Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-10-12

him closer to a horseshoe shaped breast
work of stone built by the elder Dietz
during his trouble with the lumber COM
panies four years ago.
In this breastwork, which Dietz calls
his stronghold, " Deputy Jack Britten
was concealed, having crawled to it be-
fore daybreak from the woods hun
bred yards or so in the rear. In these
woods, along the edge of the clearing.
a score or more deputies covered Brit
tens position.
WHOLE FAMILY AIDED
The courier said the strategic posi-
ton of the defenders was excellent. In
the cabin Dietz and his wife guarded
the front of the clearing, while the rear
approach Of the building was command
ed by Leslie Dietz and his younger sis
ter.
The youngsr boy, too small to handle
rifle or revolver, was believed to be
in the cabin with his father and mother
loading and cleaning their rifles, as he
was enough of hand with gun to
have performed that service and leave
his parents free to give their undivided
attention to the besieging force in front
of them.
SISTER AND BROTHER ESCAPE
At the time Leslie Dietz was out af-
ter the cows the other members of the
family were busy at their usual morn
ing tasks. Dietz and his wife were in
the cabin when the firing started, but
their daughter, Helen, was starting to
help Leslie round up the cows.
AS Helen approached her brother
Deputy Britten called upon the latter
to surrender. Leslie made no reply,
but turned toward the house and ran as
| fast as he could. Britten fired at him,
and then four other deputies jumped up
hundred yards in the rear and also
fired.
Leslie continued to run, unhit by any
of the bullets, while Helen sought ref
uge in the barn.
TALK WHILE UNDER FIRE
When Leslie reached the shelter of
the barn he turned and fired three shots
from his revolver at Britten, without
effect. Apparently he did not know his
sister was in the barn, for he kept on
running toward the house when he saw
he could not hit Britten, and was ex-
posing himself to the fire of the other
deputies.
when Leslie was half way between
the barn and the house, running, mis-
father stepped out TO meet him. The
boy then stopped running and walked
defiantly to the elder Dietz. The two
paused moment, as if to talk over the
situation, but the riflemen by that time
had got the range and half dozen bull
lets kicked up the dust at the feet of
the father and son who jumped for the
doorway Of the cabin.
After that there was 10 cessation OF
| firing on either side, and at Ills. just
| two hours and a half after the first
shot, while an average of fifteen min
ute were rafting against the logs and
| throwing dirt against the cabin, Leslie
ran from the house to the barn appar-
emily uninjured.
AT 800 Dietz's daughter Helen APP
peared in the clearing in front Of the
cabin bearing a white flag. Her ap-
pearance was the signal for cessation
| of the deputies fire. No shots had
come from the house for several min
utes before the little girl appeared.
GIRL CONES WEEPING
She walked bravely across the clear
ing and was met few yards from the
edge of the woods by Sheriff Madden.
She was weeping and said her father
had been shot in the head. She also
said he would surrender if guaranteed
safe conduct into Winter with his fami-
| ly.
an see that no man hurts a hair Of
| his head, " replied Sheriff Madden.
sHERiFF's THOROUGH PLANS
When Dietz had second time refus-
ed TO yield TO the solicitations Of Gov.
| Davidson's peace ENJOYS, Attorney
| General Gilbert and Private Secretary
Munson, Sheriff Madden, who wished
| to avoid bloodshed if possible, and who
had exhausted every suggestion that
might promise the arrest Of the outlaw
without sacrifice Of life, knew that the
time for action had come. AS sheriff
of the county he had warrant for the
arrest Of Dietz for shooting HOrel. 1t
was his duty 10 make the arrest and he
was going to do his duty.
| The sheriff's plans had been careful