River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-04-14
THE 1ONI0ER
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in, and lodged in jail The against them
was clear. They were found with the stolen
property; some of them did not even attempt
to make denial. Their examining trial was
held at Plemons, the county seat of Hutchin
son county, and the settlers gathered from far
and near for that event. The trial was held in
a big barn of place, and the prisoners were
bound over to the district court The Rangers
were preparing to tale them to Panhandle
City, where there were LATER and more commo-
dious quarters, when the sheriR-who had al
ready distinguished himself by setting free the
prominent young outlaw first captured-ap-
peared and demanded the prisoners, on the
ground that being sheriff of that county, they
could not be removed without his consent. The
Ranger captain promptly informed him that
sheriff or no sheriff, he had shown his d1squalt-
fcations for that Office, and that these prison
ers would be taken to more secure quarters
than he seemed willing to provide. The Off
Ger departed, and presently mustered crowd,
armed with Winchesters. Then he appeared
once more before Capt. Bill produced the law
which under proper conditions might have sup
ported him in his demand, and again declared
that he would have those prisoners, or that
there would be boodshed and several Ranger
funerals. Capt Bill promptly called his men
together.
1--WE are not going to stand any foolishness,"
he said eff an attempt is made to take these
prisoners cut down any one who takes hand
in it. Come, let's move on now. and get these
men in jail"
The crowd that had gathered expected bat
tle then and there, but nothing of the kind
took place. The sheriff's armed bluff had been
called. Later in the day, he obtained writ
of habeas corpus, but it was not effective for
the reason that the men had been committed
under bond At all events it was not effective
so long as Mcdonald and his Rangers were
in charge of the jail.
1t was now evident that conviction of these
offenders was not to be expected in that coun-
ty Most of them had official influence OF one
kind or another. In fact, there appeared to be
nobody except those whose property mad sur
fered who seemed concerned in bringing these
bandits to justice.
With such overwhelming evidence Mcdonald
was determined if possible to secure their pun
ishment and eventually was instrumental in
getting their cases distributed and sent to 9TH
er counties for trial. Even SO, they managed
to evade the law. Through influence of one
kind or another, and the cooperation of off,
cals-former associates, perhaps in the bust
ness of crime-their cases were one by one
dismissed; this in spite of the fact that one
of the men confessed and gave direct testi-
mony against the others of the gang.
Notwithstanding this miscarriage of justice,
the general effect of McDonald's vigorous pros
ecution was wholesome. The members of
that band either left for remoter territory.
decided to reform.
1t was strange indeed that Mcdonald did not
happen to get killed" in those busy days of
the early nineties One of the favorite VOWS
of the "Panhandler" was to shoot Bill Melon
aid on sight. But there was suddenness and
vigor about Bill McDonald's manner and meth
cd that was very bad for VOW like that when
the moment for its execution arrived. STILL
there were those who tried to make good, and
one of these, duly assisted, came near being
successful. He would have succeeded, no
doubt, If he had had time.
That mans name was John Pierce Matthews,
which became simply John Pierce after its
owner got the drop steamboat captain one
day in Louisiana and shot him dead. He took
his new name with him to the Panhandle
where, in due time he got the drop on another