Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1911-08-18
COLFAX ROBBERY
ENDS in MURDER
Lee Cantreli, Colfax Saloon Propri-
etor, Shot and Killed by Robber.
Murderer Arrested


Last Monday evening at $3.50, dur
ing a commotion in the rear of the
Last Chance bar in Colfax. Ia which
the cash register was temporarily de-
serted, an unknown man entered the
place, Jumped over the bar and rob
bed the cash register. Just as he was
turning to leave the place, Lee Can
trell, proprietor, grappled with the
man, who opened fire, shooting Cam
trell through the body, from which
wound he died at one o'clock Tues
day morning. The man fired another
shot at bystander and then climbed
over the bar and ran out of the
place. At the same time Deputy Sher-
if Cole and Deputy Prosecuting At
torney Stotler drove along the street
in front OF the saloon, they having
Just returned from trip to Cakes
dale and were on their way to the
garage. Noticing something wrong in
side the saloon they stopped the car
and Cole got out and started toward
the saloon just as the murderer was
coming out, The man fired three
shots at Cole. who was unarmed, the
first taking effect in the left arm.
The other two shots went wild. The
man then turned and ran down Main
street north. crossed the river and got
on the DIV. X. & n. tracks which,
II vas learned later. he followed I'M
III he came to a wheat field into which
he fled. Posses from the sheriff's of
flee We're out all night but failed to
find any trace of the fugitive. Tues
day afternoon Frank Schneider, who
lives southwest of Colfax, near Mock
enema, called up the sheriff's office
saying that man answering the de-
scription of the murderer had appli-
ed at his place for food, and on be-
ing refused, emptied his gun at them
and then started toward Diamond.
Mr. Schneider at once organized a
posse of several of his threshing
crew and when Deputy Sherffs Eas-
tep and Ritz arrived on the scene
about four O'Clock Mr. Schreiber's
party had taken the man in tow.
All of the farmers were armed with
Winchesters and when the fugitive
saw there was no escape he gave up
without resistance. although his gun,
a 32 Iyer Johnson, was loaded and
he had number of shells in his
pocket.
The man admitted that he did the
shooting and gave his name as Carl
Weems. age 90, and says that he has
three sister and one brother all re-
siding. when last heard from. in New
Orleans, Ala. He says that he had
been working in the harvest fields
near Endicott and had STA when he
came to Colfax last Saturday. He
Co. went broke and then conceived
the idea of robbing the saloon. He
said he had no intention of killing
anyone, but he had to shoot Can
trell or lose the booty and that his
only thought in shooting at Cole was
to scare him, and that 1t was an ac-
cident that he hit him He had S43.35
on his person when caught, mostly
in silver, but 1t is thought that in
his flight he must have lost some
money, as the bar tender at the Last
Chance claims they are short about
500.
Monday night Deputy Sheriff Eas-
tep took into custody man naned
l.. l.. Mard, at the fair grounds, who
answered the description OF the fug-
tive, and found wicked looking
gun on his person, but he was releas-
ed on the admission of Weems that
he was the guilty party.
Tuesday afternoon Judge Neill APP
pointed U. L. Ettinger and c. F.
Voorhees, as counsel for the defend
ant and the latter was given until
Saturday, Aug. 18th. at o'clock to
plead.
Deputy Cole is reported to De out
OF danger, as the bullet has been re-
moved and the chances Of Other COM
3Iicatlons are considered slight.