Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-20
ANARCHY IN WYOMING
TWO MEN LYNCHED AT BASIN
CITY.
Deputy Sheriff Pierce Killed While At
tempting to Defend His
Prisoners.

A dispatch from Red Lodge. Mont. last
night says: Jim German. who killed his
brother about year ago and ran off with
his brothers wife. and man named Wal
| tiers. who killed widow named Hoover at
| the Hot Springs two years ago because she
| refused to marry him were lynched at
Basin. Wyo.. today. c. E. Pierce. deputy
sheriff. was killed during the attack on the
| Jail.
| a state of lawlessness now prevails in
northern Wyoming. result of which all
law and order seems to have been abol
ished. From President Moffat of the Mon
tana and Wyoming Telephone Company,
who is now making a tour of inspection of
his cOmpany's lines. comes the news of the
| lynching and of an appeal for help from
Sheriff Fenton of Big Horn county, who
has arrested a number Of prominent cattle
men near Thermopolis. and has appealed to
the governor of Wyoming for assistance of
! the militia in getting his prisoners to Basin.
1T was reported to Sheriff Fenton last
Wednesday morning that mob was COM
ing up to Basin from Hiattsville and Ton
slip to lynch German and Walters and the
sheriff took these two men and horse
| thief from Jail and secreted them in a
| gully near town. under guard of Deputy
Sherifs Aston and Pierce.
German managed to slip his handouts
| and make his escape. He swan the Big
Horn river IAN unprecedented feat and
| made for the mountains. A posse was
| quickly organized and German was recap
| tured early yesterday morning about fifty
! miles from Basin.
| Last night mob Of about fifty masked
men rode up the east bank of the Big Horn
| and compelled the ferryman to carry them
across the river. They made no demOnStra-
ton until they entered Basirrt when five
shots were fired as a warning. The mob
proceeded at once to the county Jail and
| fired a volley into the jail. Deputy Pierce
nd ni.I w
the prisoners at the time. One bullet
grazed Meade's shoulder and entered
Pierce's heart. Members of the mob then
tore up the telephone poles and battered
the Jail doors down. They first came to
Walters. who was crOuChed in his cell. beg
ging pteously for mercy. No needless tor
| ture resorted to. Walters was shot in
Stantly.
The mob next found German, whose body
was pierced by five bullets and WAS left
presumably dead. He fingered, however.
until this forenoon.
A still more alarming state of affairs Is
reported from the vicinity of Thermopolls.
About six weeks ago, as result OF the
range feud that has been so bitterly wag-
ed, sheepman, Ben Minnick, was Killed
by cattlemen. The sheriff. it is asserted.
has captured the murderers, who are all
prominent cattlemen and whose names have
been withheld, owing to threats made
against the sheriff.
Sheriff Fenton is unable to get his pris
oners to Basin. 1t is said that the same mob
that lynched German and Walters are
Sympat hiZerS and have declared that Sher-
if Fenton will never get out of the locality
alive with his prisoners. Sheriff Fenton has
wired the governor of Wyoming for per
mission to the state militia at LandeS,
and has also sent telephone message to
Basin and other towns, asking for volln-
teerS to assist him in upholdinS the law
Everywhere hardy WeSternerS are respond
ing to the call arming themselves and
Fastening to Thermopols. 1t is probable
the militia will be ordered to the scene and
bloody battle may be fought. The coun-
try about Thermopolis is a wild and law
less one. The last message from Sheriff
Fenton. which was received this morning.
said he still held the prisoners and that he
believed he could hold out until reinforce
mentS came.