The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-07-24
LYNCH LAW AT BASIN, wYO.
gwe Murders shot to Death In the jail sn1
Deputy sheriff Killed While
Defending Them.

Hut'r. Mont July 2o.-A special
from Red Lodge. Mont. says:
Jim Gordan. who killed his brother
about year ago and ran of with his
brothers wife. and a man named Wall
lers, who killed a widow named
Hoover at the Hot Springs two years
ago because she refused TO marry
him. were shot az Basin. Wyo.,
early sunday. e. y. Pierce. deputy
sheriff. Was killed during the attack
on the Jail.
A state of lawlessn-ss now prevails
IN northwestern Wyoming as a result
of which all law and order seems to
have been abolished. From Pre- siden.
Moifett Of the Montana q Wyoming
Telegrone Co. who j. now making a
tour of inspection of his company's
lines. comes the news OF the lypching
and Of an appeal for help from Sher-
III Fenton Of Big Horn county. who
has arrested number Of prominent
cattlemcn near Thermopols and has
appealed 10 the governor OF Wyoming
for assistance OF the militia in get
ting his prisoners 10 the Basin.
II was reported To Sheriff Fenton
last Wednesday morning that mob
was coming up 10 Basin from HATS
Vile and Tonslip. for the purpose Of
iynching German and Walters. As a
measure Of precaution the sheriff
took these two men and horse thief
put of the jail and secreted them in
a gully near the town under guard OF
Deputy SheriffS Felix Aston and c.
=. Pierce
German managed 10 slip his hand
cuffs and make his escape. He swan
The Big Horn river. an unprecedented
Feat. and made for the mountains \
posse Of seven men quickly organized
and German was recaptured early
Sunday morning. about fifty miles
from Basin.
Sunday night a mob Of about fifty
unmaskcd men rode up the east bank
81 the Big HoY and compelled the
ferryman TO carry them across the
river. They made no demonstration
until they entered Basin, when five
shots were fred as a warning. The
mob proceeded AT once 10 the county
Jail and fired a volley into the Jail.
Deputy Pierce and Special Deputy
Meade were guarding the prisoners nj
the time. One bullet grazed Mead's
shoulder and entered Pierce's heart. |
Members of the mob then quickly |
procured two telephone poles and I
battered the Jail doors down. They |
first came to Walters. who was
,rouched in his cell piteously beg /
ying for mercy. No needless torture 4
was resorted &c. Walters was sho,
instantly.
The mob next found German. whose
body was pierced by five bullets. and
was left presumably dead. He lin.
gered. however. until forenoon.
still more alarming state OF af-
fairs is reported from the vicinity Of
Thermopolis. About six weeks ago.
as result Of the range feud that has
been 50 bitterly waged. sheepman,
Ben MinDick. was killed bv cattlemen.
The sheriff. il is asserted. has cap.
nred the murderers. who are prom-
lent cattlemen and whose names
nave been withheld owing 10 threats
made against him. sheriff Fenton II
Unable to get his prisoners to Basin
( Is said the same mob that killed
iorman and Walters are svmpa-
hizers. and have declared that Sher-
II Fenton will never get out Of the
ocalify alive with hs prisoners.
'herln Fenton has wired the gov
rnor Of Wyoming for permiS sion 10
sc the state militia at Lander and
$50 sent telephone message 10
;asin and other towns. asking for
olunteers 10 assist him in UNFOLDING
he Jaw. Everywhere hardy western
rs are responding to the call. arii.
ng themselves and Fastening ri
'hermopolis. II is probable that the
Militia will be ordered TO the scene.
nd a bloody battle may be fought.
he country about Thermopolis Is d
lid and lawless one. The last mes
age from Sheriff Fenton. which was
eceived Sunday morning. said he still.
ED the prisoners and that he be.
eyed he could hold out until rein
Orppmenfg earnp