The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-07-21

was released on bail. German was
tried twice tor his Offense and each
time convicted and sentenced to death.
He was possessed of considerable
means and his lawyers were enabled
to resort to every known device to
secure delay and if possibly finally
cheat the gallows. Upon his last con-
viction al appeal was taken to the
supreme court and there the case Is
pending.
About two years ago Walters killed
a widow named Hoover, who had a
small store at ~Thermopolis. He had
asked her to marry him and she re.
fused. In a fit of rage he shot her
and when arrested set up the plea
of insanity and denied all knowledge
of the crime. He was tried several
months ago, found guilty and sen.
fenced to be hanged. A new trial was
demanded. This was refused and an
appeal was taken on technicalities.
The supreme court found an error and
a rehearing was ordered.
Walters was we'll known here, hav.
ing been a travelling salesman and
frequently visited Billings. Before
coming to this part of the country
he lived in the Black Hills, where at
n time he was the publisher of a
newspaper at Lead City. He sold out
and then went to Deodwood. There
he was appointed deputy United States
of dissipation. While there he at.
tempted to murder a man whom he
found talking to his wife one night
when he went home. For this he was
given a jail sentence.
Anarchy Prevails There.
The same report hat brought the
information of the double lynching
also stated that lawlessness to an
alarming degree is prevalent in Big
Horn county. About six weeks ago,
as a result of a range war, Ben Min
nick, a prominent sheepman, was
killed, by cattlemen, it is alleged.
Sheriff Fenton, so the story was told,
had the men who did the shooting
under arrest, but on account of threats
made against him was unable to take
them to Basin. 1t is said that the
same men who lynched German and
Walters are in sympathy with the
killers of Minnick and have declared
that Fenton will never be permitted
to leave the vicinity of Thermopolis,
, where the alleged murderers were
said to be under arrest, alive, should
he attempt to take the prisoners with
him.
! Sunday it was said that the sheriff
had telegraphed to the governor of
Wyoming to order the company OF the
national guard stationed at Lander
to his assistance. He also telephoned
to Cody, Basin, Meeteetse and other
towns in northeastern Wyoming for as
sistance. 1t was said that from all
sheepmen were arming and Fastening
to help him. The fear was expressed
that if the militia we're ordered out
a bloody battle would be surely fought
between the %contending factions.
A message was said to have been
received at Cody Sunday morning
from Sheriff Fenton stating he still
had the alleged murderers and felt
himself able to hold out until assis-
lance could reach him.
Still Holds Prisoner.
According to the latest advices
from the seat of var everything has
quieted down. Sheriff Fenton was at
Thermopolis yesterday and preparing
to take Jim McCloud, the alleged MUIR
derer of Minnick, to Basin. From the
latter place a company of the national
guard had arrived and was guarding
the Thermopolis Jail, in which Nc
Cloud has been confined. The arrival
OF the troops prevented a Jail deliv-
cry, as it is believed friends of the
prisoner had prepared to take him
away from the officers.
A large number of ranchers and
cowboys have been sworn in as depu-
ties by Sheriff Fenton and camped
about the Jail. These and other men,
among them several United States Of
ficers, were to accompany the sheriff
on the trip to Basin, as it was be-
lieved that the adherents of McCloud
would try to ambush the sheriff en-
route and take his prisoner from him.