The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1920-05-25
VERSION
Of FR|ST0E'S TALK

Joe Bell, companion OF Leonard
Fristoe, who shot and killed Consta-
BILE st. Clair and Deputy Sheriff Re-
qua, at Cherry Creek last winter, was
brought to Elko from bly, and lodged
in the Nevada state Industrial school
by Superintendent f j. Milne, says
the Elko Independent.
Mr.. Milne brought the boy into the
city, where he was examined by
physicians. He also dropped into the
Independent Office for a chat and
the writer was given an opportunity
to size up this young fellow who was
mixed up in one of the most dastardly
crimes ever committed in the history
of Nevada. Bell is young and tall,
has blue eyes and a rather pleasant
face, although ii is a very serious
n e for a boy but nineteen years of
age. He was dressed in a leather
coat and cap, and o%veralls. He stood
quietly by while Mr.. Milne and the
writer discussed the affair briefly,
but offered no comment. He did not
evince any desire to talk over his
experience. Later he left the Office
20 sit in the school car which stood
across the street, remaining there
reading a newspaper until Milne was
ready to leave for the school.
On his way to Ely after Bell. the
school superintendent met up with
Sheriff Enslow and his deputy with
Fristoe at Cobre, awaiting the arrival
Of No. 10. Fristoe was heavily ironed
The sheriff allowed Milne to discuss
matters with him for nearly an hour
and some statements never made to
any one else were to Milne during
.wenty-seven years of age, thick set.
and yellowish gray eyes, according
20 Mines description. He was very
cool and unperturbed owe his pre-
iicament, except that he expressed a
nope that he would not be required
TO spend the rest of his life in the
p~enitentiary. "If l can get out in
fourteen or fifteen years, l will be a
model prisoner during that time"
Fristoe said to Milne, "but if | can
never get out | wan them to shoot
me just as soon as they can. After
hat time passes and | see that l can
not hope to be liberated | shall ask
the prison authorities to shoot me-"
F~ristoe, when questioned concern
ng Bell, said that the boy was not
concerned in the shooting at all. st.
Clair, Fristoe said, fired the first shot
md the officers at Ely confirm the
story, according to Milne, who in
9estigated the affair at Ely before
questioning Bell. After ST. Clair
ired Bell dropped to the ground and
lis companion thought he was
Wounded. Fristoe then fired once at
st. Clair, killing him. Requa then
,pened fire, according to Fristoe,
nd he returned the fire, missing the
eptuy sheriff with the first shot but
.ropping him with the second. Fris-
oe said he felt very sorry for Requa
ut it was one or the other of them.
lie expressed no conjunction for the
illing of ST. Clair, saying that st.
lair was a bad man" and that he
yas ratified and shooting wildly"
Yhen he came up and shouted, Come
nut of there you -" Tristoe did
ay to Milne that he was sorry for
lrs. st. Clair. Il heard that they
gere willing to spend three thou
and dollars to get me the death SEN
ence," he said, but if they will guar
ntee to give the three thousand dol
ars to Mrs. st. Clair, they car shoot
le tomorrow. Fristoe also showed
lime a picture of his wife and baby
Tho live in New Mexico and seemed
o be honestly sorry for what he had
one on their account. When asked
" Milne whether Bell would be a
ard man tn caDture if he ScaDe