WEBVTT

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<v Speaker 1>Cal puder calm.

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<v Speaker 2>Elliot Lyons, former deputy sheriff, ex convict, horse thief, and

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<v Speaker 2>all around desperado last night shot and fatally wounded William W. Withers,

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<v Speaker 2>Sheriff of Lane County, while the latter was attempting to

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<v Speaker 2>arrest him. The sheriff was in the discharge of his

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<v Speaker 2>duty when he received the fatal wound. With a warrant

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<v Speaker 2>for the arrest of Lions for horse stealing, Withers entered

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<v Speaker 2>the cabin where the man he was after resided. Lions,

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<v Speaker 2>concealed himself, and as far as the officer could see,

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<v Speaker 2>there was in the room only the mother and the

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<v Speaker 2>wife of the thief. At the first appearance of the sheriff,

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<v Speaker 2>the women rushed at him like she wolves and grappled

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<v Speaker 2>with him and held his arms pinioned so that he

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<v Speaker 2>could not reach for his revolver. Lions then came forth

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<v Speaker 2>from his place of concealment, and, drawing a forty four

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<v Speaker 2>caliber pistol from his belt, deliberately shot the defenseless officer.

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<v Speaker 2>The ball entered the throat and probably lodged in the

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<v Speaker 2>spine after ranging downward. Although two guards stood outside the

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<v Speaker 2>door at the time, there appears to have been no

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<v Speaker 2>obstacle to the escape of the desperado, who calmly walked

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<v Speaker 2>out of the front door and made good his escape

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<v Speaker 2>for the time being. The fugitive outlaw is well known

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<v Speaker 2>throughout this section of the country. He was formerly a

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<v Speaker 2>deputy sheriff. He is an ex convict, having served a

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<v Speaker 2>sentence in the penitentiary for embezzling school funds. He was

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<v Speaker 2>wanted in Douglas County for stealing horses, and it was

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<v Speaker 2>to serve the warrant on this charge that Sheriff Withers

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<v Speaker 2>went to the lion's cabin. The mother and wife of

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<v Speaker 2>the desperado are under arrest and will be taken to

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<v Speaker 2>Eugene in held to await the result of the Sheriff's wounds.

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<v Speaker 2>It is almost certain that Withers will die, and in

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<v Speaker 2>that event, the women will be charged with murder. Sheriff

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<v Speaker 2>Withers lies in a little cabin near the scene of

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<v Speaker 2>the shooting, while two posses are hunting for his assailant,

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<v Speaker 2>upon who's had a reward of five hundred dollars dead

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<v Speaker 2>or alive, has been offered. True crime historian presents an

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<v Speaker 2>eye for an eye A special edition of Yesterday's News,

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<v Speaker 2>exploring the criminal justice system at its most extreme, inflicting

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<v Speaker 2>the death penalty. Episode three hundred and fifty eight is

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<v Speaker 2>dedicated to the safe house scoundrel Marlene Resh, who required

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<v Speaker 2>a story from her hometown in Eugene, Oregon, and we're

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<v Speaker 2>happy to oblige. The victim in this story was the

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<v Speaker 2>law enforcement officer in episode three hundred and thirty six

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<v Speaker 2>Murder on the Mackenzie Trail, and together they sum up

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<v Speaker 2>the history of capital punishment in Lane County, Oregon, the

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<v Speaker 2>only two executions to be held there. I'm true crime

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<v Speaker 2>historian Richard O. Jones, and for your horror and indignation,

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<v Speaker 2>I give you the largest sheriff in Oregon, the Terror

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<v Speaker 2>of All Tufts, killed by Horseleef. Eugene, Oregon, February sixth,

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<v Speaker 2>nineteen oh three. Yesterday morning, almost before daylight, William W. Withers,

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<v Speaker 2>Sheriff of Lane County, left Eugene for the sus Law country.

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<v Speaker 2>With them were W. Cornelius and Jack Smith, the latter

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<v Speaker 2>a constable of Eugene. The sheriff was armed with a

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<v Speaker 2>warrant from Josephine County, charging Elliott Lyons with grand larceny

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<v Speaker 2>and having stolen a number of horses. It was a

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<v Speaker 2>long hard ride to the cabin where the man they

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<v Speaker 2>were in search of was known to live. They reached

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<v Speaker 2>Walton post Office on the Siuslaw River about dusk. Their

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<v Speaker 2>errand was known, and it is not unlikely that word

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<v Speaker 2>of their coming was sent to the retreat of the

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<v Speaker 2>bandit several miles away. The sheriff and his men then

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<v Speaker 2>proceeded toward the lion's cabin, which they approached cautiously so

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<v Speaker 2>as not to alarm the occupants in the flight. All

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<v Speaker 2>three of the officers were well armed, and knowing the

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<v Speaker 2>desperate character of the man they had to deal with,

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<v Speaker 2>they decided to take no chances on an attempt to

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<v Speaker 2>escape from the cabin. Accordingly, the sheriff gave careful instructions

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<v Speaker 2>to his two assistants and posted them so as to

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<v Speaker 2>command both the rear and front doors of the cabin.

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<v Speaker 2>The deputies took up their stands at the respective stations

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<v Speaker 2>assigned them, and were apparently ready for any emergency that

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<v Speaker 2>might arrive. The cabin, where the Outlaw clan made its home,

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<v Speaker 2>is near the Siuslaw River, in a section of the

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<v Speaker 2>deeply timbered and bushy country. Darkness had settled down. When

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<v Speaker 2>Sheriff Withers prepared to invade the den. He was armed

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<v Speaker 2>with the revolver he habitually carried, but did not consider

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<v Speaker 2>it necessary to have this in his hand when he

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<v Speaker 2>entered the house. This neglect, the neglect of a brave man,

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<v Speaker 2>in all probability, will prove fatal for Withers, gentleman that

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<v Speaker 2>he was the sheriff, although in search of a fugitive

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<v Speaker 2>from justice, and by no means compelled to stand on ceremony,

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<v Speaker 2>knocked on the door of the cabin. Before attempting to enter,

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<v Speaker 2>A voice bade him come in.

