The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-08

in few glasses Of the product Of the last.
named always returned in an orderly man
ner, and no trouble had thus far occurred.
july 4 was beautiful day; and the FIRST
Terrill, Troop A. I'd L. s. Cav. In his
best uniform, with horse and equipments
scrupulously clean, be rode to the ranch,
where he found Reptoe installed with some
of his boon companions. Several soldiers
passed in and out during the morning, who
afterward testified under oath that Reptoe,
with some slight excuse, endeavored to
quarrel with Terrill insulting him in the
grossest manner, the Sergeant finally
knocking him down. Quiet was restored,
and others, believing the trouble 10 be over,
sauntered TO the brewery, leaving Reptos
and two other civilians alone with Terrill.
At this moment he evidently decided to join
the others, as, passing out of the main en-
trance, he turned to the left and was pro-
ceeding toward the corral, when ReptoA
suddenly wheeled. reached quickly behind
the door for a gun, which. bringing to his
shoulder, ne fired, the charge evidently
buckshot, striking Terrill in the left side
above the hip. mortally woundng him. Rep
toe then mounted his horse "a magnificent
sorrel mareD and made toward the Platte,
going up stream. The cavalrymen imme-
diately mounted and rode to the fort, Civ
ing the alarm an ambulance was buried
to the scene to bring in the body, and in
the excitement many seized horses from
the stables and rode TO intercept Reptoe
before he could pass, believing that he was
making for Laramie City. Seen by some
as they neared the river, and hard pushed,
he turned down the river bank and headed
across. In the lead of the pursuprs. and
riding one of the best horses in the resi-
ment, was Enos NJ. Watson, of Troop TT.
Gaining on the fugitive. he reached for his
revolver, only to discover that i'm his haste
he had left both belt and pistol in the sta
Bile behind him. and he was forced to see
Reptoe gain the shore and disappear in the
cottonwood timber, where he remained
short time, having the temerity to return
to the ranch and boldly declared his inten-
ton OF remaining in the vicinity
Deep mutterngs were heard the next
day, and some undeveloped scheme was evil
IDENTIFY on foot in Troop A, which material
lzed In the afternoon at , o'clock. when
nearly every enlisted man of the company
fell in and started down the road at n
trot In column of tours. Arriving at Cof-
feys, they began work of destruction
that did not end until the extensive place
was smOuldering ruin. The main build
ing was fired and destroyed first. together
with the contents, large and valuable
stock or dry goods. canned fruit. tobacco
and beer. Amid this lawlessness the store
safe was landed in the road. broken open,
the cash to the amount of $1,000 abstract
ed, no one but one man being concerned in
TINS part OF the festivities" and he at
once deserted. Strangely. this man was
never arrested, while it was well known
that he was in the vicinity of CHEYENNE the
following Autumn, and was recognized nv
his comrades on two different occasions on
the public streets.
Reptoe, making a second break for the
foothills, was captured and brought back
lt was never clear who exercised any au-
thority on this occasion, although respon-
tIai fell upon the non-commissioned officers
present; however, the prisoner was by q
mounted squad taken to the foothills one
mile distant. and shot. The troop at night
returned TO Fort Laramie. and were nearly
all arrested and confined at once, the nom
CONS. being subsequently, paroled and tenn
pOrarIly set at liberty. Finally the court
convened, and after a protracted trial the
prlvates were released and cleared of re-
sponsibility, while the punishment fell upon
two Sergeants and three CorporaIs. These
men received sentences of from three to
five years, with ball-and-chain, at hard la
Dor, and dishonorably discharged. Still
water penitentiary, Mimi, being the place
to which they were sent.
Coffey, on returning from Washington,
was surprised at what he saw before him.
and at once instituted proceedings, claim
ing indemnity from the Government for his
loss, and two years later it was reported
that a special act had been passed admit
ting the Justice of his demand and sending
him to the Court of Claims. which awarded
MIN S'5,OOO indemnity.-F. w. MIXER.