|
AT Browns
PARK The Vicious and Cowardly Assault Made Upon Ranchman
Hoy A gentleman in
from Browns park gives Rock Springs Independent the
following particulars of the cowardly assault made upon
H. Hoy on the 26th of March, by August McDongall, Jack
Fitch and Isom Dart, the colored cowboy. All of these
men are now under bonds to appear at the district court
of Routt county, Colorado, for grand larceny and arson
On the morning of the 16th Hoy with two men, started to
gather cattle and on their way passed the ruins of the
burnt house, etc. When near there they met Dart who
stated he was going to see a neighbor, but instead of
doing so he went a round-about way and came in ahead of
Hoy and his men and concealed himself in the brush while
they passed. Soon after this while passing through some
timber Hoy and his men separated. He had only gone a
short distance when he met the three men armed with guns
and pistols. They attacked, beat and kicked him until
unconscious. They next met one of the other men and took
his rope off his saddle and left. Going to Browns park
being so near the territorial line it affords a good
opportunity for rascals and thieves to congregate, evade
the law and carry on their infarious work with impunity.
They have pursued their dishonest vocations so long and
with such success than men's stock is unsafe even in
enclosures. They cut fences, drive calves away from
their mothers and brand them and help themselves to beef
whenever wanted. It seems the chief requisites for
starting a herd are hose and saddle, rope and branding
iron and the herd will consist mostly of motherless
calves. The question the stockmen are now asking is,
must they submit to such depredations--is there not
redress? (Daily Boomerang May 3,
1890)

CATTLEMAN KILLED
While
assisting in the Capture of a Band of Desperadoes He is
Shot. Vernal, Utah,
March 3.--Word has been received from Browns park of the
killing of V. S. Hoy, a well known stock grower, by a
gang of outlaws. Several men, including Hoy, while
endeavoring to capture Pat Johnson, the man who killed
Farmer Strange a few days ago, suddenly encountered the
desperadoes, who opened fire on the party, killing Hoy
instantly. One of the gang, named Bennett, was captured
and the others are surrounded in the mountains with
little prospect of excape. The sheriff and posse have
left for the scene. Great Excitement prevails and there
is little doubt that the murderers will be shot or
lynched as soon as captured. NO FURTHER
DETAILS Salt Lake, March 3.--A special to the
Tribune from Vernal, Utah, says: No news has been
received today from the scene of the killing of V. S.
Hoy at Browns park. The sheriff and posse were expected
to reach the place some time this afternoon. It is
stated that Lant and Johnson will never be taken alive.
Govenor Wells telegraphed to sheriff Preece today
stating that he would offer a reward of $500.00 for the
murderers dead or alive if the killing was done in Utah.
The governor was informed that Strange was killed in
Wyoming and Hoy in Colorado. (Idaho Statemen Mar 4,
1898)
OUTLAWS CAPTURED
Murderers of S. V. Hoy Run
to Earth and One of Them Lynched. Salt Lake, March
8.__Dispatches from Cheyenne bring information of the
capture of the outlaws who murdered S. V. Hoy at Browns
Park a week ago, and a lynching of one of the number.
Among the captured desperadoes are Johnson who shot and
killed 17 year old Willie Strang because he was teasing
him, and David Lant and William Tracy, two convicts who
escaped from the Utah pen about a year ago. According to
the dispatch, Jack Bennett, who acted as scout, sentinel
and all-round man for the gang, was caught first and
lynched. The others were captured some time later.
Johnson is in the hands of Wyoming officers, while Lant
and Tracy were taken by Colorado deputies. Bennett, the
outlaw, pleaded for his life as preparations were being
made to lynch him, promising to tell all he knew, but he
was told that it was too late; that he had lived too
long already. Tracy, Land and Johnson were captured by
Deputy Sheriffs Peter Swanson, Isom Dart, Joe Davenport
and L. McKnight of Rock Springs and Deputy Sheriff
Farnham on Friday, March 4, near Powder springs. The
outlaws showed a fight, but finally surrendered. Johnson
was the first to throw up his hands. In view of the
feelings which exist, it is believed probable the states
will not be put to much expense in prosecuting the
bandits. All of them may meet the swift justice that
fell to Bennett's lot. (Idaho Falls Times Mar 10
1898)

ALLEGED NEMESIS OF BROWNS PARK IS TOM HORN, THE
WYOMING COWBOY
Said
to Have Driven Out Desperate Band
of
Cut-Throats,
With
Agents in Salt Lake and Denver
CRAIG, Colo., May
22.---Little the story of a number of mysterious deaths
in the Browns park is beginning to leak out. People have
suspected the existence of a gang of mercenary murderers
there, whos infamous achievements are only comparable to
those of those of the Bender family when Kansas was
young. But those who too openly expressed their
sentiments were apt to be shot in the back, and the
timidity of the general public prevented an
investigation.