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<v Speaker 1>Withers entered the room.

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<v Speaker 2>Two women faced him, one rather young and not uncomely,

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<v Speaker 2>and the other well aged. What conversation occurred, if any,

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<v Speaker 2>is not known. It is supposed that the Sheriff told

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<v Speaker 2>the purpose of his visit and demanded to know the whereabouts.

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<v Speaker 1>Of Elliott Lyons.

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<v Speaker 2>Before he could reach for a pistol or otherwise prepare

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<v Speaker 2>to act on the defensive, the women were upon him.

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<v Speaker 2>They grappled with him, and each seized an arm. There

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<v Speaker 2>was a struggle. The sheriff, a powerful man, could under

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<v Speaker 2>ordinary circumstances have quickly worsted his female assailants, but they

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<v Speaker 2>fought like furies, like she tigers defending their young. They

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<v Speaker 2>could have held the sheriff but a few minutes, despite

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<v Speaker 2>their frenzied strength. It was then that murder was done,

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<v Speaker 2>or at least attempted. While the sheriff was still struggling

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<v Speaker 2>in the hands of the women, Elis Lions came forward.

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<v Speaker 2>He had a revolver, and with this he aimed what

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<v Speaker 2>he doubtless intended to be a death dealing bullet at Withers.

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<v Speaker 2>The shot was fired while the Sheriff's arms were pinioned

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<v Speaker 2>in the grasp of the bandit's mother and wife. The

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<v Speaker 2>guards near the house must have heard the shot. It

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<v Speaker 2>is supposed that they rushed to the door to aid

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<v Speaker 2>their chief, but the desperado had already escaped. Under cover

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<v Speaker 2>of darkness, he slipped out the front door and got away.

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<v Speaker 2>Word was sent at once to Eugene, and several docstors

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<v Speaker 2>at once left for the scene of the shooting. In

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<v Speaker 2>the meantime, the female members of the robber's household were

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<v Speaker 2>taken in charge and brought to the county jail. They

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<v Speaker 2>refuse to discuss the deed of the husband and son,

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<v Speaker 2>who is now a fugitive from the law with a

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<v Speaker 2>price on his head. Word arrived from the Hail post

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<v Speaker 2>office saying that Withers was carried there at eleven o'clock

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<v Speaker 2>last night. The place is several miles from the scene

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<v Speaker 2>of the shooting. Missus Withers, wife of the Sheriff, left

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<v Speaker 2>here at ten o'clock this morning for the scene of

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<v Speaker 2>the murder. Lyons is said to have sworn vengeance against

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<v Speaker 2>all officers of the law since he was released from

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<v Speaker 2>the penitentiary. It is said that he will strike the

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<v Speaker 2>railroad above Cottage Grove, or that he will come to

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<v Speaker 2>the vicinity of Eugene and Hyde. His family is large

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<v Speaker 2>and well known, and it is quite possible that he

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<v Speaker 2>will have many friends who may sheared him from the

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<v Speaker 2>consequences of his crime. This is Sheriff Withers's third term

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<v Speaker 2>in office, having first been elected in eighteen ninety eight

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<v Speaker 2>on the Democratic ticket. This in spite of the fact

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<v Speaker 2>that Lane County is strongly Republican. The immense popularity of

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<v Speaker 2>the man is due to his absolute honesty. He has

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<v Speaker 2>made more than an ordinary record as a fearless officer

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<v Speaker 2>and has succeeded in running down a number of criminals,

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<v Speaker 2>including Claude Branton, who was hanged for the murder of

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<v Speaker 2>John Lynn in eighteen ninety eight, and Bert Heaton, who

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<v Speaker 2>was sentenced to the penitentiary for life last fall for

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<v Speaker 2>the murder of Benton Tracy at Junction City. During his

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<v Speaker 2>first term of office, a deputy named reed embezzled several

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<v Speaker 2>thousand dollars of the county taxes and made his escape

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<v Speaker 2>from the county. As soon as the crime was discovered,

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<v Speaker 2>Sheriff Withers was acquainted with the facts, and he may

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<v Speaker 2>the amount good out of his own pocket. From that

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<v Speaker 2>time forth, his popularity was so great that no man

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<v Speaker 2>has been able to beat him for the office of sheriff.

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<v Speaker 2>Sheriff Withers is well known in Portland, especially to Sheriff's

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<v Speaker 2>story in his Deputies. He is about forty five years

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<v Speaker 2>of age. He has the distinction of being the most

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<v Speaker 2>peculiar man in that section of the state, as he

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<v Speaker 2>has always conducted himself in a manner pleasing to his

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<v Speaker 2>constituents and to all with whom he had dealings. His

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<v Speaker 2>death will create genuine sorrow among his friends, as all

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<v Speaker 2>who knew him, looked upon him as not only an

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<v Speaker 2>ideal official, but as a splendid man and citizen. The

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<v Speaker 2>conduct of his office he has held so long has

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<v Speaker 2>always been above reproach, and hundreds of friends will feel

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<v Speaker 2>a personal loss at his untimely death. That so brave

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<v Speaker 2>a man should be thus ruthlessly shot down by a

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<v Speaker 2>man who once took the oath of deputy sheriff was

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<v Speaker 2>the last thing the sheriff's friends could have imagined. Sheriff

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<v Speaker 2>Withers was a man of magnificent physical build. He was

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<v Speaker 2>over six feet tall and was the terror of all tufts.

