Semi-weekly herald., 1908-04-30

ly. On Saturday night previous to the
homicide witness said he met Mason
twice in the town OF Hespsrus. once
about g and again between and ..
First time did not speak, next time
Just for moment. Mason said "
was going over the hills In the morn
ing and wanted to know II would 70
with him. said did not care about
going, but II he would get me = horse
would do SO. Mason said he would.
Did not say anything about the pur-
pose or object of the trip. Such trips
were of frequent occurrence the past
two yearH. Had no idea what the OBJ
ject was. Next morning about 3 Ma
son called and asked II I was ready
TO go. Got the horse. l said would
take my shotgun. as might see some
game. Mason said no use to take 1t
but do as please. After getting my
horse went to bedroom for for my gun
and hunting coat. Bought gun over
year ago and paid $50 for Il; double
barreled shotgun: got to 10 shells
loaded with buckshot, good many
with smaller shot, scabbard. etc. Pre-
vious to this had used four OF the
buckshot and carried cartridges In hun
ting coat nt all times. Witness then
told about getting on horse and with
Mason starting on the road leading to
Hay gulch, and that Mason had no
gun, after going about mile took q
road leading TO u ranch owned by the
Porter Fuel company. passing through
Two gates. Witness minutely de-
scribed the route covered. crossing
from one gulch to another. and In GO
ing up one gulch observed team tied
near where the shaft is located. Wit
ness and Mason went to the top OF the
gulch, where Mason began nosing
around among the rocks. asked him
what was the matter. he replied that
some one was blanting. but could not
locate just where. We then started
for home. riding over broken coun-
try. Mason being 40 to GO feet In the
lead. After going distance he called
back and said; There goes coyote"
| alIpped two buckshot cartridges into
the gun and travelled around quite a
little. Then started to 60 home.
Coming to the brink Of the hill. Mason
said he saw a man at the air shaft.
said, Yes, do too" Mason started
down the steep hill. getting on and
walking. and also got on my horse.
was behind 15 to 20 feet Al this
point in answer to question witness
said he did not know Walker and had
never seen him to know him. nor did
not know any OF tho other government
men. Continuing down the hill. Mas
son said there was q rop tied to the
timber across the shaft, and | said
Yes" Saw man sitting at north
east corner OF shaft. We kept going
down. Mason ahead; stopped where
hill was steep and Mason asked me to
hold his horse while he went to see
what was going on. held horses by
bride reins while Mason started down
hill. Mason crossed tho gulch on n
run and started up the dump. The
man got UP and started
around left side OF shaft. He called
to Mason to stop; Mason kept going
and Walker fired. having revolver In
his right hand. When Walker fred at
Mason l fired at Walker and then
fired a second shot az Walker was in
The act of firing at Mason again; when
! fired second shot Walker was turned
sidewiss. Walker then fell back
wards, his head resing just over the
brink OF the dump Mason then un-
tied the rope and let II drop to the
bottom of the shaft: Mason did not
go around Walker or touch him. Re-
turning to where l WAS. Mason said:
you have saved my life" While
shooting my horse got away; catching
the horse. we walked to tho bottom OF
the gulch and then rode home to He's
perus. Witness said he was about 50
feet from Walker when he fred. while
Mason was about 15 feet away. Wit
ness said he did not 10 to the dump
and neither he nor Mason examined
the body. At the time witness said he
did not know who he had shot. ma
son had no gun At the time. Witness
thought shooting took place about IL
o'clock.