Accused of
Murder. The arrest
of Tom Horn in Wyoming has opened the public mouth. He
is accused of the murder of Willie Nickell. Horn's trial
is to begin at Cheyenne next Monday, but it is said
influences will be brought to bear to postpone the trial
or secure a pardon. There is a Salt Lake end to the
story. Horn himself has preserved a scrupulous silence
regarding the string of crimes of which he is accused.
The exact part , if any, which he took in the tragedies
of Browns park will likely never be known, but there are
those who insist on regarding him as the agent of a
private and unofficial vengeance upon men who were too
powerful to be reached by the weak arm of the Colorado
justice.
Browns Park
Gang. Browns park,
150 miles from a railroad, is in natural advantages of a
stockmans paradise. Grass, water, equable seasons,
everything combined to make in unapproachable in
excellence. But for years it was inhabited by men whose
deeds caused the park to be avoided even by the men of
West, who are accustomed to facing risks while in
pursuit of the dollar. Man after man, known to be in
possession of money, entered the park and was never
again heard from. Well-disposed settlers were harassed
until in sheer desperation they removed to other parts.
The lawless element was supreme. Back in the mountains
lived a family who for convenience, may be named Wimmit.
This family conducted a small hotel were casual
passersby were given food and shelter for themselves and
their saddle horses. Incidentally it was the rendezvous
for the most desperate of the outlaws who infested the
region, although this family disclaimed any other
relation to them than that of unwilling innkeepers to
unwelcome guests. Agents in Salt Lake.One man or half a
dozen can drop out of sight in this country without
arousing comment. But in time the frequency with which
men popularly supposed to have money disappeared near
Wimmit's began to arouse suspicion. There began to be
talk of a narrow defile in the hills in which horsemen
were forced to ride single file. Of a fathomless hole of
a sufficient size to permit the passage of a human body,
and in whose grim depths a stream of water flowed toward
some subterranean lake. It was noticed that those who
disappeared were always strangers, who were visiting in
the country to buy ranches or stock. By and by it began
to be suspected that a perfect organization existed,
with agents in Salt Lake and Denver. These agent's only
business was to "tout" the strangers and ascertain the
amount of cash in their possession. The outlaws in the
hills did the rest. Sometimes a game of poker was the
medium, and the loser, having lost his money, saved his
life. But more often the story was whispered of an early
morning visit to the black ravine, the sound of a shot
and the plunge of a rifled body in the depths of the
murder hole.
Citizens
Aroused. For years,
it is believed, the murderous gang carried on their grim
business. The molested no one who lived in the park,
unless the neighbor was so indiscreet as to talk of his
suspicions. Then a shot in the back was his reward. No
man knew who did or did not belong to the gang, which,
by the way, carried on horse and cattle stealing upon a
wholesale and highly successful scale. But the time was
coming when the leaven of good citizenship leavened the
mass of frightful criminals in the park. Enough
law-abiding men settled in the park to make a war of
extermination, such as would have been declared in past
years impracticable to the outlaws. But the decent
element was handicapped. A complaint to authority was of
no avail. The machinery of the law could not be set in
action. Little of a substantial character could be
alleged against the offenders, whose friends to this day
declare the innocent of all wrongdoing. Then another
plan was decided on.
Mysterious
Avenger. One day
"Old Isom," a negro, who was believed to be a leader
among the outlaws, was shot in the back as he was
saddling his horse in his own corral. Two of his men
were with him, but the assassin had used a long-range
rifle and smokeless powder, and escaped. Two more
members were caught and killed by deputy United States
marshals down on Snake river after a desperate fight.
Old man Ober, said to be the leader, was shot and killed
while in bed at his own home where he lived alone.
Evidently the murderer was known to him, for they had
taken supper together. Several other less conspicuous
men died violet deaths at the hand of an unknown
assassin.
