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
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
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, Lant 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 wrong doing. 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 violent 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
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
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 there was 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
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