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<v Speaker 2>He was the largest sheriff in Oregon, and was an

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<v Speaker 2>athlete of no small ability. February seventh, nineteen o three,

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<v Speaker 2>Sheriff Withers was unconscious at seven o'clock this morning when

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<v Speaker 2>a messenger left Hales. It was thought at that time

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<v Speaker 2>that the Sheriff could not live an hour. His brain

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<v Speaker 2>was paralyzed, and he has been unconscious at six o'clock

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<v Speaker 2>last night. Three doctors are in attendance with the wounded man,

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<v Speaker 2>and his wife is by his side. Before the Sheriff

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<v Speaker 2>lost consciousness, his deposition was taken in the presence of witnesses.

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<v Speaker 2>Withers confirmed the report that his arms had been held

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<v Speaker 2>in the grasp of the wife, mother, and father of

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<v Speaker 2>the man he was trying to arrest. The family of

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<v Speaker 2>the fugitive is under arrest. At noon a courier arrived

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<v Speaker 2>from Hale's and reported that a man answering the description

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<v Speaker 2>of lions had been seen near Cottage Grove with the rifle.

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<v Speaker 2>He was making his way through the brush toward Lorraine

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<v Speaker 2>and appeared to want to avoid meeting anyone. A posse

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<v Speaker 2>has left Hales and gone in pursuit of the suspect.

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<v Speaker 2>Those who know Elliot Lyons Elliot Lyons is known to

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<v Speaker 2>be a nervy ruffian who will not stop at the

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<v Speaker 2>taking of the human life when roused.

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<v Speaker 1>He was once in.

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<v Speaker 2>The custody of the officers of Josephine County, but got

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<v Speaker 2>away from them, and since then he was sworn that

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<v Speaker 2>he would not be taken alive. Lyons is a man

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<v Speaker 2>of great physical strength, knows the country thoroughly, and is

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<v Speaker 2>well armed. It is said that, in addition to the

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<v Speaker 2>revolver of forty four caliber colts with which he shot

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<v Speaker 2>Sheriff Withers, the fugitive took with him a Winchester rifle.

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<v Speaker 2>He is a dead shot, and few people believe that

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<v Speaker 2>he will be captured without a hard fight. The hunt

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<v Speaker 2>for Lions is being directed by Chief Deputy Sheriff Fisk

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<v Speaker 2>from Eugene. One posse fifty in number is in the

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<v Speaker 2>mountains and is supposed to have struck the bandit's trail.

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<v Speaker 2>They took up the chase at the lions cabins, from

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<v Speaker 2>which it led off.

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<v Speaker 1>Into the nearby hills.

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<v Speaker 2>Other bodies of armed men are scouring the country in

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<v Speaker 2>various directions. Eugene is guarded by a number of men

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<v Speaker 2>who are watching the roads around the town, expecting that

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<v Speaker 2>Lions may attempt to find friends in this vicinity, and

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<v Speaker 2>there is something more than a hope of earning the

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<v Speaker 2>reward of five hundred dollars that has been placed on

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<v Speaker 2>the bank and its head dead or alive. Withers has

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<v Speaker 2>many staunch friends here who have a feeling of personal

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<v Speaker 2>anger against the man who attempted his death. The main

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<v Speaker 2>posse in pursuit of lions is under the command of

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<v Speaker 2>Second Sheriff Bounds. He is an intrepid man who knows

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<v Speaker 2>the county thoroughly, and his posse is comprised of picked

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<v Speaker 2>men who are equally brave. It is the declared purpose

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<v Speaker 2>of these men to follow the assailant of Sheriff Withers

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<v Speaker 2>any distance until they come up with them. Missus Withers,

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<v Speaker 2>wife of the Sheriff, when informed of the shooting, engaged

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<v Speaker 2>a team and drove at once to the bedside of

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<v Speaker 2>her husband. She arrived on the scene last night and

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<v Speaker 2>has not much stirred from the dying man's couch since.

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<v Speaker 2>Although friends have tried to prevail upon her to take

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<v Speaker 2>some much needed rest, she has steadily refused to leave

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<v Speaker 2>the side.

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<v Speaker 1>Of the wounded man.

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<v Speaker 2>It now appears that after the shooting, the family of

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<v Speaker 2>the would be assassin did everything possible for the sheriff

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<v Speaker 2>and the brother of the bandit hitched up the buggy

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<v Speaker 2>and offered to take Withers to the nearest physician. The

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<v Speaker 2>sheriff refused the offer. Later he was removed to Hale's

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<v Speaker 2>by friends, where he was tenderly cared for. Nate Chastein,

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<v Speaker 2>a young farmer living in the neighborhood, brought the news

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<v Speaker 2>of the shooting to this city. He made an all

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<v Speaker 2>night ride over thirty miles of bad road covered with

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<v Speaker 2>two feet of snow in order to get the information

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<v Speaker 2>to the officers here in Eugene, Constable A. J. Smith,

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<v Speaker 2>who was with Sheriff Withers at the time he was

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<v Speaker 2>shot by Elliott Lyons, arrived in Eugene late this afternoon.

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<v Speaker 2>Smith's story of the shooting is as follows. Withers and

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<v Speaker 2>Smith and a number of citizens in the vicinity in

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<v Speaker 2>which Lions lived who had been deputized, surrounded the lion's

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<v Speaker 2>house about dark. Withers and a party of men went

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<v Speaker 2>to the front door, while Smith and one or two

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<v Speaker 2>others were stationed at the rear door. Withers entered the

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<v Speaker 2>house and the light was immediately extinguished. Lyon's mother and

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<v Speaker 2>wife then grasped Withers's arm, preventing him from using his revolver.