Bad Men
Scatter. The outlaws
were panic-stricken. Almost without exception they left
the park, some not remaining long enough to sell their
property. After the cleaning-up process was complete Tom
Horn left for Wyoming. Horn began to boast, it is
charged of fourteen murders he had done. The officers
heard of him, and this spring he was arrested in Baggs
on a charge of murder. No direct evidence has been
produced that Horn was the instrument chosen by the
better element to rid themselves of the outlaws when
other means failed, but this belief is general through
this country, based chiefly upon Horn's drunken
braggadocio. At all events, strangers are now safe in
Browns park, and the old crowd of outlaws is scattered
forever. (Salt Lake Telegram May 22,
1902)

Matt Warner,
a Utah Miner, Engages in Battle Craig, Col., May 31,--Information comes
from Browns Park across the line in Utah, of a desperate
battle on May 21 in which two men were killed and two
others mortally wounded. It is stated that Matt Warner
and a man named Norman had discovered rich mineral near
the state line and were developing their find on the
quiet. Four unknown men learning the fact followed them.
A fight took place in which Warner killed and wounded
all four of the others. No arrests have been made.
(Butte Weekly Miner June 4, 1896)
VERNAL: Charles Crouse, the well-known rancher
of Browns park, came over to Vernal from that section of
the State yesterday. He states that there is not a
particle of feed on the winter range and very little hay
in that section, and there is almost sure to be heavy
losses in stock before grass comes again. Should the
winter be heavy, he says that the loss will be the
heaviest in years.(SALT LAKE TELEGRAM SATURDAY EVENING,
NOVEMBER 29, 1902)
ROCK
SPRINGS, Wyo. June
15, Robert Allen was brought in from his ranch at
Linwood, Utah, on Tuesday and taken to the hospital
where he died the same evening. Mr. Allen is a well
known stock-man in this district and his many friends
will regret to learn of his death. His wife accompanied
him here and was present when he died. The remains were
shipped to linwood on Wednesday where the funeral will
take place. Deceased was 52 years of age. (WYOMING STATE
TRIBUNE TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1920)
FATHER CUTS
WRISTS OF HIMSELF AND BABE GREEN RIVER, Wyo Aug. 8, Jack Nichol of
Linwood, Utah, attempted suicide here by severing the
arteries in both his wrists with a razor, and also
committing the same with his infant child. The attempt
on the life of himself and babe was made while in a fit
of despondency over domestic affairs. He is being
removed to Vernal Utah, by Deputy Sheriff Frank Nebeker
of Uinta county Utah. Nichol's condition is not serious
and the small child will survive if no further
complications set in. Nichol has always been known as a
man of retiring temperament and has always been a
law-abiding citizen (Cheyenne Leader Aug 30,
1920)

STATE
SECRETARY HOME FROM TRIP Secretary of State Harden Bennion, who
with his family has been taking a vacation on his ranch
in Daggett County, returned home this morning. Secretary
Bennion said that the outlook for bumper crops in the
section of the stte which he visited was never better.
The range is in splendid condition and livestock is in
extraordinary good order. He motored from Salt Lake to
the ranch. The roads he said are in good condition.
(Salt Lake Telegram July 22, 1920)
5-YEAR-OLD BOY IS
KILLED BY CAVE-IN GREEN RIVER, Wyo., Nov, 10--Buried by
a cave-in of the walls of an outside cellar which his
father was digging at his home in Linwood, Utah, the
five-year old son of Dr. Tinker, who maintains a
practice in this city, was suffocated. It required
twenty minutes to dig the child out, He was dead when
rescued. The body was brought to Green River and
prepared for burial. (Philadelphia Inquirer November 10,
1917)
New County in East
Utah
Daggett County, Utah, was
officially created Friday. Harden Bennion, acting
govenor, issued a proclamation which will start the new
county on its career the first Monday in January 1918.
