The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-20
State of LawlesSnesS Prevails in
the Surrounding Territory
Sheriff Calls for Help.
MILITIA MAY BE SUMMONED.
Sheriff Fenton Has Two Cattlemen
in Custody at Thermopolis
and Fears Attempt of
Mob at Rescue.

Red Lodge. Mont. July l9.-Jim German
| who killed his brother about a year age
and ran off with his brothers wife. and {
man named Walters. who killed widow by
| the name of Hoover at Hot Springs two
| years ago. because she refused to marry
| him. were lynched at Basin. Wy. early to-
| day
| c. E. Pierce. Deputy Sheriff, was killed
| during the attack on the jail
| state of lawlessness now prevails ir
| Northwestern Wyoming. All law and order
seems to have been abolished. From Presi,
| dent Moffett of the Montana 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 al
| appeal for help from Sheriff Fenton of Big
| Horn County. He has arrested number
| of prominent cattlemen near Thermopolis
and has appealed TO the Governor of Wyom
| ing for assistance of the militia in getting
| his prisoners to the Basin.
SHERIFF WARNED.
| 1t was reported to Sheriff Fenton last
| Wednesday morning that mob was coming
up to Basin from Hiattsville and Tonslip
| for the purpose of lynching German and
Walters. As a measure Of precaution the
out of the Jail and secreted them in gully
near town under guard of Deputy Sheriffs
Felix Aston and C. E. Pierce.
German managed to slip his handouts
| and make his escape He swan the Big
Horn River, an unprecedented feat, and
made for the mountains a posse of seven
men quickly organized and German was
| recaptured early yesterday morning about
fifty miles from Basin.
Last night mob of about fifty unma sked
men rode up the east bank Of the Big Horn
and compelled the ferryman to carry them
across the river. They made no demon
stration until they entered Basin, when five
shots We're fired as a warning.
FIRED INTO JAIL.
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 quickly procured
two telephone poles and battered the jail
doors down. They first came to Walters
who was crouched in his cell piteously beg
ging for mercy. No needless torture was
resorted to. Walters was shot instantly
The mob next found German. whom they
shot five times. He was left presumably
dead, but fingered, however until this fore
noon.
A still more alarming state of affairs is
reported from the vicinity of Thermopoiis.
About six weeks ago, as result of the
range feud that has been SO bitterly waged.
a sheepman. Ben Minnick. was killed by
cattlemen. The Sheriff, 1t Is asserted has
captured the murderers, who are prominent
cattlemen and whose names have been
withheld owing to threats made against
him.
SHERIFF FEARS MOB.
Sheriff Fentcn is unable to get his prison.
ers to Basin. 1t is said the same mob that
lynched German and Walters are sympa-
thizers. and have declared that Sheriff Fem
ton will never get out of the locality alive
with his prisoners.
Sheriff Fenton has telegraphed the Gov
ernor of Wyoming for permission to use the
State militia at Lander and also has sent a
telephone message to Basin and other towns
asking for volunteers to assist him in up.
holding the law.
Everywhere hardy westerners are re-
spending to the call, armng themselves
and Fastening toward Thermopolis. 1t Is
probable that the militia will be ordered to
the scene and bloody battle may be
fought. The country about Thermopoiis is
wild and lawleSS one.
The last message from Sheriff Fenton
which was received this morning said he
still held the prisoners and that he be-
lieved he could hold out until REINFORCE
ments came.