Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-05-25
Clearwater Youth Makes Murder.
Gus Assault on Enemy.
MANY HOURS
Young Ruffian Makes Good His
Escape from Constable.

'ouidIIllS ONcI bcVoIo Uo8tluK
received from Bert Rideout, lumber
jack Of the Clearwater country, Silas
Mcpherson, youth of twenty, dealt
the first named party series Of
blows with lead knuckle last Sun
day which almost resulted in a muir
der in the ordinarily quiet village Of
Clearwater. Luckily, however, for
the Young Mcpherson, his victim
regained consciousness and it now
looks as though he will recover.
The trouble dates back to several
months ago at which time Mcpherson
received severe beating at the hands
of Rideout and has harbored revenge
since, stating that he would get even.
Sunday ball game was in progress
at the Clearwater town and along
about four o'clock in the afternoon,
at the conclusion of the game, Nc
Pherson stepped up behind his victim.
reaching around his shoulder, dealt
him a cowardly blow with q lead
knuckle across the forehead. Ride
out, seeing the shadow of his antag-
onists arm, was able to dodge to one
side and thus avoid the full force.
However, the blow staggered him and
several others given full in the face
landed him unconscious upon the
ground. In the meantime the crowd
rushed up but before they were able
to overpower Mcpherson he kicked
his victim viciously in the back of
the neck. The condition Of Rideout
was considered grave at the time and
for while his recovery seemed rather
doubtful. However, Monday morn
ing he regained consciousness and was
able to speak of the tragedy. Nc
Pherson, who does not bear an envi-
able reputation in those parts, comes
from family of fighters and seemed
intent upon putting the lumberjack
out of business.
He was taken in charge by Con-
stable Ruark, who telephoned the
sherif's Office at Grangeville Sunday
evening, detailing the tragedy and
stating that on account of feeling
running high he had grave doubts
about being able to protect the pris-
oner.
Sheriff Overman instructed him to
deputize sufficient number Of men
and proceed toward Grangeville stat
ing he would leave at once for Clear
water and meet the party on the
route
| A party of several deputies and the
prisoner started for the county-seat
but when several miles from Clear
water the prisoner sprang out OF the
rig and took down canyon through
the brush. Several shots were fired
, at the retreating figure and search
, of the immediate country made, how
ever he had made good his escape.
Sheriff Overman and Deputy Quin-
Ian were met at Harpster by deputy
and told of the escape. The Sheriff,
in company with several local men,
searched the country all night and the
next day but could not locate his man.
: No blame whatever can be attach
: ed to the sherif's Office but it does
;. seem the constable and his deputies
bringing the man out should havt
: exercised a little more care and NOT
! have been caught off their guard.
That the crime was premeditatet
i and the graver results anticipated
:. can not we'll be denied for the knuck
lie seems to have been made with al
idea as to its death-dealing qualities
weighing pound and six ounces, ant
was placed on a hand covered by
. mitten by the young ruffian. !
le seems he intend ed to settle things TO
: all time to come with the lumberjacl
J; and came very near doing SO.