's story,
tried to assault him. After being tol-
lowed and hit on the wrist with the
club, Ewing shot for Fitz's leg, but hit
him in the right side, between the first
and second ribs. He shot twice, but on
iy one ball took effect. Fits then turned
around and walked to his cabin, mile
distant, and OFT Summers telephoned
for Sheriff Matlock. Mstlock being out
of town, warrant was issued by Justice
Richardson, and special Constable Cam
non went to serve the same on Ewing,
whom he met near Lexington coming
to Heppner. Ewing telephoned to Ar
hngton for Attorney S. A d. Gurley,
who arrived on this mornings train and
the examination viii take place as soon
as Dist. Attorney Bean can come over
from Pendleton. Ewing has wife and
four children, and Fitz is a single man
about So wears of age and native OF the
north of Ireland. DIR. Geisendorfer was
hastily summoned from Arlington, who
probed and dressed the wound, He has
not yet located the bullet and does not
believe Fitz can recover.
The following telegram appears in
Saturdays Oregonian from Heppner:
''The shooting of jim Fitz last Wednes-
day by w. B. Ewing near Cecil, in this
county, proves to have been more serious
than first reported. DR.. Geisendorfer of
Arlington, who is in attendance, says
Fitz cannot possibly recover. Ewing is
in iail. where he will be held until the
result is known. Deputy Pros. Atty
Rea and Justice Richardson went to
Cecil Yesterday and secured the following
deposition from Fitz:
son February 2, about noon, | was
herding sheep on come railroad land
claimed by Ewing. Ewing, accompanied
by two Of the Leyde boys, came to where
the sheep we're. and started to drive them
down to Ewing's house. When / saw
them start the sheep / walked up to
where the boys were, saying, Boys, you
make good nerders.' / then walked in
between Ewing and the sheep. in order
to drive the sheep back, saying to Ewing,
4 can drive these sheep, and don't need
your help At that Ewing drew his
pietol and pointed it at me and said !:
I have been laying for you, you --- =
--, have got you now With that l
struck him with broom handle which
was using for cane, and tried to knock
the pistol out OF bis hand. | think
hit Ewing on the arm instead. The
pistol was discharged at the same mo-
ment, the ball striking me in the arm
below the elbow. Ewing Immediately
shot again, the second bullet striking
me below the right nipple"
Ewing's examination was beld yester-
day and wae defended by A ID Gurley
and Judge Bennett. We have not learn
ed the result. Fitz is yet alive.