The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1902-01-10

Sheriff w. c. Kicker Of NatronA
county, one OF the best known officials
in Wyoming, was shot and fatally
wounded In fight with outlaws at tho
Woodland ranch. fifty miles from Cas-
per. on Thursday, aud his body multi
ated In fiendish manner.
The outlaws escaped TO the hills, fol-
lowed by the remaining members Of
the posse, and upon receipt OF the news
Of the killing, forty more men left
Casper Friday TO hunt the murderers
down.
The latest news from the scene OF
the murder indicates that the sheriff
was deeoyed into the stable at tho
Woodland ranch, where, after being
tortured In the most brutal manner
possible, he was killed by inches. One
Of his posse who went with him into
the barn went of with the outlaws
sfterward, whether willingly or not II
70 not known.
The outlaws consisted at first Of tho
two Woodland brothers and two other
prisoners, who went with them. IL IL
believed, however, that upon arriving
at the Woodward ranch they were
Joined by some desperadoea from tho
Hole-in.the-wal country.
When the sheriff's posse reached tho
ranch they found all the doors OF the
cabin closed and the window curtains
drawn. While they were making their
examinations, however, n man stepped
out OF the barn and acted as though no
was surprised to see the intruders.
Later developments, however, made II
patent the posse was expected.
Upon seeing the sherih's posse the
fellow made Oft In the foothills behind
the stable. Two Of the posse followed
him and were soon out OF sight in tho
hills. As soon as tho fugitive and his
pnrsuers had disappeared, one other
man came out OF the stable aud hailed
che sheriff and his one remaining dep
uty, who happened 10 be the one who
Is now missing. SuspectinR nothing,
and believing they were two against
one, the sheriff aud the quondam dep-
uty won't to the stable. What happened
to the sheriff there before death re-
! ceased himffrom his torture can only 10
sarmistd from the mutilated appear
I ance u his body, for when the two
: members Of the posse who had chased
? the hrst bandit were making their way
: bsrh to the premises they were sud-
I dfnly halted by rife bullet which
= rhistled close 10 their heads. IL soon
r became apparent to them that they
would both be killed n they advanced
upon the outlaws stronghold, aud they
returned to Casper for endorsements
Before fleeing the bandits took Sheriff
Rickor's body out Of tho barn and
leaned II mp against the fence His
fingers were chopped or and his teeth
knocked In. His face was almost un-
recognizable from the many bruises on
, It, In addition TO this all the clothing
that had been left upon him had been
torn to shreds.
= The position OF the body and IN,
manner 10 which II had been dls6gurst
created the Impression that the outlaws
o INTENDED IL Us u warning to the othel
pursuers.
; when they saw the barbarous treat
y ment.thAt had been administered to th'
I sheriff, many members OF the poss'
} swore TO devote the rest OF their live
o n need be to the capture Of the outlaws
6 The outlaws broke jail at Caspe
Z December 30th and have since beel
closely followed by posse organize,
Q by sheriff Kicker.
% Every sheriff who has attempted /
arrest members OF the Hole-in-the-Wal
T. gang has met Rlcker's fate, and copss
Is qusntly not few Have lacked tn
courage to do their duty.
sheriff Kicker was one Of the peculin
J. pioneer characters Of Wyoming, an
D. was we'll and most favorably know
y throughout the state. He was the onl
a. volunteer who enlisted from his hon
,g county to go to Cuba and fight for III
G, liberty Of the Cuban people.
ne When nero lad dressed In bi
d. boots, u mans hat and two single-bai
g. relied horse pistols, he resented an In
Of arinary insult from wild Bill Ia Oh
e. cago, and offered to fight II out wit
ol that prince OF the plains. Instead, Il
70 plalnsman patched up a truce wit
M young Kicker and brought him aero
be The vast waste from old Fort Dearbol
a.. 10 san Francisco, where he entered u
nit as broucho-buster, ana afterwai
'' became mountaineer and rangeride
he lie roamed all over the west and Sc
ll- lied on a ranch near Casper numb
of wears ago. lie was about 65 yea
OF age
lo- Kansas Farmer shoots u Woman for Ste
Ing Corn,
M Near shawnee, kas.' sunday q
sh t- 81, farmer shot and prohat