The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-08-10
DARK DOINGS
IN VICINITY
OF RHEA, @. t.
Houses of Farmers Riddled
With Bullets at Night.
WITH WINCHESTER RIFLES
Settlers are Compelled to De-
fend Homes and Property.

Arapaho, o. T, August s.-The Bee has
a communication or a special correspond
ence from Rhea, which shows a dread
ful condition of affairs in that section.
It is as follows:
But few people realize the terrible
state Of affairs. and the tragedies that
are being enacted on the borders of Gus
ter county. A year ago when the far
mers' free grass and herd law case was
decided in the supreme court in which
the rights of the homesteader and the
cattlemen were clearly defined, the peo-
PIE in the three counties of Day. Dewey
and Custer generally accepted and ap-
proved of the decision of the court, and
where lawiessness and discord were ram
pant. peace and harmony now prevail.
These conditions. however. do not apply
to the vicinity of Rhea. Frank Spear,
one of the plaintiffs in the free grass case
has ever since refused TO accept the pro-
visions Of that decision or to in any way
respect the rights Of the settlers in that
community. About a year ago, one Aus
tin Mckinney came from Richardson
county, Neb., and leased a school sec
ton near Rhea, upon which the cattle Of
Spear had been accustomed to range
Mckinney erected a fine house upon the
land, fenced a pasture and bought a
bunch Of cattle. This was especially dis
pleasing to Spear and he at once served
notice upon Mckinney that as long as
grass grew upon that school section his
cattle should have the benefit OF it,
After Several controversies over the mat
ter a bunch of McKinneys cattle were
missing from the pasture. The trail was
taken and followed about twenty-five
miles into Custer county when they
were overtaken. and were being driven
by Spear and a man by the name OF
Clark.
Constable Jones. Of Custer county.
had Joined in the pursuit of the cattle
but when they were overtaken, refused
TO allow the parties who were with Nc
Kinney 70 arrest Spear and Clark and
also refused to take them into custody.
The cattle were driven back to McKin-
neys pasture. and he and his neighbors
Clark arrested. but the county attorney
Of Dewey county refused TO allow COM
plant to be filed They then came TO
Arapaho to consult the county attorney
of Custer county and were met with the
same refusal.
Soon after Spear and four companions
rode upon the premises and at distance
of 200 yards opened fire upon Mckinney
and L. \. JOY who were standing in Nc
kidneys yard, with long-range rifles.
The fire was r eturned by Joy and another
young man. and the first shot brought
down the horse upon which Spear sat.
Three times since McKinney's house has
been attacked in the night and riddled
with Winchester bullets. while McKin-
ney and his family were in the house
"A man by the name Of Cooper. who
had taken sides with Mckinney. had a
fine crop of corn and cotton on a farm
nearby. Both of his horses were shot and
he was notified to leave the place at once.
He went but sold the crop TO L. A. JOY
and man by the name OF Smith. They
took possession and began the cultivation
OF tho crops. JOY returned from a special
gathering at a late hour, when within
thirty yards of his house he was fired
upon by a man who stood behind tree
in front Of the house and also sirnuItane-
ously BY another concealed about forty
rods away. At the first shot Joy sprang
from his horse with revolver in hand.
as he struck the ground he was fred
upon by four other men concealed in the
weeds not forty feet away. One load
-l,o
cedar post half OF by the side Of Jov
as he stood in the dark He claims the |
fash from the gun burned his face. Into |
this crowd JOY emptied his revolver.
After the first shots had been fired by |
the two men stationed in front of the /
house they began firing into the house.
through the door as they evidently sup |
posed Smith was IN there he had. how |
ever made his bed in the weeds back OF |
the house and from a convenient posi- |
ton with his Winchester rife soon
silenced his assailants. He then turned 1
on the four men who were shooting at /
Joy at such close range and the outlaws /
soon withdrew. 1t is believed that at 4
least two Of their number were severely 1
wounded.
AtteI the aSsdiiahts were driven away J
q half gallon OF kerssine was found near /
the door which only shows what terrible 1
deeds these men are capable OF doing 4
VIII the officers Of these two counties 4
still refuse 10 act until an enraged popu- +
lace take this matter into their Own /
hands and things may be done which 4
viii cause the blush Of shame TO spread 4
over the countenance Of every law ahid- I
ing citizen IN these two counties.'
BAD GANG ROUNDED UP
Sheriff Miller and Posse CT Fifty Men
Take Five Prisoners.