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<v Speaker 2>While he was thus pinioned, Lions advanced within two feet

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<v Speaker 2>of the Sheriff aimed as revolver at the latter and fired.

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<v Speaker 2>The bullet entered at the center of the throat and

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<v Speaker 2>lodged in the back of the neck, cutting the windpipe.

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<v Speaker 2>A messenger was dispatched with all haste to Eugene, and

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<v Speaker 2>he arrived here at two o'clock yesterday morning. Physicians were

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<v Speaker 2>notified and doctor F. M. Day left shortly afterward for

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<v Speaker 2>the scene. Arriving at eight o'clock, he found the wounded

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<v Speaker 2>Sheriff at the residence of George Hale at Hale Post Office,

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<v Speaker 2>where he had been conveyed from the scene of the tragedy.

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<v Speaker 2>Constable Smith brought word that doctor Day said that there

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<v Speaker 2>was no hope of saving the Sheriff's life. The women

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<v Speaker 2>Lyons's mother and wife were placed under arrest, as was

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<v Speaker 2>also a man whose name cannot be learned. He was

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<v Speaker 2>in the house at the time, and it has said

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<v Speaker 2>he was instrumental in preventing the sheriff from using his gun.

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<v Speaker 2>Before Constable Smith started for Eugene, Sheriff Withers said to him,

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<v Speaker 2>see that these people pay for this. If we're not

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<v Speaker 2>for them, this would not have happened. No word has

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<v Speaker 2>been received yet from the posse which left here this

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<v Speaker 2>morning under Deputy Sheriff Harry Brown. It has thought, however,

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<v Speaker 2>that the fugitive will be easily tracked as the ground

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<v Speaker 2>is covered with snow. February tenth, nineteen o three. The

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<v Speaker 2>excitement of the past few days over the shoe shooting

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<v Speaker 2>of Sheriff Withers his death and the escape of Elliot Lions.

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<v Speaker 2>The assassin was brought to the highest possible tension Monday

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<v Speaker 2>at eleven thirty am, when a posse from Creswell brought

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<v Speaker 2>lions to Eugene and Sheriff Fisk locked him up in jail. Fortunately,

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<v Speaker 2>the news of his capture was kept a profound secret,

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<v Speaker 2>and none but the officers and few others knew that

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<v Speaker 2>he had been taken. When the spring wagon containing three

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<v Speaker 2>guards and lions stopped at the county jail, there were

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<v Speaker 2>but few people in that locality, But before the doors

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<v Speaker 2>had been closed on the murderer, three hundred people, all excited,

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<v Speaker 2>had gathered on the sidewalk, and there was plenty of

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<v Speaker 2>evidence that lions owed his extended lease of life. To

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<v Speaker 2>the extra precautions taken in keeping the public in the

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<v Speaker 2>dark as to their movements with the prisoner, a more

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<v Speaker 2>thoroughly organized search and look out for a criminal was

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<v Speaker 2>never planned in Lane County. Posse scoured the country between

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<v Speaker 2>Hale and Junction and Irving and tracked him in the

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<v Speaker 2>snow to a point west of Irving. Many believed that

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<v Speaker 2>Lyons was near Irving. Sunday, night, but that he had

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<v Speaker 2>eluded the posse and came on to Eugene, where he

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<v Speaker 2>tried to board the cars, but local officers and their

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<v Speaker 2>assistants kept close watch and Lions kept in the dark.

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<v Speaker 2>Finding it impossible to get out on the train, Lions

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00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:34.359
<v Speaker 2>tramped onto Goshen, where he slept on a tie pile

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<v Speaker 2>during the night, moving on to Cresswell, where while attempting

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<v Speaker 2>to board the southbound freight, he was taken into custody.

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<v Speaker 2>The first knowledge that Lyons was in the neighborhood came

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<v Speaker 2>from Constable Edgar Parsons, who saw Lions near the railroad

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<v Speaker 2>above Cresswell as he went home from the post office

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<v Speaker 2>and recognized him as Lions had once worked for him

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<v Speaker 2>in a hopyard Parsons right downtown. The posse was formed

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<v Speaker 2>and they started well armed for the chase. The southbound

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<v Speaker 2>freight arrived and the posse notified the conductor that Lions

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<v Speaker 2>was down the track and would probably endeavor to board

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<v Speaker 2>the train, and if he did, they would signal him

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<v Speaker 2>to stop. As the train moved out, Lions started to

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<v Speaker 2>board a box car. The train stopped, the posse drove up,

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00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:32.119
<v Speaker 2>leveled their guns, and Lions surrendered. He was found to

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00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:37.000
<v Speaker 2>be unarmed. Lions was walked down town, although he was

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00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:41.079
<v Speaker 2>weak and exhausted from hunger, tramping and laying out in

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00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:45.359
<v Speaker 2>the cold for three nights. Lions said, boys, I did

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<v Speaker 2>not expect to be taken alive, but you have me.

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<v Speaker 2>He said he was holding Sheriff Withers by the arm

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<v Speaker 2>and did not know what he did. The posse took

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<v Speaker 2>Lions to the hotel, where he was given something to eat. Here,

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<v Speaker 2>Lions broke down and wept like a child.

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<v Speaker 1>He said.

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<v Speaker 2>He was held up in Eugene's Sunday night, but he

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00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:11.160
<v Speaker 2>talked Irish and they let him go. He said he

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00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:13.960
<v Speaker 2>stopped at a house in the manufacturing district where he

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00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:16.960
<v Speaker 2>changed his clothes, and with a pack on his back,

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<v Speaker 2>including a pair of pruning shears, he was taken for

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<v Speaker 2>a hobo.

