The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-08-05
LAWLESSNESS IN WYOMING
Jail Stormed, Two Murderers lynched,
and an Officer Killed.
SHERIFF CALLED FOR MILITIA

Volunteers Rushed TO Aid Him Against Cat
tlemcn, WHO Threatened to Rescue His
Prisoaers-At Easiu the Mob Shot Two
Men Under Dealt, Sentcnce-Tclephon
Poles Used as Gathering Rams.
Red Lodge, Mopt.-Jira German, who
killed his brother about year ago and
ran off with his brothers wife, and q
man named Walter. who killed a.
widow named Hoover at the Hot
Springs two years ago because she re-
fused to marry him. were lynched at
Basin. Wyoming. c. E. Pierce, Dep
uty Sheriff, was killed during the at
tack on the jail
A state of lawlessness prevails id
Northern Wyoming. as result Of
which all law and order seem to nave
been abolished. From President Mof-
fett. of til Montana and Wyoming Tele-.
phone Company. who is making a5tour
Of inspection of his company's lines,.
comes the news of the lynching and an
appeal for help from Sheriff Fenton, Of
Big Horn County, who has arrested a
number Of prominent cattlemen near
Thermopolis and has appealed to the.
Governor Of Wyoming for the assist
ance of the militia in getting his pris-
Oners to Basin.
1t was reported to Sheriff, Fenton
Wednesday morning that q mob was
IN
and Tonslip to lynch German and Wal
ters, and the Sheriff took these two
men and horse thief from Jail and
secreted them In q gulley near town
under guard Of Deputy Sheriffs Aston
and Pierce.
German managed to slip his hand.
cuffs and make his escape. He swan
the Big Horn River, an unprecedented
feat, and made for the mountains Al
posse was quickly organized and Cor
man was recaptured about fifty miles
from Basin.
At night mob Of about fly nm
masked men rode up the east bank20f
the Big Horn and compelled the ferry:
man to carry them across the river
They made no demonstration until they
entered Basin, when five shots were
fred as warning. The mob proceeded
at once to the county jail and fired &C
volley into it. Deputy Pierce and Spe-i
cial 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
Walters, who was crouched In his cell,
begging piteously for mercy. No need
less torture was resorted to. Walters
was shot instantly. fE
The mob next found German, whose
body was pierced by five bullets, and
left believing he was dead. He fingered.
however, until forenoon. e
A still more alarming state OF af-'
fairs Is reported from the vicinity OF
Thermopolis. About six weeks ago, as
the result of the range feud that has,
been so bitterly waged, a sheepman,S
Ben Minnick, was killed by cattlemen.s 4
Sheriff Fenton. it is asserted, has cap.
tured the murderers, who are all prom
inent cattlemen, and whose names have
been withheld. owing to threats made
against the Sheriff y
Fenton is unable to get his prisonerS
to Basin. 1t is said the same mob that
lynched German and Walters are SYM
pathizers, and have declared that
Sheriff Fenton will never get out Of the
locality alive with his prisoners. Fem
ton has wired the Governor for per-
mission to use the State militia at Ian.
der, and has also sent telephone mes
sage to Basin and other towns asking
for volunteers to assist him in mp
holding the law.
Everywhere hardy Westerners were
responding to the call, arming them
selves and Fastening toward Thermop-
oils. The cou.try about Thermopolis Is
q wild and lawlcss one The last mes
sage from Sheriff Fenton said he still
held the prisoners, and that he believed
he could hold out until reinforcements
came. fsNN