Waterbury Democrat., 1901-09-11

a DIE thought. Ill c " tAi1N gu 10 tIlt IfpuE of the jail and into that part of it used by the sheriff for his home. The only one in charge there was Norwegian woman, sort of housekeeper for the sheriff, who was widow and childless. He had a little conversation with her which resulted in the home being closed, and she retired to the jail por- tion which was separated from the home by heavy iron doors. Next he called upon the Bell brothers, and this is what he said to them: "Now you galutes can be hung to- night or fight with me. The East End is going to raid us, and I'm alone. If Isyou're hung it'll be because I'm dead. If you fight with me we may slave the boys off and save your necks. But you've got to tote fair or I'll save 'em l the trouble of hanging you. Now, what | l want you to do is to come out here 1 in front when I'm ready and watch the main street. When the boys get here l they've got to come the front way. After they begin business I want you 1 to kill their horses. Shoot the horses, but don't touch man. See?"
 The Bell brothers appreciated the 1 situation. They told the deputy sher-. if that they would aid him in uphold ing the law and either win or die with him. Then he called on the Norwegian woman again and explained to her his plan. He said:
 "Youve handled a gun and you've got nerve. Now may get killed in this l muss-up, but somebody's got to ac- 1 count for the prisoners. They mustn't be lynched. That's my orders. I'm going to put them in front where they can do some fighting if necessary, and yet not get hurt. But if I get hurt 1 if I'm killed-I want you to kill the Bell brothers. Don't you either let lem get away or be lynched. The East Enders won't hurt you, but don't you let the Bell brothers get lynched." I We'll, this woman was of her kind. faithful, unyielding, brave. She could not appreciate either the comedy or the tragedy of the situation, but she l did realize what was wanted of her, and like most fnontier women she was not found wanting. When darkness settled down the jail was strongly bolt l ed and barred. In the front room of the second-story overlooking the court the Bell brothers lay by a barred win l dow, mattresses for shields, and wait ed for the coming of the avengers. They had noted that back of them and some distance away woman was sit- ting by a table and that she had on the table magazine Winchester-had it in such way that it commanded their position. Still they did not under stand As for the deputy he was all over the jail looking after things. He had no other prisoners to care for, but he was inspecting locks and barriers which he had created. By ten o'clock the settlement outside was asleep. By Il there was fringe of moon light on the eastern horizon, and the prairie waste was illumined with white light. In the stiffness the uneasy movings of distant herds of cattle could be distinguished and often the call of the ranging wolves. The Bell brothers tested with themselves on the outcome of the night raid. T never tried rope for collar said l one.
 Its too tight" said the other. The woman sat immovable.
 Up through the moonlight came rid- ing the East Enders, 50 strong, as the, deputy had suspected. They gallopedF | through the town and citizens who l heard them crept closer in their beds. They knew it meant jail raid, but they were not responsible for the | Jail. The horsemen halted in front of the structure, and their leader beat hard on the door with the butt of a gun. In time the deputy lazily raised 8 window in the second story, and lazily asked: AafWhat in thunder'' was | wanted.
 ''Turn 'em out, old man." said the leader. "We're after the Bell boys"
 You don't say. Why, I ain't got authority to turn lem out. The last thing the sheriff said to me just to- 1 night was that must take good care | of 'em."
 "Aw, quit your fishing. You know what we want. Open up."
 'I can't do it unless you've an or der from the court. You'd better put your horses up and get lodging until | you see the court. The Bell boys is asleep and I don't want lem dis l turbed."
 Then that valiant body of East Enders shot the door full of holes and tried to blow the lock. After that the fun began. It was fast and | furious. More good horses died that night than the country ever had rec ord of before or since. In all the Mis- souri country except in battle with | the Indians there never was such a killing of horses as that night. Per haps there were hundred shots fired, maybe more, but when the East Enders withdrew they were un- harmed, but of their horses more l than 50 were dead or mortaliy wound ed, and the jail was still intact. Short of ammunition and disgusted, the East Enders retreated and made their way back over the prairies to their homes as best they could. The sheriff appeared to be greatly sur prised the next day to fnd>so many evidences of battle about the jail, dead horses here and dead horses