Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1905-05-06
GETS FOURTEEN YEARS
A Clever stratesem and Rapid Justice
Executed Thursday Niaht

Weber, accused of assault with intent
to kill, was asleep in his cell at the
State Prison. At 5 o'clock yesterday
ing he was IN the same cell, convicted
of the crime Of which he Lad been
accused, and sentenced to fourteen
years CONTINENT for the same.
The incidents leading up to this de-
movement were probably the most rap-
id in action and the most dramatic
that ever attended a similar case III
the State Of Nevada.
Weber, on January goth last entered
the home Of James Harper, PROM
inent citizen Of Reno and assailed Mrs
Harper with an axe, infiicting Injuries
from which it was first thought she
would die The excitement in Ren1
was tremendous and the escape vi the
negro from death at the hands OF
mob was due only to the superhuman
exertions and clever strategy OF Frank
Ferrel, the newly-elected Sheriff OF
Washoe county. who Snuggled thu
prisoner out OF town on special train
and conveyed him to the State Prison
for safe keeping
Notwithstanding the length of time
that elapsed since the commission Of
the crime. the nature of the deed and
the public passions engendered hereof
have not permitted the rath of the
people TO slumber, and it was openly
confessed that should it be a year un-
til thereturn OF the criminal he would
meet with a speedy and awful death.
The rope of the lyncher was commoG-
ly spoken of as the proper medium OF
retribution, and it was generally IN
derstood that the majority of the pop
ulace favored burning at the stake as
the proper method OF punishment.
Understanding this to De the state of
public sentiment the peace officers Of
Washoe county fully realized what
difficult and delicate task lay before
them in saving the offender from an
instant and horrible death at the
hands of a mob.
1t was this that led Sheriff Terrell
to adopt clever stategem to save
his prisoner and possible the lives of
other citizens. MIR. Ferret was fu-
years an otticer OF the Washington
penitentiary and in that capacity &C
ri he
of bloodhounds. 1t was he who sofa
to the State Prison the bloodhounds
purchased couple of years ago.
There has been q litter of pups al the
prison for the past few weeks ana ny
previous agreement it was unde.'
stood that Mr.. Ferrel was to train
them. He came TO Carson Friday,
ostensibly fer taking the dogs away,
but really 10 make arrangements FIR
the transfer OF Weber. AT the sam
time Deputy Branton arrived from
Reno by team and was placed in Sc
clusion at Shaw's Springs.
Sheriff FerIel secured the pups and
care of them. His arrival at REM
in charge CT the animals quoted all
rumOrs as to the purpose OF his visit t
Carson, and paved the way for the su,
cessful TOR his deputy in charge o.
Weber.
A few minutes after o'clock War
y, -xl1 I, :.
cell and quickly attiring him in {:
pair of overhalls and an OvercOat bus
tied him into a surrey and started for
the appointed rendezvous. at the juno
ton CT Shaws Springs and the Lake
view road Being slightly ahead o.
time he continued On the road to tn,
springs and when close to that reso"
met Deputy Branton to whom he lie
livered his man. When first take!
from his cell Weber was great
frightened and doubtless thought h
was being looked for by mob. bL
soon regained his composure and wa
inclined to jest about his condition.
Deputies BrantOn and Spar. had
coed team and landed their prisone
in Reno at 12:11 O'cslOck Judge Gu;
Ter. Sheriff Ferrel, Deputy Sheriff Ma
we'll District Attorney Craig and Z
l.. Williams. who was to represen
the prisoner. were in waiting. and ir
side of seven minutes Weber was .
raigned. plead guilty. and was start.
back for Carson An electric ligt
displayed in front of the COURTEOUS
and lighted at the opportCne momel
was the guide for the arrival OF tn
carriage that took him back So prt
foundly secret were the arrangement
that not a citizen CT Reno outside +;
: those mentioned were aware OF wis