The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-13
DIETz is GUILTY.
Jury Returns Verdict of MUIR
der in First Degree
For the Killing of Oscar Harp
at Cameron Dam.
OTHERS ACQUITTED.
Wife and Son Under Same
= Charge Go Free.
Penalty Is Imprisonment for
Life at Hard Labor.
OTHERS ACQUITTED.

Hayward, May 13.-John F. Dietz
will spend the rest of his natural life
at hard labor in the state penitentiary
at Waupun, by the verdict of the jury
today, for the murder of Deputy Oscar
Harp in the battle of Cameron Dam
on October 8, last.
The jury brought in the following
verdict:
John F. Dietz guilty of murder in
the first degree. Hattie E. Dietz. his
wife, not guilty of murder in the first
degree. Leslie Dietz, his son, not
guilty of murder in the first degree" I"
The smile with which the "old man
has always faced the things that have
happened to him, did not desert him.
He smiled as the judge read the ver-
diet handed up by the foreman of the
jury. He made no demonstration.
The verdict in John Dietz's case was
the first read. AS the verdict came
out, a frown came over the face of
Mrs. Dietz and she glared at the jury.
Leslie smiled family and the color
came and went in his face.
The announcement that the jury
had arrived at verdict was made at
S:45 o'clock. Judge Reid was imme-
diately notified and Sheriff Fred
from the clerk of the court to bring
John Dietz into the court room.
Mrs. Dietz had been with her hus-
band throughout the night and Leslie
had called this morning. The three
defendants came to the courthouse.
walking side by side, accompanied by
three special deputies.
The trouble between John F. Dietz
and the lumber companies operating
in Sawyer county began in February,
1904, through Dietz refusing to allow
the companies to flow logs over the
Cameron dam on a quarter section
bought by Mrs. Dietz, without paying
him the toll he demanded. In the ten
principal attempts to capture him on
various charges and legal processes,
Oscar Harp, a deputy sheriff, was
killed. October S last. several men
were wounded, Myra Dietz was shot
through the body, Clarence Dietz was
wounded in the forehead and John
Dietz was shot through Iheshand.
The shooting of Bert Horel at Win
ter, Wis, by Dietz September last is
more or less closely traceable to the
original trouble.
The tenth armed effort to take Dietz
was successful and he became a prls-
oner October s last. He was charged
with various offenses, ranging from
destruction of property and assault
and battery to murder in the first de-
gree Mrs Dietz and Leslie were de-
PENDANTS in the murder case. They,
Myra and Clarence and John Dietz are
defendants in other actions pending
against the family.
Owing to the Unexpectedly early YER
dict the court room was occupied only
by those who have followed every move
in the trial from the beginning.
There was a moments silence follow
ing the reading of the verdict. The
court then asked John Dietz to stand
up. 'Mr. Dietz," said the judge, "have
you anything to say before sentence is
passed."
Dietz calmly faced Judge Reid.
DO you suppose" he asked looking
straight at the judge. Il haven't known
that sooner or later the lumber trust
because it is big and I am little. would
kill me or put me out of the way?
have fought my fight and defended my
home and family. 1 have done moth.
ing wrong and this conviction does moi
alter the fact. The trust has one creed
one law, one purpose. That is rule ol
ruin They could not rule John D1etz
So they tried for six years to ruin him
This morning it looks as if they have
got what they were after.
'I have done nothing wrong and tn,
state has. And yet it is the state