The Elbert County tribune., 1903-06-18

tered their heads from the back.
Beach. the one first hit, had fallen, but
had not lost consciousness. He tried
to crawl to the house, but the cowboys
saw the effort and fired twice at him.
both shot going through the rim of his
hat. He laid still after that. and the
men thought they had finished him.
Roy Berry, the only one of the
Berrys not killed or disabled had run
for the shelter Of sod fence and was
behind that. He saw two of the Dewey
men start to ride around so as TO get
at him, and made a dash for the house.
He was fired at several times as he ran.
but received only slight wound in the
leg As he ran he fired one shot at
Chauncey Dewey, who was standing by
his horse. He missed Dewey. but killed
the horse. This is the only shot that
was fired by any of the Berrys. The
Deweys then fired on the house and
through the windows. trying to force
Roy Berry out but they failed in this
and after time rode away.
The above facts were brought out at
the coroner's inquest from the testi-
mony of the two surviving Berrys, two
Berry women and neighbor, Capron
by name.
The coroner made out subpoenas for
the Dewey witnesses, but the deputy
sheriff was afraid TO serve them. and
so that side was not represented at the
inquest.
The sheriff and coroner were notified
of the tragedy by telegram from Roy
Berry. The young man mounted his
horse after the cowboys had gone and
rode to Bird City, where he sent a
message to the officers. They arrived
that evening, and after the inquest the
sheriff and one deputy went to the Oak
ranch to arrest Dewey and his men.
They found a picket line thrown
around the ranch. and the sheriff was
held up and made to tell his business
The officers were allowed to enter and
were received peaceably by Dewey.
However. the men refused to be arrest
, ed or lay down their arms until they
could be assured to their own satisfac-
tion that there was no danger of mob
violence.
The sheriff left his deputy at the
ranch and went to St Francis, where
he made an investigation of the condi-
tions arising from the shooting. He
found the town wildly excited and
armed men gathering from every quar-
ter of the county. The general verdict
was that the murderers should be
hanged as soon as they could be cap
iuitu- HE tOnN Ant lllal
he must have outside help. He wired
Governor Bailey for company of mill
tia that he might be able to give his
prisoners adequate protection.
The Osborne company. being nearest
to the scene of action. was ordered to
go there at once and cooperate with
the sheriff The sheriff returned to the
Dewey ranch, told them of what he had
done and then started for Colby with
Dewey and two of his men. They met
the militia at that place, and thus
guarQed marched across the country to
st. Francis On the way they stopped
at the Dewey ranch. where they were
well entertained for a night and a day.
while the officers could make more
complete investigation of the sentiment
of the people. 1t was soon found that
the utmost vigilance would be required
to keep the men out of the hands of
the mob. In true military style. there
fore. with the prisoners well surround
ed by soldiers. the remarkable journey
to st. Francis was commenced. There
was danger that an effort would be
made to pick off the Deweys by sharp
shooters. but nothing of the kind was
attempted and they arrived safely at
st. Francis.
At this time the soldiers are yet
there, keeping close guard over the
Deweys. Their camp is drawn up in
true military style and sentries pace
their beats night and day 1t will take
strong combination of settlers to
fight this aggregation successfully. and
nothing of the kind will be attempted.
The preliminary trial OF the supposed
murderers will be held tomorrow.
Tuesday June 10th. at st. Francis. The
troops will be present through all the
proceedings and martial law will OBJ
tain, just as in the trial of the feudists
in Jackiion. Kentucky.