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<v Speaker 3>To avoid future commercial interruptions, visit us at www dot

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00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:54.440
<v Speaker 3>patreon dot com slash True Crime Historian. For as little

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00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:57.359
<v Speaker 3>as a dollar a week, you can enjoy full access

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00:21:57.480 --> 00:22:02.359
<v Speaker 3>to the true crime Historian Dusty Va, exclusive episodes, and

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00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:08.599
<v Speaker 3>whatever personal services you require. That's www dot patreon dot

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00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:11.400
<v Speaker 3>com slash True Crime Historian.

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<v Speaker 2>February eleventh, nineteen o three. Never in the history of

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<v Speaker 2>Eugene has a more impressive funeral been held than took

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<v Speaker 2>place yesterday when William W. Withers, ex Sheriff of Lane County,

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<v Speaker 2>was laid to rest and Masonic Cemetery. The body lay

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<v Speaker 2>in stayed at the courthouse until two pm, when the

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<v Speaker 2>four Orders marched in a body five hundred strong to

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<v Speaker 2>the courthouse, the Elks leading the way. The body was

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<v Speaker 2>born to the hearse by the pallbearers, under the escort

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<v Speaker 2>of a detail from the Elks, the members of the

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00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:10.680
<v Speaker 2>different lodges standing in a solid body with heads uncovered.

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<v Speaker 2>Then with measured tread, they marched to the Christian Church,

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<v Speaker 2>where twice or three times as many people as could

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<v Speaker 2>get into the church had congregated, About half the lodge

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<v Speaker 2>members secured seats, and every available inch of space in

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00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:29.880
<v Speaker 2>the church was occupied by those who desired to pay

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00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:34.039
<v Speaker 2>their respects to a good man and a brave, faithful officer,

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<v Speaker 2>a splendid choir saying Abide with Me and safe in

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<v Speaker 2>the arms of Jesus, Reverend McCallum, and a sermon touched

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<v Speaker 2>on the importance of being ready for the final call

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<v Speaker 2>which must come to us all sooner or later, and

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<v Speaker 2>paid a deserved tribute to the memory of the departed.

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<v Speaker 2>On account of the inclement weather, the eulogy to have

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<v Speaker 2>been pronounced at the grave on behalf of the Elks

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<v Speaker 2>by Honorable S. M Yran was delivered at the church.

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<v Speaker 2>The words of mister Yoran were treasured up in the

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<v Speaker 2>hearts of everyone present. The remains were then born to

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<v Speaker 2>Themsonic Cemetery, followed by hundreds of loyal citizens who did

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<v Speaker 2>not let weather conditions prevent them from performing voluntarily a

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<v Speaker 2>sacred duty. At the cemetery, the beautiful and impressive burial

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<v Speaker 2>ceremony of the Elks was said, and other lodges added.

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<v Speaker 1>Their tributes of remembrance. W W.

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<v Speaker 2>Withers sleeps in the silent earth, but his life and example,

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<v Speaker 2>his real worth as a citizen, and his faithfulness to

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<v Speaker 2>duties imposed upon him by the public, should be a

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<v Speaker 2>living example worthy of emulation by those who have their

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<v Speaker 2>lives measure up to the standard of excellence which characterizes

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<v Speaker 2>the true manhood of our time. Cowed and docile, the

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<v Speaker 2>murderer of our brave dead Sheriff lies on a mat

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<v Speaker 2>in his barred cell in the County Jail. By the

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<v Speaker 2>courtesy of District Attorney George Brown and Sheriff Fisk, a

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<v Speaker 2>reporter was permitted an interview with the prisoner this morning.

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<v Speaker 2>When the door opened, Lions was lying at full length

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<v Speaker 2>on a mat and a barred cell, where he can

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<v Speaker 2>be plainly seen by everyone who enters the jail. He

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<v Speaker 2>raised to his elbow, and when called by Deputy Brown,

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<v Speaker 2>he rapidly arose to his feet and came forward to

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<v Speaker 2>the side of the cell. The reporter's mission was explained

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<v Speaker 2>to him, and he seemed very willing to talk and

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<v Speaker 2>answered all questions readily. He stood but a moment, saying

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<v Speaker 2>that his leg heard him. He looked very much worn

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<v Speaker 2>and worried, but was not in the least nervous, and

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<v Speaker 2>talked in a clear conversational voice without his.

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<v Speaker 1>Quote.

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<v Speaker 2>Yes, I admit killing Billy. I shot him and I'm caught.

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<v Speaker 2>I would not have given myself up voluntarily, and I

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<v Speaker 2>would not have shot another man to make my escape.

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<v Speaker 2>Question where did you leave your pistol? He answered, as

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<v Speaker 2>if he hated the remembrance. I do not remember what

383
00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:22.400
<v Speaker 2>became of the thing. I decided that it was all

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<v Speaker 2>up when I crossed the long time, and was so

385
00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:27.680
<v Speaker 2>wet and tired, I did not care what happened to me.

386
00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:31.119
<v Speaker 2>Then it was out there by Cook's place, I lost

387
00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:33.519
<v Speaker 2>my pistol, and I did not care enough about anything

388
00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:36.880
<v Speaker 2>to look for it. I've been unarmed for three days.

389
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<v Speaker 2>Question how'd you get into Eugene? Answer? I ate breakfast

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<v Speaker 2>Sunday morning with the German family name grouped and dried

391
00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:49.400
<v Speaker 2>out good. Then I went to a straw stack in

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00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:52.279
<v Speaker 2>a field about one hundred yards away and slept until

393
00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:56.920
<v Speaker 2>five o'clock, when I set the stack on fire, accidentally

394
00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:59.599
<v Speaker 2>trying to burn some straw to get some black ashes

395
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<v Speaker 2>to my face. I left the straw pile about half

396
00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:06.920
<v Speaker 2>past five o'clock and went to the railroad and walked

397
00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:10.759
<v Speaker 2>toward Irving. When it was dark, I circled around Irving

398
00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:13.119
<v Speaker 2>below the town and got on the track again and

399
00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:17.039
<v Speaker 2>walked to Eugene. I was held up a mile from Eugene,

400
00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:20.039
<v Speaker 2>but I was unarmed. The two men did not want me.

