Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-12-05
THE DEPUTY SHERIFF
BY II. |. CLEVELAND.

NE old-tlme deputy sherif's flne
i tons at the time of a Jail assault
aud lynching were many ana varied
He invariably took his cue from ne
sheriff. There were times when tbe
sherih did not object TO lynchipg-
there were political and other reasons
why he should not. Then there were
times when il was absolutely neces-
sary for other reasons why a lyncbing
should be prevented. The case tbe Re Il
brothers will illustrate. They will he
remembered not only as accomplished
morse thieves, but also as hiphway1neu
and even worse than that The first
time they came under the notice Of
tins particular sheriff they were LODGED
IN his jail, charged With having all
sorbed, made way with and disposed
of a herd Of sheep. The herd. the in
dictment stated, contained 600 more
or less crippled. foot-sore. relieved
wanderers Of the coulee range. The
Bell brothers made no objections 10
their arrest, since they were caught in
oed and their weapons not convenient-
ly handy. After being placed in Jail
they settled down 70 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 a
party OF ranchmen would attack the
jail that night and attempt 20 take the
brothers out and lynch them.
I'm informed" said the sheriff.
that II they are lynched the West
Enders will be down here lookin' for
a coyote that looks like myself with
guns. I've got to go across country
tonight, but | 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 jain 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 Euders must be made 10
see that 10 was neutral ground that
night. He thought long and earnestly
after his superior left him. He knew
that the sheriff had lodged the pos
sihle outcome Of the raid-a lvnching
lodged because he was politically a
coward, but that did not relieve him. |
He was one man, and a little man at |
that. He had plenty Of weapons
Ninehesters, ReminetOns. 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 a thought came to him
a big thought. He walked 10 the front
Of the Jail and into that part Of IL 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 a little conversation with her
which resulted in the home being
closed, and she retired TO the jail por-
lion which was separated from the
home by heavy iron doors. Next he
,alled upon the Bell brothers, and this
S what he said 10 them:
"Now you galutes can be hung to-
night or fight with me. The East End
5 going to raid us, and I'm alone. II
you're hung it'll be because I'm dead.
Z you fight with me we may stave the
BOYS of and save your necls. But
rou've got to tote fair or I'll save 'em
he trouble of hanging you. Now, what
want you 10 do is to come out here ,
n front when I'm ready and watch the
main street. When the boys get here !
hey've got TO come the front way. ,
Ifter they begin business / want YOU
o kill their horses. Shoot the horses,
,ut don't touch a man. See?"
The Bell brothers appreciated the
They told the deputy sher-
II that they would aid him in uphold
.g the law and either win or die with
i'm. Then he called on the Norwegian
woman again and explained TO her his
Ian. He said:
you've handled a gun and you've ,
ot nerve. Now may get killed in this 4
luss-up, hut somebody's got 10 ac- a
cunt for the prisoners. They mustn't s
Z Iynched. That's my orders. I'm ]
ding to put them in front where they |
an do some fighting If necessary, and |
ct not get hurt. But If get hurt |
I'm killed. want you TO kin the /
en brothers. Don't you either let /
IN get away or be lynched. The East H
.nders won't hurt you, but don't you H
x the Bell brothers get lynched."
Well, this woman was of her kind,
ithful unyielding, brave. She could II
IT appreciate either the comedy or II
e tragedy Of the situation, but she III
q realize what was wanted Of her, III
ID like most frontier women she was III
i found wanting. When darkness III
titled down the jail was strongly bolt III
and barred. In the front room Of L