The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1924-11-13
Thurston's Explanation.

RUNNER robbery and knew nothin
about it until ! was arrested sal
ihurston last evening. II read in tn
papers Of the killing Of the Levi,
ton officer and this is the first
knew that anyone had been hurt.
tnen knew must get out of til
country, SO went to Rosalia and too
ear, intending to drive to California
just before I reached Plummer
punctured tire, and when / arrive
IN Plummer the stores were closed an,
noticed there was excitement there
then drove out of town and wen
INTO camp, intending to return in til,
morning and get some tire patchin,
equipment. The Officers arrested m,
before | had started to town.
i left Lewiston on the night 0.
the bank robbery and shooting in tn,
Lewiston Orchards. / left Myers neai
the car and was to meet him on tht
river bank few minutes later. re
turned to the car and got what
wanted and then started for the river
bank, intending to meet Myers at 1
point higher up on the river, because
he had turned too much toward the
bridge when he descended the slope
As | approached the river l saw a
man with a gun and heard some shoot.
ing farther up the river. concluded
Myers and been discovered and was
into another mixup. / cached the
money I was carrying and have told
Chief Gasser where he can find it.
then skirted the town and reached
the Clearwater river near the auto
park. l thought could wade the
river but found I had to swim. !.
/ III succeeded in reaching the north
shore and crossed into the foothills.
[ turned down the river and struck
the highway near the sign that di-
rects the driving of livestock over an
Did road. ] followed this old road,
came into the highway again after
had reached the top of the hill, and
walked practically all night. In the
morning I buried myself in a straw
tack and remained there several
lours. Later / moved ON and caught
passenger train at Pullman, riding
he blind baggage into the suburbs OF
spokane.
walked into Canada but returned
within a few days I then read OF
he Lewiston killing and began to
make plans to get out H the country.
t was the execution of these plans
hat led to my arrest.
III am not the fbad man | have
,een pictured When they put me IN
he Plummer jail the officer there
ad a big revolver sticking out OF his
ip pocket, and he turned with ms
,ack to me and was building a fire.
his big revolver was within reach. l
ould have grabbed it and either hit
i'm over the head or shot my way
ut of jail. l did not want to Kill
nyone. 1 told the officer to turn
round and cover up his gun, that he
lid not want to tempt me too far.
nI understand experts have testl-
led that both rifles found in our car
,ad been fired. If my rifle had been
ired. this was done after the gun was
urned over to Sam Myers at the car.
he Remington rifle was my gun and
he Winchester belonged to Myers.
We both carried rifles when we left
he car in Lewiston Orchards, but L
i'd not fire a shot with the rifle. LIZ
he officers will examine the car they
will find that l shot through the
loor and through the right side OF
he car toward the ground. All L
wanted was to get away.
s.The officer wearing the star, the
me whom [ understand was killed,
vas one of the bravest men L ever
aw He had no fear. He followed
10 the road and kept pumping away
With that shotgun. l know ne hut me
vice and / understand he hit one OF
he Mars boys twice. He was using
.;rd shot and the wounds he inflicted
Ipon me gave me but little trouble.
know that / did not kill this officer
NV rifle had been cleaned In La
,rande, and when it left my posses
ion it had not been fired. +"
Darrell Thurston is young man OF
ood appearance. He is either man
f considerable education or has ac-
u;red the elements of education from
He speaks good Engllsh,
nolite. and even in his condition OF
;sheyelment last evening, possessed
= air of refinement. His conversa7
ion indicates keen mind and a per
nm of much initiative. Thurston is
Il feet in height and weighs about
rs pounds. He is trim built and OF
VASCULAR appearance. He said he is a
,echanic by trade and was in the
srvice during the world war.
Trial Set for Nov. "a.
.woe+orIou