401
00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:25.079
<v Speaker 2>Question did you stop at any house in Eugene?

402
00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:27.079
<v Speaker 1>Answer? No, I did not.

403
00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:30.759
<v Speaker 2>I went around that hill Skinner's Butte, and rested a

404
00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:34.440
<v Speaker 2>while under those fir trees. I got here about one o'clock.

405
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<v Speaker 2>Question did you try to leave on the southbound passenger train?

406
00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:40.880
<v Speaker 1>Answer?

407
00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:44.480
<v Speaker 2>Now, I waited until that train was out and struck

408
00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:47.200
<v Speaker 2>down the track. My leg hurt me, so I could

409
00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:49.480
<v Speaker 2>not walk more than three hundred yards at a time.

410
00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:53.240
<v Speaker 2>Then i'd have to rest. I got out near Gashing

411
00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:56.880
<v Speaker 2>and slept a little while near some ties. Pretty Soon

412
00:27:56.960 --> 00:28:00.519
<v Speaker 2>I got up and went on to Cresswell. Question what

413
00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:03.079
<v Speaker 2>made you show up in Cresswell at daytime?

414
00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:03.960
<v Speaker 1>Answer?

415
00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:07.000
<v Speaker 2>I don't know, I don't care what came of me,

416
00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:10.759
<v Speaker 2>and I don't now. He added the last with a

417
00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:15.559
<v Speaker 2>painful short laugh, but immediately recovered the worried look with

418
00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:20.440
<v Speaker 2>which he had been talking. Question what made you shoot Withers?

419
00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:21.559
<v Speaker 1>Answer?

420
00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:24.119
<v Speaker 2>Ah, I told him I wouldn't go with him and

421
00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:27.799
<v Speaker 2>wanted to be stubborn. I guess my wife commenced to

422
00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:30.200
<v Speaker 2>plead for me, and I saw a small chance to

423
00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:33.400
<v Speaker 2>get away. Billy didn't have his gun pulled, so I

424
00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:35.400
<v Speaker 2>thought I would hold him up and force him to

425
00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:38.880
<v Speaker 2>let go. He held me by the coat. I had

426
00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:42.200
<v Speaker 2>my gun in my pocket. I just pointed at him

427
00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:44.799
<v Speaker 2>from my side when I saw the chance and fired.

428
00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:48.200
<v Speaker 2>I wish I hadn't right away, but I ran as

429
00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:49.279
<v Speaker 2>fast as I could.

430
00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:51.480
<v Speaker 1>Question, if the.

431
00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:53.839
<v Speaker 2>House had been surrounded with men, would you have fought

432
00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:54.599
<v Speaker 2>your way through?

433
00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:56.720
<v Speaker 1>Answer?

434
00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:59.799
<v Speaker 2>No, I would have quit right there when I shot.

435
00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:02.200
<v Speaker 2>I said, that was the last shooting for me.

436
00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.119
<v Speaker 1>Question.

437
00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:06.559
<v Speaker 2>Was your father in the room at the time of

438
00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:07.160
<v Speaker 2>the shooting?

439
00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:08.400
<v Speaker 1>Answer?

440
00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:11.839
<v Speaker 2>Nah, he was in the dining room talking with mother.

441
00:29:12.359 --> 00:29:17.240
<v Speaker 2>Wife was in the room pleading for me with Billy lions.

442
00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:21.880
<v Speaker 2>Cannot plead insanity as he is perfectly rational, he added,

443
00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:26.200
<v Speaker 2>You're entirely welcome to the reporters. Thank you at the

444
00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:29.920
<v Speaker 2>conclusion of the talk, and resumed his couch in the

445
00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:40.400
<v Speaker 2>corner of the cell. February twelfth, nineteen o three, when

446
00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:44.559
<v Speaker 2>the grave clouds clanked dismally upon the untimely remains of

447
00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:48.640
<v Speaker 2>the late Sheriff Withers, the curtain of life stage of

448
00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:51.920
<v Speaker 2>action was wrung down upon the spectacle of an honest

449
00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:56.400
<v Speaker 2>man severed from his loving family and doting friends by

450
00:29:56.440 --> 00:30:01.519
<v Speaker 2>an assassin's foul deed. The second at the placing of

451
00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:06.680
<v Speaker 2>responsibility for the cowardly act upon Lions, the dastard and

452
00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:10.480
<v Speaker 2>by his accessories, was concluded before Coroner King and his

453
00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:16.240
<v Speaker 2>veneer yesterday. The third act leading up to the finale,

454
00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:20.599
<v Speaker 2>the verdict providing for meeting out a just retribution to

455
00:30:20.640 --> 00:30:25.079
<v Speaker 2>the guilty, will soon propitiate an outraged justice and fulfill

456
00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:28.960
<v Speaker 2>and injunction of the old Mosaic law an eye for

457
00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:33.720
<v Speaker 2>an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Following are

458
00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:37.160
<v Speaker 2>the findings of fact by the Coroner's Jury, whose session

459
00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:42.279
<v Speaker 2>began Monday and ended yesterday. We the undersigned jurors, find

460
00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:45.799
<v Speaker 2>as follows. First that the body of the person exhibited

461
00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:48.119
<v Speaker 2>to us by the Coroner of Lane County as the

462
00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:51.119
<v Speaker 2>body of William W. Withers, who was at the time

463
00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:55.319
<v Speaker 2>of his death Sheriff of Lane County, Oregon. Second that

464
00:30:55.400 --> 00:30:58.079
<v Speaker 2>the said W. W. Withers came to his death from

465
00:30:58.119 --> 00:30:59.400
<v Speaker 2>a gunshot wound.

