Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1899-05-20
SECRETARY OF STATE PATRIE.

Once Sheriff Washington County,
Kansas-Had Hot Times ia the
Old County in Those Days-
THAT He Did, Etc.
Washington County tKASl Palladium.
Many years ago, away back in the
f0's, Mart Pxtrie, now secretary OF
state OF Idaho, was the sheriff Of Wash
ington county, Kansas. In those prim-
tive days society was not as well or
ganized and protected from the ravages
OF the lawless as at the present. Law
was not as we'll enforced, criminals
were more numerous and beyond
question much more desperate and dar-
ing than ut the present time. Those
were the days when the frontier set
tiers we're alarmed and constantly on
their guard, ever alert lest the sun
tutore1 savage" with tomahawk and
scslping-knife, in an nnguarjed mo-
ment, might swoop down upon them
and their families. Yes, those were
the days when the hushandman carried
his carbine and musket to the field
with him for his own and his family's
projections; when mothers taught their
children the art of detecting Indian
stealth and treachery; the days when
the ''red man OF the plains would hurl
his harmless shafts at pioneer trains
with develish madness and ill-concealed
hatred rs they rushed through the coun-
try on their peaceful mission, carrying
the news from one ocean to the other.
Those were the days when courage was
required and pluck and nerve neces-
sary. Courts had been organized, Off
GERS elected and appointed, and the
people felt that they should have some
better protection from Irdian depreda-
.ions and the pillager and plunderer
who, like seaweeds, had foated to the
frontier. 1t was then that the people
OF Washington county began to look
around for q safe conservator of the
peace and safe guardian of their homes
and lives. The county, although largely
Republican, considering the small pop
ulation, laid aside their political be-
liefs and creeds and stood by the man.
Mr.. Patrie WAS the nominee of the
Democratic party, although a mere
handful attended the convention. His
nomination was endorsed at the polls
oy the people irrespective of party,
and he WAS elected by handsome ma
Jority. Assuming the duties of his Of
flee the following January he was met
at the Threshold with spirit of law
lessness that was difficult TO overcome.
j. w. Rector was at the same time
elected county attorney, The spirit of
lawlessness run riot in the county. Ia
April following, q complaint was lodg
with Fl. c. Sprengle, justice of the
peace, sworn to by II. ]. Bond, cbsrg-
ing that one Stephen Reinhart was
guilty of the crime of burglary and
larceny. Following closely upon this,
warrants were issued for the appre-
hension of John Clayton, NJ. S. Dris-
kell, Frank White and Nathan Glenn,
charged with the same offense. War
rants were issued for their arrest, and
later upon the oath of James Thomp-
son; then agent for the Grand Island
railroad at Hanover, further warrant
was issued for the apprehension of
John Clayton upon the charge of bur-
glary and larceny in the depot. The
parties we're all arrested, and at the
time 1t was believed all were impli-
gated. They all gave bonds. Rein
hart never appeared for trial; White
aud Glenn were convicted OF the ofYense
charged and sent to the penitentiary.
Clayton was not tried on the charge of
burglarizing the home Of Mr.. Bond,
but was later tried for the burglary
and larceny in the Hanover depot He
was regarded as desperate man, large
and powerful, and an athlete, and not
lacking In courage. The responsible
putty OF landing him in the penitentiary
fell upon Mr.. Patrie. In December.
after the conviction, he started over
land for Waterville to take the Mis-
souri, Pacific train for Leavenworth
with Clayton heavily ironed, Mir, Pa
trie realized the situation. He was ex-
tremely cautious and guarded. He
knew the desperate character of the
man with whom he Was dealing. He
took no changes. AS the train would
not leave Waterville until next morn
ing, it was necessary that they remain
over night After supper MIR. Pa
trie with his prisoner went to bed,
he fastening himself to his prisoner
with handcuffs. Patrie was no spring
chicken either in experience or size,
and he felt abundantly able TO cope
with his prisoner even in q rough and
tumble. Sometime during the mig hit
the prisoner loosened himself from the
sheriff and made his escape, the means
of his escape remaining mystery un.
til recently Mr. Patria waa ,n, ca,