Daily camera., 1900-12-06
HE RULES THE TOWN.

HCsso6
Probably the strangest case IN the
criminal annals OF the West. says the
Denver News. was brought to light yes
terday by the filing of petition signed
by every taxpayer of Hlnsdale county
requesting Governor Thomas to grant a
pardon to DR.. r. o. Lacey who shot a,
and killed Henry Vit,el. bartender at
Lake CITY. Colo. Lacey is in possession
Of the keys to the Hinsdale county Jail,
and refuses TO deliver them to the county
commissioners He objects to being
pardoned. and refuses to sign the pe,i-
ton to secure his liberty.
DR.. Lacey claims be is acting sheriff Of
the county and warden of the Jail. The
sheriff is absent from the state, and be
fore his departure designated Lacey as
trusty, although the prisoner was serv-
ing years sentence for involuntary
manslaugh,er. Hindsdale. being a
small county and in financial straits,
there was ho regularly appointed deputy
sheriff, so the Imprisoned physician
claims this Office. Not only does he
carry the keys OF the Jail. but he has the
freedom Of the town. and is enjoying An
extensive medical practice.
Because he is prisoner. he insists
that the county shall provide him with
fuel, food and clothing, and 1t is because
Of this expense that the Hlnsdale county
taxpayers object. Lacey is a young
man, 3o years of age. A year ago be
took The "jag cure" and returned to Lake
City. Last March, while on a violen,
spree, he walked INTO saloon. drew his
revolver. and leveling over the bar. fired
one shot into the breast CT the barkeeper
Henry Vittel. AS Viuel staggered the
drunken physician shot him again in the
back Expert tesum ny introduced a,
the trial showed that DR. Lacey was in
sane with drink at the time. so the yer.
dict was involuntary manslaughter.
Affairs took serious turn whs n Lacey
declared that he would not return the jail
keys to the county commissi sioners. Lacey
permitted one prisoner in the jail to work
in a saw mill four miles distant and
another in mine sixteen miles away
and his invariable answer to the author
tiles was that he was deputized by the
sheriff and would do as he pleased until
the sheriff's return.
The town is divided for and agains,
the doctor, some contendlng that they
want him released to return to hiSprac-
tice, others declaring that he IS useless
burden on the community. The radical
party served notice on Lacey last month
that they would horse ship him 1t he did
not stay in Jail or else deliver up the
keys and support himself. Lacey de
fed them, and continued TO practice, Wis.
iting the jail at meal times and at night
to sleep. A petition was sent to the dis.
trict judge, Theron Stevens. requesting
that sentence be suspended. The Judge
ruled that the term OF court had expired
and the case was passed out of his iuris-
diction.
Threats were again tried in vain. He
was told that indignant citizens would
ride him out OF town on rail, finally
that he would be lynched. but the doc
tor placidly went about his business
turning over his earnings to his aged
and INDECENT father. who lives in Lake
City. The petition to the governor was
the last recourse. 1t is signed. it is said,
BY every taxpayer OF the county. and
prays that DR.. Lacey be released that
the burden of his support be lifted from
the county.