466
00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.519
<v Speaker 1>That the show that.

467
00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:04.119
<v Speaker 2>Killed the said W. W. Withers was fired by Elliott

468
00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:08.119
<v Speaker 2>Lyons with intent to kill the said W. W. Withers.

469
00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:12.480
<v Speaker 2>That the shooting was premeditated. Third, that at the time

470
00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:15.680
<v Speaker 2>of the said shooting, the said W. W. Withers was

471
00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:18.799
<v Speaker 2>in the performance of his duties as said Sheriff, and

472
00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:21.400
<v Speaker 2>was at the time of the act arresting the said

473
00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:26.279
<v Speaker 2>Elliott Lyons for a felony. Fourth that at the time

474
00:31:26.359 --> 00:31:29.359
<v Speaker 2>of the said shooting. The said Sheriff was interfered with

475
00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:32.680
<v Speaker 2>in the performance of his official duties by the wife

476
00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:35.720
<v Speaker 2>of Elliott Lyons, and by the father and mother of

477
00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:40.880
<v Speaker 2>said Elliott Lyons. Dated this eleventh day of February nineteen

478
00:31:40.920 --> 00:31:51.240
<v Speaker 2>oh three. February nineteenth, nineteen o three. A visit to

479
00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:54.359
<v Speaker 2>the County jail gives one a slight insight to the

480
00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:59.279
<v Speaker 2>life and condition of Edward Elliott Lyons, who lies incarcerated

481
00:31:59.319 --> 00:32:03.920
<v Speaker 2>awaiting trot while for the murder of Sheriff Withers. Since

482
00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:06.680
<v Speaker 2>the tragedy, he has not read any of the papers

483
00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:10.400
<v Speaker 2>containing the account of the shooting or the subsequent chase,

484
00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:12.400
<v Speaker 2>nor has he asked.

485
00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:13.200
<v Speaker 1>To see them.

486
00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:17.079
<v Speaker 2>He eats and sleeps regularly, and, as he has recovered

487
00:32:17.119 --> 00:32:20.920
<v Speaker 2>from his terrible flight, is not exhibiting any outward signs

488
00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:25.480
<v Speaker 2>of physical worry. Neither does he peer repentant of his crime.

489
00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:29.400
<v Speaker 2>He lounges on the couch in his cell or sits

490
00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:32.559
<v Speaker 2>in the solitary chair with his back to the light,

491
00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:36.160
<v Speaker 2>and reads such books as are furnished the prisoners of

492
00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:41.359
<v Speaker 2>the County Bastille. He appears comfortable and entirely oblivious of

493
00:32:41.400 --> 00:32:44.880
<v Speaker 2>his surroundings. Or the enormity of the penalty which he

494
00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:46.440
<v Speaker 2>is sure to suffer within.

495
00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:47.359
<v Speaker 1>The next two months.

496
00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:52.799
<v Speaker 2>Lions exhibits no religious tendencies which so often appear in

497
00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:56.319
<v Speaker 2>the criminals who are about to suffer death. He looks

498
00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:59.920
<v Speaker 2>well but has very little to say, sometimes passing whole

499
00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:03.880
<v Speaker 2>days without a word to anyone. In spite of this,

500
00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:09.480
<v Speaker 2>he does not appear melancholy. Missus Lyons, wife of the murderer,

501
00:33:10.079 --> 00:33:13.759
<v Speaker 2>has also become eased somewhat of her nervous tension and

502
00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:18.119
<v Speaker 2>sees things in a more rational light. She appears to

503
00:33:18.160 --> 00:33:21.799
<v Speaker 2>feel the disgrace more than her husband. The routine of

504
00:33:21.880 --> 00:33:25.000
<v Speaker 2>jail life has also agreed with her, and she looks

505
00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:28.680
<v Speaker 2>quite well in spite of the terrible burden upon her mind.

506
00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:38.839
<v Speaker 2>March fourth, nineteen o three. As was expected, the court

507
00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:42.200
<v Speaker 2>room was crowded to its utmost capacity this morning at

508
00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:45.880
<v Speaker 2>nine o'clock, the time for opening of court and the

509
00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:49.599
<v Speaker 2>commencement of the trial of Edward Elliott Lyons for the

510
00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:55.559
<v Speaker 2>murder of Sheriff Withers. Shortly after nine o'clock, Sheriff Fisk,

511
00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:59.920
<v Speaker 2>deputies Gainy Matthews and Harry Boun appeared in court with

512
00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:03.559
<v Speaker 2>the prisoner who appeared just the same as on previous days.

513
00:34:04.440 --> 00:34:07.119
<v Speaker 2>He has an appearance of trying to withhold tears at

514
00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:10.760
<v Speaker 2>all times, his mouth being drawn down at the corners,

515
00:34:10.800 --> 00:34:15.320
<v Speaker 2>and his eyes were constantly moist and glistening. The prisoner

516
00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:17.760
<v Speaker 2>wears the same clothes in which he fled through the

517
00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:20.840
<v Speaker 2>country during the exciting chase of a few weeks ago,

518
00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:24.559
<v Speaker 2>with the exception of his shoes, which were rendered worthless.

