River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-07-23
VICTIMS OF A MOB.
Lynchers Shoot Dead Two Men In n
Wyoming JaiI-Deputy Sheriff
Is Also Killed.

Is Also Killed.
Butte, Mont, July 20-A special to
the Miner from Red Lodge, Mont,
says: Jim German, who killed his
brother about year age and ran off
with his brothers wife, and a man
named Walters, who killed a widow
named Hoover, at the Hot Springs two
years ago, because she refused to mar
by him, were lynched at Basin, Wyo,
early Sunday c. E. Pierce, a deputy
sheriff, was killed during the attack ON
the Jail.
1t was reported to Sheriff Fenton last
wednesday morning that mob was
coming up to Basin from Hiattsville
and Tonslip for the purpose of lynch
ing German and Walters. AS a meas
ure of precaution the sheriff took these
two men and a horsethief out of the
Jail and secreted them in a gulley near
town under guard of Deputy Sheriffs
Felix Aston and G. e. Pierce German
managed to slip his handouts and
make his escape. He swan the Big
Horn river, an unprecedented feat, aud
seven men quickly organized and Cor
man was recaptured early Saturday
morning about so miles from Basin.
Saturday night mob of about sc
unmasked men rode up the east bank
OF the Big Horn and compelled tho
ferryman to carry them across the
river. They made no demonstration
until they entered Basin, 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 and Special Deputy
Meade were guarding 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 Wal
tiers, who was crouched in his cell
piteously begging for mercy No need
less torture was resorted to. Walters
was shot instantly. The mob next
found German, whose body was pierced
by five bullets and was left presumably
dead, He fingered, however, until
Sunday forenoon.
A state of lawlessness now prevails
in northern Wyoming, as result of
which all law and order seems to have
been abolished. From President Mof-
felt, of the Montana and Wyoming
Telephone company, who is now maxi
ing tour of inspection of his com
pany's lines, comes the news of the
lynching and of an appeal for help
from Sheriff Fenton, oil Big Horn
county, who has arrested q number of
prominent cattle men near Thermopo-
lis and has appealed to the governor
of Wyoming for assistance of the
militia in getting his prisoners to Ba-
SIN.
An alarming state of affairs is re-
ported from the vicinity of Thermop-
oils. About six weeks ago, as a result
of the range feud that has been so
bitterly waged, sheep man, Ben Min
nick, was killed by cattlemen. The
sheriff it is asserted, has captured the
murderers, who are all prominent cat
tlemen and whose names have been
withheld owing to threats made
against him. Sheriff Fenton is unable
to get his prisoners to Basin. 1t is said
the same mob that lynched German
and Walters are sympathizers and
have declared that Sheriff Fenton will
never get out of the locality alive with
his prisoners. Sheriff Fenton has wired
the governor of Wyoming for permits
sion to use the state militia
He has also sent telephone mes
sage to Basin and other towns asking
for volunteers to assist him in uphold
ing the law. Everywhere hardy west
erners are responding to the call, arm
ing themselves and Fastening toward
Thermopolis. 1t is probable the mill
tia will be ordered to the scene and
bloody battle may be fought. The
country about Thermopolis is a wild
and lawless one. The last message
from Sheriff Fenton, which was re-
ceived Sunday morning, said he still
held the prisoners and that he be-
lieved he could hold out until rein
forcements came.