The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-07-20
Jail is Battered in, Deputy
and Two White Murder
ers Are Shot Down
RANGE FEUD THREATENS
TO BECOME DISASTROUS
cattlemen Murder Shepherd and Ara
captured-Mlitia is Asked to
Guard Prisoners and Pro-
teet the Sheriff.

Red Lodge, Mont, July 1s.-Jim Cor
man, who killed his brother about year
ago and ran off with his brothers wife.
and a man named Walters, who killed
widow named Hoover at Hot Springs
years ago because she refused to marry
him, were shot to death by a mob at
Basin. Wyo.. early today. c. f. Pierce.
deputy sheriff. was killed during the
attack on the jail. A state of lawlessness
prevails In Northwestern Wyoming which
has nullihed all attempts at law and
order. From President Mofftt Of the
Montana and Wyoming Telephone COM
pany who is now making a tour of in
spection of his companys line. comes
the news Of the killing and of appeals
for help from Sheriff Fenton of Big Horn
county, who has arrested number OF
prominent eattlemen near Thermopolis.
Sheriff Fenton has appealed to the, gov
ernor Of Wyoming for assistance of mill
tia In getting his prisoners to Basin.
1t was reported to Sheriff Fenton last
Wednesday morning that a mob was
coming up to Basin from Hyattsville and
Tonstipi for the purpose of lynching
German and Walters. As measure OF
! precaution the sheriff took these two men
| and a horse thief out of the jail and
secreted them In a gully near town under
guard of Deputy sheriffs Felix Alston
and c. e. Pierce.
| German managed to slip his handcuffs
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 yesterday morning.
about fifty miles from Basin.
Mob Assaults Jail.
Last night a mob of about fifty un-
masked men rode up the east bank OF
the Big Horn and compelled the ferry
man to carry them across the river. They
made no demonstration until they en-
tered 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 pris-
oners at the time. One bullet grazed
Meades shoulder and entered Pierce's
heart. Members of the mob then quick
ly procured two telephone poles and bat
ted down the jail doors. They first came
to Walters, who was crouching in his
cell. piteously begging for mercy. No
needless torture was resorted to. Walt
! ers was shot instantly.
1 The mob found Gormon next. whose
| body was pierced by five bullets, and was
left presumably dead. He fingered, how
ever until this forenoon.
| A still more alarming state of affairs
Is reported from the vicinity of Thermop-
oils About six weeks ago, as a result OF
the range feud that has been so bitterly
waged a sheepman. Ben Minnick. was
killed by cattiemen. The sheriff, 1t Is as
serted, has captured the murderers, who
are all prominent cattlemen and whose
names have been withheld owing to
threats made against him. Sheriff Fenton
| is unable to get his prisoners to Basin. II
| is said the same mob that killed Gormon
and Walters are sympathizers and have
declared that Sheriff Fenton viii never
get out of the locality alive with his
prisoners.
Wires for Militia.
Sheriff Fenton has wired The governor Of
| wyoming for permission to use the militia
| at Landon, and has also sent telephone
| message to Basin and other towns asking
| for volunteers to assist him in upholding
| the law Everywhere hardy westerners
| are responding to the call. arming them
selves and hastenng toward Thermopolis.
| 1t is probable that the militia will be
/ ordered to the scene and bloody battle
may be fought The country about Their
| mopolis is a wild and lawless one.rThc
last message from Sheriff Fenton. which
was received this morning, said he still
| held the prisoners, and that ne believed
he could hold out until reinforcements
| came.