Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-24
kidnapping a Judge.

Squads of armed men, masked and other
wise thoroughly disguised, operated in the
interest Of the Colorado management, but
whether by its orders or acquiescence has
never been made public and is known only
to the principal actors in this surprising
legal drama who are now living, secreted
themselves at point on the Colorado
Central railroad near the crossing of Rails
ton creek and awaited the train from Den
yer which was expected to carry Receiver
Moffatt, his sureties, Judge Amherst W.
Stone, all the attorneys in the case and a
number OF other interested passengers Mr..
Monatts party, however, went by the
Boulder Valley road and thus escaped par
ticipating in the proceedings which fol-
lowed.
About noon that day there came the wild
report that the Colorado Central train had
been stopped. OF course, thousand ex-
travagant rumors caused widespread ex-
element and alarm. Visions of horrible
murder floated through the minds Of many,
for 1t was a common belief that Judge
stone would be assassfnated in cold blood
by his captors. The ominous tidings spread
to al! points in the United States reached
by wire. 1t was well known that the feel
ing against Judge Stone and his recent de-
cision was extremely bitter in Boulder and
Jenerson counties and threats of violence
mad been freely uttered when he appointed
Mr.. Monatt receiver at the demand of the
eastern capitalists
The term Of court would expire at mid
night on that day and 1t was clearly the
intention Of the kidnapers to detain tho
judge. If they refrained from killing him.
until the lapse of the term and thus prevent
the execution Of his DEGREES. The citizens
OF Jefferson. Boulder and Gilpin counties
rejoiced over this extraordinary turn of ar
fairs. The sheriff of Boulder instead of
proceeding to intercept and apprehend the
outlaws, telegraphed Governor Routt for
authority to raise fifty men for the res
cue. This was done to give them time to
get away.
Nothing was done until D. J. Cook. sheriff
OF Arapahoe county, ordered out two com
pan1es OF troops Numberless volunteers
offered their services, and the motley crowd
focked to the depot. armed with all sorts
OF weapons-shotguns. pistols, muskets. sa-
bers and carbines.
Story Of the Abduction.
Hugh Butler gave the following account
of the abduction. which Is considered the
most accurate version: Zone man entered
the car and ordered the Judge to come with
him. Judge Stone replied that he had bust
ness in Boulder and could not comply with
his request. This was repeated several
times. when second man stepped up, and,
putting the muzzle of gun in the Judges
face, said: I guess you'll come with me
Still Judge Stone refused to move, when
they seized him violently and dragged him
from the car. I attempted to follow, but
was stopped by pistol with the savage re-
mark that any man who tnterfered would
be shot,
In commenting upon the. event. public
opinion sided with the outlaws On the
morning of August 16 Judge Stone was
brought back to the Afford Hotel in Denver
and gave the following account of his ex-
periences: On being taken from the train
he was placed in closed carriage the
leader Of the armed party being seated
beside him. There were twenty-four mount
ed men,. all mounted on fine horses and all
masked or otherwise disguised
He was treated with great respect cour-
tesy and Kindness and every assurance was
given that he would suffer neither harm or
indignity at their hands. He was merely
to be detained in custody pending the lapse
OF the court. :
They informed him also that mounted
men had been stationed on all roads; that
they had waited in concealment through