Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1901-09-07
THE DEPUTY SHERIFF
BY II. 1. CLEVELAND.

snerin did not object TO lynching-
there were political and other reasons
why he should not. Then there were
times when IL was absolutely neces-
sary for other reasons why lynching !
should be prevented. The case Of the Bell
brothers will illustrate. They will be
remembered not only as accomplished
horse thieves. but also as highwaymen.
and even worse than that. The first
time they came under the notice OF 4
this particular sheriff they were lodged I
in his Jail. charged with having abb !
sorbed. made way With aud disposed /
Of herd Of sheep. The herd, the IN I
dictment stated. contained coo more /
or less crippled. foot-sore. red-eyed I.
wanderers Of the coulee range. The I
Bell brothers made no objections 10
their arrest, since they were caught in
bed and their weapons not convenient
" handy. After being placed in Jail
they settled down 20 a continuous
game Of cribbage between themselves.
20 which the deputy was not invited.
On the third afternoon OF their arrest
he was informed by the sheriff that a
party OF ranchmen would attack the
/ Jail that nigh; and attempt 20 take he
brothers out and lynch them.
"rm informed" said the sheriff.
| "that II they are lynched the West
1 Enders will be down here loolxin' for
/ coyote that looks like myself with
7 guns I've got 20 90 across country
+ tonight. but I advise you that no
+ hanging bee is wanted. BE careful
, with the boys. but don't let 'em in"
The population Of tho county was
Z composed OF West Enders and East
Enders The Bell brothers were West
Enders; their wouid-be lynchcrs were
Z East Enders. The West Enders were
cattlcmen; the East Enders sheep
herders. The jail stood almost iu the
center Of the county ON what might
have been called neutral ground. The
| deputy understood the sheriff 90 mean
that the East Enders must be made 90
see that 10 was neutral ground that
night. He thought long and earnos tly
after his superior left him. Tie knew
that the sheriff had lodged the pos
sible outcome OF the raid-a lyuching
lodged because he was politically a
coward, but that did not relieve him.
He was one man. and a little man al
that. He had plenty OF weapons
| Winchesters. Remiugtons. Colts. but
The town community gathered about
. the Jail was small and could not be
depended upon for help lie was truly
puzzled until a thought came 60 him
big thought. lie walked 20 the front
of the jail and into that part Of it used
by the sheriff for his home. The only
one in charge there was "a Norwegian
e woman, sort OF housekccpcr for The
Z sheriff. who was a widow and childless
G. He had little conversation with hel
i which resulted ia tho home being
y closed, and she retired 60 the Jail por
i ton which was separated from the
home by heavy iron doors. Next h'
I called upon the Bell brothers. and this
D IS what he said to them:
k "Now YOU galutos can be hung 90
II night or fight with me. The East Enc
= is going go raid us, and I'm alone.
l. you're hung it'll be because I'm dead
- n You fight with me we may stave tn
boys Of and save your nccks. Bu
you've got 60 tote fair OF TT save 'eu
the trouble Of hanging you Now, wha
7 want YOU 20 do Ii TO come ont her
in front when I'm ready and watch ia
p main street. when the boys get he r.
I, they've got 20 come the front way
After they begin business / want yo
20 kill their horses. Shoot the horses
IS but don't touch q man. See?"
Dr. The Bell brothers appreciated tn
ID situation They told the deputy sheI
es in that they would aid him In uphold
:. ing the law and either win or die wit
him. Then he called on the Norweeia
81 woman again and explained 10 her hi
~ | plan. lie said:
I'd You've handled gun and you'v
got nerve. Now may get killed ia tn
muss-uP. but somebody's got 90 a.
count for the prisoners. They mustn
be lynched. That's my orders. II
going 70 put them ia front where the
can do some fighting II necessary. an
yet not get hurt. But II 1 get hurt
IL I'm killed. want you 70 kill ii
Bell brothers. Don't YOU either Il
'em get away or be lynched. The Ea
Elders won't hurt you. but don't yc
a lee the Bell brothers get lynched."
". Well. this woman was Of her kin
10 faithful, unyielding, brave. She cou
not appreciate either the comedy
y the tragedy OF the situation. but 81
'ae did realize what was wanted Of ne
lly and like most frontier women she V
VI. not found wanting. When darkne
az. settled down the Jail was strongly DO
ed and barred. In the front room
the secOnd-stOry overlooking the cou
II the Bell brothers lay by barred vi
WI dow, mattresses for shields, and wa
ed for the coming of the avenge
They had noted that back OF them a
some distance away a woman was 5
ting 10y table and that she had on Z
table a magazine Winchester--had