River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-09-12
THE DEPUTY SHERIFF
BY II. 1. CLEVELAND.

NHE old-time deputy sheriff's func-
lions at the time of a Jail assault
and a lynching were many and varied.
He invariably took his cue from the
sheriff. There were times when the
sheriff did not object to lynching-
there were political and other reasons
why he should not. Then there were
times when it 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
this particular sheriff they lodged
in his Jail, charged with having abb
sorbed, made way with and disposed
of herd of sheep. The herd, the in
dictment stated, contained 600 more
or less crippled, foot-sore, red-eyed
wanderers of the coulee range. The
Bell brothers made no objections to
their arrest, since they were caught in
bed and their weapons mot convenient
ly handy. After being placed in jail
they settled down to a continuous
game of cribbage between themselves.
to which the deputy was not invited
On the third afternoon of their arrest
he was informed by the sheriff that
party of ranchmen would attack the
jail that night and attempt to take the
brothers out and lynch them.
Pm informed" said the sheriff,
that If they are lynched the West
Enders will be down here lookin' for
coyote that looks like myself with
guns. I've got to go across country
tonight, but l advise you that no
hanging bee is wanted. Be careful
with the boys, but don't let 'em in"
The population of the county was
composed of West Enders and East
Enders. The Bell brothers were West
Enders; their would-be lynchers were
East Enders. The West Enders were
cattlemen; the East Enders sheep
herders. The Jail stood almost in the
center of the county on what might
have been called neutral ground. The
deputy understood the sheriff to mean
that the East Enders must be made to
see that 1t was neutral ground that
night. He thought long and earnestly
after his superior left him. He knew
that the sheriff had lodged the pos
sible outcome of the raid-a lynching
lodged because he was politically
coward, but that did not relieve him.
He was one man, and little man at
that. He had plenty of weapons
Winchesters, Remingtons, Colts, but
the raiders would number so at least.
The town community gathered about
the Jail was small and could not be
depended upon for help. He was truly
puzzled until thought came to him
a big thought. He walked to 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
woman, sort of housekeeper for the
sheriff, who was a widow and childless.
He had little conversation with her
which resulted in the home being
closed, and she retired to the Jail por-
ton 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
you're hung it'll be because I'm dead.
If you fight with me we may stave the
boys off and save your necks. But
you've got to tote fair or I'll save 'em
the trouble of hanging you. Now, what
| want you to do is to come out here
in front when I'm ready and watch the
main street. When the boys get here
they've got to come the front way.
After they begin business I want YOU
to kill their horses. Shoot the horses.
but don't touch a man. See?"
The Bell brothers appreciated the
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:
you've handled a gun and you've
got nerve. Now may get killed in this
muss-up, but somebody's got to ac-
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 / get hurt
if I'm Killed. want you to kin the
Bell brothers. Don't you either let
'em get away or be lynched The East
Enders won't hurt you, but don't you
let the Bell brothers get lynched"
MeIl- IL MunLan WIS ~ her Lind