Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-23
TO HANG ON GOOD FRIDAY
Charles Woodward Faces Death for Murder
of Sheriff Kicker.
CLAIMS TO Be VICTIM or coNSPIRAToR'
Ranchman Declares Condemned Man
Was Prey of Enemies Who Ruined
His Life to Obtain Possess
sion of His Property.

CASPER, wyo., March 22.-(Special.)-
preparations for the execution Of Charles
Woodward, murderer Of Sheriff Kicker,
which will occur in the yard of the county
Jail here next Friday, are nearing comple-
ton. The gallows is In place. the rope, a
twisted hemp band Of pure white, has been
purchased, invitations have been issued to
the several sherins throughout the state
and to others who will witness the execu-
ton and everything Is almost In readiness
for the FIRST legal hanging Casper has ever
had. No appeal for Woodward has been
made to the supreme court and in all prob
ability the murderer will pay the penalty OF
his awful crime on Good Friday.
1t is stated here that II Woodward lie
given an opportunity to make an address on
the gallows. and he undoubtedly will
be granted the same, he will make some
startling statements. disclosing what Is al
legged to have been a well-laid plot to ruin
him body and soul. 1t Is alleged that Wood
ward will tell the story in full Of his
troubles and OF the trap laid for him by his
enemies that resulted In his downfall.
A prominent ranchman for whom Wood
ward worked a number Of years, claims 10
know all about this plot. He says Wood
ward was an honest, Industrious fellow.
hard -Working and law-abiding until he was
thrown into Jail last fall. Woodward Sc
cured a small patch Of land in the Rattle
snake mountains and built a comfortable
home there. He herded sheep in the winter
and sheared in the spring, working on his
own place In the summer months. About a
year ago parties living near him began to
cause him trouble. One man attempted 10
secure his ranch by Aling a mineral claim
there, but failed. Woodward complained AT
the time that his enemies were working to
ruin him and he would emain with the
ranch come what might. He had Just been
married and the persistence Of his enemies
to drive him out OF the country almost
drove him insane.
The climax was reached last fall when
Woodward was arrested for robbing a ranch
house on an alleged trumped-up charge In,
stigated by his enemies. Though little evil
dence was produced against him at the pre-
liminary trial Woodward was bound over
to the district court. The ranchman says
several persons offered TO go on woodward'l
bond. but that Sheriff Kicker warned them
that Woodward would skip out of the coun.
try Just as soon as released and leave them
in the lureh. The ranchmAn also says thai
he knows woodward was kept in jail Sc
that he could not prove upon his home
stead. II is alleged that while he was IN
jail bis enemies secured his place.
Il know Of several parties that tried Il
turn Mrs. Woodward against her husband
said the ranchman. They told her that h
was sure 10 go TO the penitentiAry and tina
II she would testify against him the com,
munity would think more OF her for Il
They also told her that Woodward had toll
the men at the jail that she had been IN
true to him and that he wished she couli
be seat TO the penitentiary. / know thes
stories we're false. for ! have seen Wood
ward and his wife together several time
and . more happy and agreeable coupl