Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-08-27
TWO KILLED-FOUR WOUNDED
British Find the Beers In Strong
Position. With Many bic
Guns-Losses Reported.
GEN. OLIVIER IS CAPTURED


killed, three wounded, 1.-TWO perhaps
fatally, one woman wounded and a
residence burned, are the results of an
all night battle between a mob and
Mrs. Dr. {. W. Wright, accused of the
murder of Bessie Salter sixteen years
old, the daughter of citizen of Gil
man. The dead are: John Myers, a
laborer employed by Mrs. DR.. Wright,
Michael Ryan, deputy constable. Fat
flly wounded: Lawrence Ryan, a
brother of the dead man, abdomen;
George Willoughby, citizen, left lung.
Mrs DR.. C. w. Wright, right shoulder.
seriously wounded: Peter Lauer, a
member of the citizens attacking par.
ty stomach Early in the evening
Constable Nilstead went to the house
on the outskirts of the town, occupied
by Mrs. Wright. to serve warrant
sworn out after the coroner's jury
declared the woman guilty OF mur-
der. A number of deputies g lthered
upon the street, accompanie1 Con-
stable Nilstead Mrs. Wright barred
the door and the constables broke
the outer door, opened and entered the
darkened rooms. dlcnael Ryan was
about to enter the apartment when a
shot rang out and he fell dead The
.constables made a hurried exit, and
formed a picket line around the build
ing. They fired into the building in
the hope that the occupants would
surrender, but without success. 1t
was finally determined to set fire to
the building. The recent rains had
dampened the timbers and the fire did
not catch and the posse gave up the
attempt and resumed the original pro
gram. About 3 O'Clock the family of
Michael Ryan arrived. A mob of ESQ
people gathered, most of them armed
The grief of Ryan's wife and child
rem fired the crowd to frenzy. Bundles
of straw saturated with petroleum
were piled against the hospital and
set afire. The place was soon a mass
of flames. Shot after shot rang from
the upper windows, George Willough'
by, local representative Of the Stand-
ard Oil company, and Peter Hauer a
member of the attacking party, were
shot.
The crowd volleyed the house as fast
as 1t could. No screams followed the
progress of the flames and the mob
began to think the inmates were Gre
mated. Suddenly, from a bunch OF
timber in the rear, several shots came
in the direction of the mob. The mob
returned the fire which was quickly
silenced. The timber was rushed and
the body of John Myers, blacksmith,
employed by Mrs. Wright, was found
in his death agony, shot in dozen
places. Near by lay Mrs. Wright, a
ragged hole in her shoulder. The
mob carried her to town. Physicians
endeavored to resuscitate her but up
to 9 a. m. were unsuccessful 1t is
probable she will die. The mob i'm
mediately dispersed. It is reported
three women were in the house be-
sides Mrs. Wright, but they were not
found. The house was destroyed with
IFS contents. Mrs. DR.. Wright is
about fifty years old. It is stated she
was formerly an actress. For some
time she has been conducting lying
in hospital on the outskirts of Gilman
The death of bessie Salter in the
house last Friday and the later yer
dict of the corners jury Saturday
caused the issuance of the warrant
of arrest.
The crowd soon assembled at the
city hall and threats of lynching were
uttered. Every effort was made to
quiet and disperse the mob but at $3.50
O'Clock the mob made a demonstra-
tion, smashing the windows with
stones and clubs. a shot fired through
the window by one of the mob barely
missing the woman. Oficers finally
restored order but it seemed probable
there would be further trouble. The
ooroner's jury adjourned till o'clock
The prisoner was taken to Paxtor
at noon and will be taken to Watsek'
Jail.
NAVAL VETERANS DAY.