The daily sentinel., 1908-10-23

Facing this sensational charge the
young man was arraigned in the
court of Justice j. p. Sweeney this
morning for a preliminary hearing
He was represented by Attorney Ben
Griffith. His father, well known
lower valley ranchman. accompanied
his son to the court room and re-
mained at his side during the hear
! ing.
The prosecution was conducted by
Attorney Barney Welsh, acting as
deputy district attorney.
A number of cattlemen and cow
boys were in the court room to hear
the evidence.
Judging by the evidence brought
out and the differences made by the
prosecution in its questions and state
ments, most sensational case is
pretty certain to develop If the case
comes to trial in the district court.
The first witness placed on the
stand was dairyman named Stevens,
and who was for more than twenty
years cowboy. This dairyman op-
crates dairy in Grand Junction He
testified that on Saturday night
Sept. 5, he attempted to locate some
yearlings that he had on the hills
west and across the river from the
city. He could not locate them. Af-
ter making inquiries and investiga-
tions he was lead to believe that his
cattle had been driven away by some
person or persons. He appealed to
an officer, telling the latter that on
several occasions in past years he
had had cattle driven away and that
he could i'll afford to lose any more
and he wanted protection If any
could be obtained. He stated that
the officer replied. We'll, | guess
there are many others in your fix"
Stevens then told of finding the
trail of his cattle near where he had
them grazing. That he found where
they were Joined by another bunch
of cattle that seemed to have been
driven down from No Thoroughfare
Canon Stated that there were horse
hoof marks behind the consolidated
bunch of cattle, indicating that men
were behind them driving them. He
further testified that he traced the
bunch of cattle by the trail to point
near the Kinney home. not far from
Rhone and then to a point on the
river Just opposite the island. He
saw the cattle on the little island
His pony had given out and as it was
late he returned home.
On Monday. Sept. T. he returned
to the point on the river, crossed
over, after noting that there were
still good many cattle on the island.
| On the island he found all his miss
| ing cattle. they being off in bunch
/ to themselves acting as though they
We're under strange circumstances.
He also saw cattle bearing the brand
of the Seiber Cattle com pany, cattle
bearing other brands that he was not
familiar with. Said there were about
thirty head in all on the island. He
found Mr. Kinney and two sons over
there working on a fence. He told
them that he was after his cattle and
pointed them out. They suggested
that the cattle had strayed to the
island and made no objection to Mr.
Stevens taking them away. The
island contains about 100 acres.
Stevens made his cattle swim
across to the shore and drove them
home.
Stevens said that he did not sec
any signs on the island Indicating
that cattle had recently been butch
cred. Said that he saw the head of
a steer near the Kinney home but
saw no hide.
Stevens testified that there seemed
to be about thirty head of cattle in
the bunch that he trailed on Sept .,
from the range to the point on the
river opposite the island
When asked If he believed that
cattle would swim the river to get
onto the island at that time of the
year, under existing conditions and
with MOSQUITOES bad on the river. un-
less they were forced to do so. MIR.
Stevens stated that judging from his
extended knowledge and experience
in handling cattle, he did not believe
the cattle would have crossed the
river unless made to do so. He was
positive that his cattle would not
have done so, as they were very gem
tie.
stevens was put under severe
cross examination by Attorney Grif-
fifth but his story was not shaken. He
seemed to make no effort to be par
tiai to one side or the other in his
testimony.
Told Him of Crime.