Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-07-24
WEALTHY RANCHER
MAKES HIS ESCAPE
Ernest Empey Is Safe and His
AbduCtOr Is Lodged In
Idaho Jail

Idaho Falls, Idaho, July 24.-After
narrowly escaping lynching at the hands
OF lnturate cowboys, Lon Dean, a sheen
herder, alleged abductor Of Ernest En-.
pey, a well known rancher, who was
held prisoner in u little hut on Sheep
mountain since last Saturday awaiting
the payment of ransom of $4,000
which had been demanded, =, was placed
in Jail here early today.
Dean is declared to have confessed
that he abducted Empey and said TO
have stated that his reasons for doing
so were that he could have used the
money he expected to realize to good
advantage. At the time of his escape
late yesterday afternoon Empey was
chained to tree while Denn was tax.
ing a nap. Kidding himself of his
bonds, Empey made his way down the
mountain side where he encountered
several forest rangers who escorted him
to Montpelier. Empey Is none the worse
for his experience today.
After discovering that Empcy had
escaped, Dean abandoned the mountain
but with the evident intention of max.
ing his escape. He had not gone far
however until he was surrounded by q
posse of cowboys and captured.
Relieved Of the terrible stain under
which they have been for the last week,
Empey's relatives were almost hysteri
cal with joy today. The abductor had
threatened to kill Empey if his father,
+. $. Empey, failed to pay the $4,000
ransom by midnight tonight
Believing that his sons life would
pay the forfeit, Empey had arranged to
acquiesee TO the desperate = demands
and the money was all ready to be
turned over to him tonight when news
Of the young mans escape reached
here.
Seldom has this region Of Idaho been
so wrought up, and little groups Of
men were standing about the streets
talking over the episode in low tones.
Although most of them were agreed that
Dean should be severely dealt with, no
direct threats Of lynching were heard
after the band of cowboys who had de.
termined on summary execution, were
reasoned into allowing the law TO take
its course.
In Jail here today Dean talked freely
Of the abduction of Empey He said he
arrived in Idaho Falls July 8, purchased
the chain with when he bound Empey
and established camp on Sheep noun
tain where the plans for the abduction
were made
Dean denied that he intended to kin
Empey il he had not received the ran.
som, but would probably have held him
captive for several weeks.
Dean said he had been sheep herd
er all Of his life, having worked for
Empey az one time, and desiring 10 90
into business for himself know Of no
crsier way Of securing the necessary
funds than by seizing the young rancher
for hanson.
Empey said today that Dean had
treated him fairly well, Feeding him on
provisions stolen from sheep camps.
Dean shared his bed with him, Empey
said hut chained him securely at night
by winding the iron links about bis
body and legs and locking them in the
back.
\ surprise would have awaited Dean
when hc received the ransom money for
Empcy's release, as it was learned ~.
day that Sheriff Adams, Of Jefferson
county; Police Chief Larry Hanson, of
ldalh Falls aud William /. Wllsic
western superintendent Of the Pinker
/ tom agency would have been concealed
in the wagon in which the gold was ID
bp conveyed