The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-11-09
NOTABLE TRIAL IN WYOMING.
Final Outcome Of Quarter Century
Antagonist.

Denver Post.
The conviction Of Tom" Horn at Chey-
enne will undoubtedly mark the closing
chapter of the long reign OF lawlessness
and unbridled crime which has distin-
guished the history Of wyoming Tor the
past thirty years or more. This period
began with the advent of the range stock
men in the early seventies. 1t found It's
elimination in the Jackson's Hole trag-
edy of 1892. l.,
Since that heroically tragic affair. In
which United States troops were required
TO restore peace and order, there has been
a rapid disintregration of the lawiess eie.
ment and a firm and sure establishment
of duly constituted governmental autnor-
ity The conviction OF Tom horn
proves the reality of that change and as
sures the permanency of the new order OF
A true history of wyoming for the past
quarter of century would reao IKE
romance from Sir Walter Scott In all
save the element of religious fanatlcisi1,
it would lind close parallel IN tne
mighty clannisn feuds OF the nils ane
daies of Bonny Scotland in the days OF
the gallant Rob Roy ana ms stohe-
hearted companions
When Texas was invaded by civi1zation
and law, something more than quarter
of a century ago. the great cattle parons
of that vast range OF nature, no longe.
monarchs of all they surveyed. treksed
north in the search for new and undis-
turbed fields. In Wyoming many on tnem
imagined they had found the oesireu
haven, But the settler and the small
ranchman followed close upon their heels.
blazing the way for the farmer ana the
Then began the war. The large range
stockmen combined to drive the otne s,5
out. In turn, the farmers, the small
forces in mutual protection or their own.
There was little lawful authority In
those DAYS, and what little there was
soon became completely lost in the rag
RVGFV nAn0.
resulting finally in reign OF muroeI,
a asa ssination, and terrorism which finds
no parallel In American history.
Men were killed upon sight. Settlers
were put out of the way by hired assas-
sins upon the merest suspicion and at 30
much ner head-just as wolves were killed
for the scalp bounty.
In this bloody business Tom Horn was
the acknowledged leader ana una uesd aso
plains of Wyoming. killing for money
at the mere behest Of the great cattle
harons who marked their victims upon
the slightest suspicion and Justihed their
actions upon the plea that the unfortu-
mates were engaged in cattle 'Tustiing.
That the authorities of Wyoming have
at last succeeded in conQuering and vim
dicating the majesty Of Justice and o. the
law is certainly cause for the deepest con-
| graduation. In this work District Attor-
new Stoll has had no small part, ana Is
| entitled to great praise. HIS hanoiinH OF
| the Horn case has been at once rearless,
determined and unrelenting. 1t has been
marked by signal ability and a sinsleness
Of purpose to redeem his state from
| the dark stigma which has so long rested
upon II. Equally so has been the work OF
| United States Marshal Joe La Fors, TO
whose courage and keen talent as detec-
live much Of the success Of the prosecu-
ton against Horn Is to be credited; Inc
| Jury in the case, too, is fully entitled 70
| ali the credit of dauntless exercise OF
duty. without this aid the work OF the
others must have partially, not wholly
| failed.
No person not intimately acquainted
| with the undercurrents of Wyoming his
| tory can more than slightly appreciate
| the strength and the power of those influ-
ences that have been exerted to secure o
| thwarting of the ends of justice in this
now famous case. 1t has been desperate
| struggle, waged with all the unrelenting
| fearlessness of deep-seated hatreds, long
established animoslties, and large none
tarv' Interest That the law has finally
triEmphed over these is fact upon which
| the honest and law-ablding people OF
wyoming and the entire West may we'll
| nride themselves.