Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1899-04-29
Jack Curry Dead.


hospital, Jack Curry was very popu-
lar and highly respected citizen.
Jack Curry came to Lewiston in 1852.
He located with Bill I.eBaron the boom
homestead on the Clearwater. That
place was improved by the expenditure
of $40 900 in the construction of boom
and other improvements. AT that time ,
the boom was the most valuable real !,
estate i'll the Lewiston valley. The sales
of wood from that place amounted to
many thousands of dollars.
Jack Curry was deputy sheriff under
Berry in the early COS when the Office
was very important one. The work
he did earned him great commentator
HIS diligence, integrity and courage
was notorious all over the north west.
He became so popular that his friends
offered to make him sheriff il he would
agree not to drink to excess. The
condition was resented and he informed
his friends that he woult accept no
position i'll the gift of the people.
His honor never tarnished i'll the minds
Of those who knew him best ill he was
practically lost to the public eye. His
taste for drink and his jovial nature rob-
bed the world of his usefulness and per
haps brought sorrow to his closing years,
The man who declined high honors in
the days of his power died public
charge; and the fate came to man who
never wronged human being with evil
intent
The death of Jack Curry brings to
the public mind some thrilling events III
the history Of our county. As deputy
sheriff he was called upon to arrest Pete
Walters who had just killed Joe Yates.
Yates and Curry were close friends. The
murder was a particularly aggravating
one. The parties to the tragedy were in
the saw mill business near Mount Idaho.
and Walters killed Yates over settle
ment. The neighbors were incensed
by the crime. Mount Idaho was then in
Nez Perce county and Sheriff Berry sent
Curry to arrest the murderer of his per-
sonal friend.
When it was learned that Yates could
| not live the leaders of the vigilantes ap-
preached Curry, who was holding his
prisoner at l.. P. Browns, and told
him they had decided to hang Walters
as soon as Yates died. Curry dissented
| to the surprise of the mob. He not onl,
refused to accede TO the demand for the
prisoner, but swore he would protect
him in justification of his oath of Office
This assertion was held to be con
tempt OF the vigilante court. But Curry.
firmness was respected, and after the
death Of Yates he started for Lewiston
The mob decided it would not ne safe tt
enforce the decree while Curry was OF
his guard, SO they decided to take til,
prisoner from him on the mountain nea
cottonwood house.
:, But Curry suspected the ruse and Ia
tdodged and outran the mob in sixty
five mile race, and delivered Walters i,
the Lewiston Jail.
: Walters was duly tried before Judg,
Naugle. +. A. Isham defended the pris
oner. DIR. Kelly. who was summoned i
: attend after he received the fatal shots
was witness for the prosecution. Thu
DOCTORS evidence.was very positive an.
very damaging against Walters who wa
TRYING to establish self-defense. Jndg
Isham went Oh. the stand and contradict
ed the doctor. Dr. Kelly waited il
front Of the judges bench and as lshan
stepped down from the witness stand tn
doctor slapped him oil each side OF tn
face. Cold steel flashed in a second, bu
Curry and his principal were AT hand an
the belligerents were oyerpowered AM
disarined just in time TO stop anothe
tragedy. The court imposed fine G
$50 upon each Of these distnrbers. It
. useless to add that the fine Was paid NOR
!, readily than the differences we're settle'
between these prominent citizens.
/ Pete Walters however was doomed t
die without waiting the processes Of Law
The mob that Curry had ioiled neve
! revoked this sentence. They sent men
) bers Of their committee to Lewiston /
|. gain information about the Jail and th
loficers in charge Of Walters during hi
imprisonment These spies wer
instructed TO make plans that earr
could not detect for they knew his 0
; fetal honor and his personal eeurag
! would defeat VIII mob if he was
! he encountered. At Al opportune lin
the mob came down ti..m the Prair
and took Walters out Of jail and hange
him TO q high har over a gate way me-
; the old Williams house on Snake Riv'
Al Avenue.
al Jack Curry earned better fate than
) !pauper's grave. The people Of Lewists
should blush with shame in the Co
templation of the scene that was enacte
yesterday This man was hauled To Il
? cemetery in a cheap casket with !
; lattendant but hired express ma
;. Some old friends desired TO pay him Il
: Hast respect Of following his bier to Il
grave but they failed after inquiry
learn the hour. They drove to 4
, lcenetery but the grave digger had u