It was created from the northern part of Uintah county,
and judicially will be a part of the Second district
which comprises Weber, Davis, Morgan and Daggett
counties. (Moab) Grand Valley Times
Daggett Cession To
Wyoming Advised State Auditor to Recommend Utah Give Up
Inaccessible County
Daggett county people have
come to the; conclusion that a county form of government
is not only expensive, but that it is a luxury which
they can do without. I shall recommend to, the
legislature the cession of the strip of ground
comprising Daggett county to Wyoming, to become a part
of Sweetwater county in that state said Mark Tuttle,
state auditor, who today returned from a visit to that
section of the state. ''The county.has an assessed
"valuation, continued Mr. Tuttle" of only $508,322, and
from this the state levy of 2.2 mills, after deducting:
28 per cent of the levy for the Utah Agricultural
college, leaves but $804 for general fund purposes for
the stale. The county really should never have been
created "In order to reach this county and its county
seat, Manilla, the court officials have to make a long
and expensive trip through a part of Wyoming. It is true
that prior to its creation as a county its people were
inaccessible from the southern portion of Uinta county,
of which it was a part, for most of the. year, owing to
the high mountain range which separated the two
sections, but It should be a part of Wyoming, as
practically all Its business is transacted with that
state. It can increase in population but little, and I
believe that the people would be better accommodated, as
many of the representative men of the county have told
me. if it were to become a part of the state of Wyoming,
and I shall so recommend to the fifteenth legislature".
Date: 1921-10-03; Paper: Salt Lake Telegram

Louisa
Twitchell has been appointed post-mistress at Manila,
Uintah county, Utah. Sept 19, 1906--Salt Lake
Telegram.
REAPPOINTS
US COMMISSIONERS
Judge John A. Marshall of the United Sates District
Court has announced the reappointment of Charles Baldwin
of Salt Lake City, R. W. Crocket of Provo, William
Howard of Huntington and M. N. Larson of Linwood as
United States commissioners. Salt Lake Telegram July 15,
1913
WESTERN
POSTMASTERS:
WASHINGTON, June 14--The following postmasters were
appointed today: Utah--Manila, Uintah county, Edward
Clark. Idaho--Stanton, Blair county, George W. Sherbine;
Tharp, Idaho county, Louis C. Spangler.
Wyoming--Glenrock, Converse county, Myrtle Morgan. (June
14, 1910 - Salt Lake Telegram)
FRANCIS BARRETT
TURNED
LOOSE AT HEARING
The preliminary hearing
of Francis Barrett was held before Judge Highley at Rock
Springs, a change of venue having been made from Green
River justice court. Barrett was charged with the
murder of Paul Walker, whom he shot and killed on August
26th at a ranch near Linwood, Utah, in a
controversy over a horse. According: to the evidence
given at the trial by Barrctt and an eye witness, the
killing was done in .self-defense and the evidence did
not justify prosecution on the murder charge. The
story as told by the witnesses was substantially as
follows:
Francis Barrett had
received a letter from the owner of the horse directing
him to get the horse from the range. On Wednesday
morning of last week he found the horse at the place of
Paul Walker. He took the horse from the
corral and put it in the barn at the Finch
ranch.
Barrett then went to
Linwood. Walker came to the ranch and got the horse and
took it back to his tent. Then, according to Ed. Mass,
who chanced to pass the tent and who was a witness,
Walker said that he would kill Barrett before he would
let him take the horse. Mass did not see Barrett and
later Barrett came back to Walkers tent and told Walker
he had come for the horse. Ed. Finch was with Barrett
and, according to the testimony of both men, Walker
pulled a gun saying, heres your horse and fired point
blank at Barrett but missed him. Barrett then drew his
gun and shot twice at Walker, both shots taking effect.
Then Barrett mounted his horse and rode to the Finch
ranch later coming to Green River, where he gave himself
up to the sheriff.
Coroner Rogan was then
called to the scene of the shooting. The
body of Walker was found behind the tent. On his
bed in the tent wan a rifle and a revolver, the hammer
of the revolver resting on an empty shell. A
bullet hole was found in the tent corroborating the
testimony of Barrett and Finch that the shooting
occurred in front of the tent Testimony of physicians
called in the case was that it was entirely possible
that Walker might have lived for an hour after the
shooting as the wound would not be instantly fatal and
that he might have returned to the tent and placed the
revolver on the bed and then gone back into the tent
where he died. Barrett was released from custody. (Green
River Star September 10, 1920)
Bennion is
Chosen President of the Board MANILA UTAH Jan 5---Heber Bennion was
chosen president of the Daggett county school board at
an organization meeting held Tuesday. Other officers
are: C. W. Olson, vice president; L. B. Stewart,
treasurer, and Paul Miner, secretary. The other members
of the board are G. W. Walkup and Marion Campbell.
