The Delta independent., 1917-06-15


down from Escalante Canon that Ben
Lowe and Cash Sampson we're both
dead, having met. quarreled, shot and
killed each other.
The tragedy was one which, in ear
lier years would not have occasioned
SO much of surprise and horror. for
such things were more frequent oc-
currence, but even at this time many
in the region anticipated trouble be-
tween these two men and some of the
neighbors had been discussing poss-
ible means of preventing it.
The two little boys of Lowe were
the only witnesses to the tragedy.
Both Lowe and Sampson had eaten
dinner at the Musser cattle camp
Lowe and his two boys rode off after
dinner and little later Sampson also
rode away. intending to ride a lower
mesa. Their different trails intersect-
ed where the shooting took place.
The little boys said they were ordered
by their father to ride on. They start
ed but hearing the men quarreling and
their words followed by shots. they
turned and were not more than 25 or
80 feet away from the spot where
the two men were killed. They saw
their fathers horse take to the cedars,
their father swaying in the saddle.
Saw him turn and shoot at Sampson.
About this time they say their father
fell to the ground. calling to Bobbie.
He dragged himself to a nearby stump.
firing two more shot at Sampson. who
had already dropped to the ground.
This was the evidence at the inquest
held in the court house here Mon
day. The inquest was by county cor
oner Taylor. of Mesa county. the
shooting having occurred within the
border of the neighboring county. and
the testimony was taken by District
Attorney VIM. Weiser. of Grand juno
ton. The verdict OF the corners jury
was that each had come to his death
at tie hands of the other. intent un-
known.
Both funerals were held in Delta on
Wednesday of this week, that of Ben
Lowe taking place from the Baptist
church at ten in the forenoon and
that of Cash Sampson from the Pres
byterian church at o'clock in the
afternoon. Burial in Delta cemetery.
Cash Sampson was 46 years old and
unmarried. He held the office of
State Stock Inspector for a long term
then resigned that to be elected sheriff
of Delta county. In turn he resigned
the office of sheriff before his term
expired and was reappointed stock in
spector This office he again resign
ed to buy a stock ranch in Escalante
Canon, where he met his tragic death.
He was generally popular and we'll
known to practically everybody on
the Western Slope. He was regarded
as an excellent citizen and when in
office brave and efficient officer.
Ben Lowe was also well known loo
ally. He had been of the Wild West
type and had figured in a good many
little scrapes some years ago whel
drinking seven years ago and his ac
quaintances say has not since touched
drop of liquor. He was of a stub
born disposition, deep in his dislike
friendly light. but had the reputation
of being extremely good hearted aud
kind to his friends. He married a
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. r. C. Hutch
farmer families of the lower Gunnis1E
River Valley. and one of the most
estimable of women. They hsl three
children. Maxine. the sweetest OF
being the Oldest. The old
est of the two boys is 13. From his
oldest brother John T. Lowe. County
Commissioner of Logan County, Kan
sas. who arrived Tuesday with four
other members of the family, lnde-
pendent was given the following bit
of history: Ben was born in the State
of Missouri in the year 1867. He would
have been 80 years old the 21st OF
this month. There were eight of the
Lowe boys and none OF the family
had died in fifty years. The mother
is still living at the age of 76. but is
in poor health at present. She married
a second time, her present husbands
name being Holsapple. The family
we're originally from Indiana, near
Kokomo. They now live at Winona.