Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-12-07
! " Pruitt Confesses to Killing
Of E. c. Ruckef.
BpTQDON TO save own LIFE
Occurred Nov. 5th in
Remote Mountain District.

On last Saturday morning, Samuel
Y lPruitt. q raw-boned mountain
an walked into Sheriff Overman's &
Lsce and stated to the sheriff he
r;.hed to surrender himself to the
Enthorities for the killing Of his part
q. E. C. Rucker on the morning Of
November 5th, in a remote section Of
[he mountains, forty-fve miles from
IA mining camp Of Dixie. He stated
q the officers that following q row
k,tveen the two men he had been
HACKED by Rucker and was COM
balled to kill him to save his life.
According to the story Of Pruitt he
IndE. C. Rucker had been in the
keuntalns since last May, prospecting
Iadmining with more or less success
kud this winter the pair established
fhsir headquarters on the Salmon
k;yer. in wild section Of the country,
'ls nearest human being being at the
Eakn placer mine, located eighteen
has down the river. The two men
la prepared for winters trapping
bpd everything was agreeable until
sa1ly in November when trouble arose
btseen the two. According to the
tsry told by the man who surrender
bd6aturday, on the morning Of No
Fmber fifth he was awakened by
Rhcker who arose and stated he was
bong to secure the ak at the wood
bikto the rear of the cabin and
Efsck vengeance on his partner.
Pnitt, realizing the state Of mind Of
Die man, jumped from his bunk and
sAbbing his Winchester, fed from
DE cabin, hotly pursued by Rucker,
Yielding the ak in the air, and shouting
othe fleeing man that he intended
killing him. Pruitt tried to make
ls escape but was SO hotly pursued
BY the raving trapper that he turned
lnd fred in selfdefense, the bullet
fntering the body from the left side,
pnder his arm, and death resulting.
Growing frantic over his deed,
Pruitt secured the body and tying q
pack OF rocks to the same. cast II into
p eddy of the Salmon river. Worry
ng over his act he decided to seek
flylllzation and inform others of the
ragedy, He took boat and rowed
Povn the river to the Eakin property
mere e, he recited his story to the men
the camp and was accompanied
ack by tourist by the name of
elder Of Payette and one Fenny, a
nlner. The river was dragged for
everal miles from the point where the
,0dy was supposed to have been
afoWn IN but without avail and the
sf'v returned with Pruitt in charge,
'no was accompanied out by the two
len Is Tar as Golf and left with the
lsl,uctlons to continue on his way
nGrangeville and surrender to the
leers which he did arriving here
hday night.
Fruit, who is man Of fortv-five
aB OF age and was born in Oregon
'a'e ne has no living relatives and
- ,oliowed the occupation OF ranch
aoa most of his life. Previous to
vmlng ~. to u Idaho county this year he
Msea for several ranchers over at
sNston, Montana, who have been
'.'u,unlcated ! with by the prosecut-
s. a'1orney but up to the present
.S no reply has been received. He
All, dark Completed fellow and
= ~ intelligent face. He has never
=, Gays schooling but seems to
IS picked up a very fair education.
n ,esls mighty bad over the tragedy
~. "nen talking Of the same breaks
ns a. lis story told to the prosecut-
na ..tofney . seems perfectly feasible
AL We straightforward manner in
onesty. ono u n'A
81 &C. ssaIeh &c will be made by the off.
wall dna the location Of the wound
{ra;,. ea "a as :. the description given by
u. Nv. ol the manner in which the
81. was clad and other statements
nj " hlm can be substantiated he
!. - released. In the meantime
ws;t;Osa Oelng 7, held in the county Jail