Because of the fact that 30 percent of the taxes in the
county are unpaid, the problem of financing the schools
to the end of the year was found a serious one. The
probability of a consolidation of the schools during the
last eight months of the school term was discussed. The
finance committee was instructed to endeavor to collect
certain taxes from the Uinta county treasurer, which
should have been paid to Dagggett county by the
taxpayers. (January 5, 1921 - Salt Lake
Telegram)
Knud Ronholt and Henry
Wyman were in from Linwood, Utah this week and informed
the writer that Linwood will have a big celebration on
Independence Day, consisting of a number of horse races,
foot races, fire works and a big dance. (Green River
Star, Green River WY, June 30, 1911.)
Ole Neilson met with a
very serious accident some days ago, while attempting to
saddle a wild horse. Mr. Neilson became entangled in the
rope with which the horse was tied and fell in such a
way that he could not get loose. The horse kicked him
about the head and shoulders inflicting such serious
injuries that Mr. Neilson was confined to his bed for
some days. We have not been able to obtain any
information regarding his present state of health.
(September 12, 1913, Green River Star)
NOTICE FOR
PUBLICATION
Serial No.
03988
Department of the
Interior, U. S
Land Office, Evanston,
Wyoming,
January 30th,
1917.
Notice is hereby given
that James A. Briggs. of Manila, Utah, who, on February
14th, 1914. made Homestead Entry No. 03988,
for E1/2 SE1/4 Section 23 and W1/2 SW1/4.
Section 24, Township 12 North, Range 110 West
6th Principal Meridian, has filed notice of
intention to make Final three year proof, to establish
claim to the land above described, before Tom Whitmore
Clerk of Court, at Green River, Wyoming, on the
12th day of March, 1917.
Claimant names as
witnesses:
Hugh
Twitchell, Jacob Anderson,
Alvin W.Myers and Moroni
L. Briggs.
all of Manila,
Utah,
f2-m9 Alex Nisbet,
Register.
This above notice
appeared in the Green Rive Star Tribune
DEATH IN COMPANY H.
Death visited Company H, Wyoming National
Guard, yesterday for the first time When Private Manford
Hayes of Manila, Utah died suddenly when he was seized
with crampage of the heart, shortly after going through
a strenuous drill.
Dr. C. D. Stafford, the companys physician
pronounced the cause of death as acute alcoholism. The incident has
aroused the ire of company officials who declare that
Unless the selling of liquor to soldiers is stopped the
saloons will be closed.
An inquest was held over the body
yesterday.
The whole company escorted the body to the depot
yesterday afternoon and a member of the company will
accompany it home.
(June 7, 1917, The Cheyenne
Leader)
JULY 24TH
CELEBRATION
Green River Star Friday July 29,
1921
From the length and
breadth of Daggett County, Utah, came the sturdy
pioneers to Manila, the county seat, with their families
to do honor to their forefathers who had so courageously
braved hardship and terror to pave the way and make
possible the civilization and cultivation of the great
West.
In all manner of
conveyances, from the lumber wagon to the automobile,
they came prepared to celebrate the dayand celebrate
they did in every sense of the word.
The morning was devoted
to prayer, song, speaking and music, and every number
was accorded hearty applause, after which an hour or
more was devoted to the refreshment of the inner man,
ample provision having been made to satisfy the craving
of all while the draft and saddle horses were also
carefully looked after.
The early afternoon was
devoted to childrens and adults sports, and many good
races were the result. A ball game, between
Terrytown and Manila, next attracted attention.
The game proved exciting and was indeed a well
played game. After six innings the game ended to make
room for the bronco busters, with the score 8 to 7, in
favor of Manila.
The bucking contest was
greatly enjoyed by all present, about eight horses being
used, and at the termination Fred Stoll was declared the
winner. Horse racing on the new State Highway closed the
days sports, several close races resulting, in which
honors went principally to horses owned and ridden by
several members of the Stoll family.
During the evening
Terpsichore reigned supreme and old and young tripped
the light fantastic toe to the splendid music of the
Green River orchestra, consisting of Mr. and Mrs.
Viox and B. Chapman, and all present agreed that
the dance music rendered was the best ever heard in the
hall.
The festivities were
enjoyed by an unusual number of visitors from Ogden,
Salt Lake and other places, Green River alone being
represented by upward of forty pleasure seekers.
All in all it was a joyous occasion and one long
to be remembered.
|