519
00:34:25.639 --> 00:34:28.960
<v Speaker 2>He wears a pair of arctic gaiters and court no

520
00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:32.679
<v Speaker 2>vest and a soft shirt. He took a seat between

521
00:34:32.679 --> 00:34:36.639
<v Speaker 2>the deputies and behind his attorney and nodded to prosecuting

522
00:34:36.679 --> 00:34:41.920
<v Speaker 2>Attorney Brown. He assumed his customary position, hands clasped in

523
00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:47.440
<v Speaker 2>front of him, feet crossed, and chin considerably elevated. At

524
00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:50.519
<v Speaker 2>but one time did the accused speak to his attorney,

525
00:34:50.679 --> 00:34:53.920
<v Speaker 2>and he told him that Juror Jenkins, who was being examined,

526
00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:57.199
<v Speaker 2>had conversed with him in jail and had acted as

527
00:34:57.239 --> 00:34:58.000
<v Speaker 2>a guard.

528
00:34:57.760 --> 00:34:59.480
<v Speaker 1>In jail over the accused.

529
00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:03.920
<v Speaker 2>On this ground, the juror was challenged by the defense.

530
00:35:05.079 --> 00:35:08.280
<v Speaker 2>The policy of the defending attorney was revealed by his

531
00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:12.519
<v Speaker 2>questions to the jurors. He has something unexpected on hand.

532
00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:16.840
<v Speaker 2>The question mister Doris asked which created the excitement is

533
00:35:16.960 --> 00:35:17.599
<v Speaker 2>as follows.

534
00:35:17.679 --> 00:35:18.119
<v Speaker 1>Quote.

535
00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:21.440
<v Speaker 2>If we introduce evidence other than what has been published

536
00:35:21.760 --> 00:35:25.119
<v Speaker 2>showing that the accused did kill Sheriff Withers, but that

537
00:35:25.159 --> 00:35:28.320
<v Speaker 2>the circumstances are different from what was published, would you

538
00:35:28.360 --> 00:35:32.639
<v Speaker 2>give proper weight to the testimony from this? The policy

539
00:35:32.719 --> 00:35:36.199
<v Speaker 2>of the defense is discernible. Lions will admit that he

540
00:35:36.280 --> 00:35:38.920
<v Speaker 2>fired the shot, but he will either make a defense

541
00:35:38.960 --> 00:35:42.559
<v Speaker 2>on the plea of accident or undue provocation with the

542
00:35:42.599 --> 00:35:47.320
<v Speaker 2>hope of escaping with his neck. The examination of jurors

543
00:35:47.400 --> 00:35:51.239
<v Speaker 2>was taken up immediately after the twenty four trial. Jurors

544
00:35:51.239 --> 00:35:54.360
<v Speaker 2>had been examined, but nine of them were found qualified

545
00:35:54.400 --> 00:35:57.760
<v Speaker 2>to serve as jurors on the case. The veneer was

546
00:35:57.840 --> 00:36:01.000
<v Speaker 2>exhausted and the order given for a new a fifteen

547
00:36:01.079 --> 00:36:06.000
<v Speaker 2>qualified jurymen. The jurymen selected were allowed their liberty in

548
00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:10.280
<v Speaker 2>the interim. Lyons leaned on his elbow in the meantime

549
00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:15.920
<v Speaker 2>and slowly scrutinized the various lawyers and the judge in court. L. T.

550
00:36:16.199 --> 00:36:20.480
<v Speaker 2>Harris made the opening statement for the prosecution. He recalled

551
00:36:20.599 --> 00:36:24.280
<v Speaker 2>rapidly the event's incident to the shocking tragedy of February

552
00:36:24.320 --> 00:36:26.800
<v Speaker 2>fifth and the facts in the case as to the

553
00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:30.119
<v Speaker 2>performance of the deed. The statement was brief and to

554
00:36:30.199 --> 00:36:34.079
<v Speaker 2>the point, intending to show that Elliott Lyons was the murderer.

555
00:36:34.639 --> 00:36:39.079
<v Speaker 2>No recess was announced. Attorney George B. Doris addressed the

556
00:36:39.159 --> 00:36:42.679
<v Speaker 2>jury as to the course of the defense. He said,

557
00:36:42.719 --> 00:36:45.280
<v Speaker 2>in part, I have been appointed to see that a

558
00:36:45.360 --> 00:36:48.519
<v Speaker 2>human being has a fair trial. I do not appear

559
00:36:48.559 --> 00:36:51.280
<v Speaker 2>here to try to defeat the ends of justice, but

560
00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:54.440
<v Speaker 2>to see that mister Lyons secures what every human is

561
00:36:54.599 --> 00:36:57.760
<v Speaker 2>entitled to, a fair trial by jury of his countrymen.

562
00:36:58.119 --> 00:37:00.599
<v Speaker 2>If the state fails to prove at every point, it

563
00:37:00.719 --> 00:37:03.679
<v Speaker 2>is my sworn duty to see that the defendant has

564
00:37:03.719 --> 00:37:08.800
<v Speaker 2>the advantage of the omission. Doctor Payne was the first

565
00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:12.480
<v Speaker 2>witness called. He testified as to the condition and appearance

566
00:37:12.519 --> 00:37:14.599
<v Speaker 2>of the dying sheriff when he reached him on the

567
00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:19.079
<v Speaker 2>afternoon of February sixth. He testified that Withers stated to him,

568
00:37:19.119 --> 00:37:22.400
<v Speaker 2>while under the fear of death, that Lyon's mother, father,

569
00:37:22.480 --> 00:37:26.119
<v Speaker 2>and wife had interfered and held him, and Lyons shot him.

570
00:37:26.880 --> 00:37:29.480
<v Speaker 2>The course of the bullet was described as being from

571
00:37:29.480 --> 00:37:32.199
<v Speaker 2>the front to the back of the neck, extending downward

572
00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:37.000
<v Speaker 2>paralyzing the man from his neck down. Doctor Day, the

573
00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:41.599
<v Speaker 2>second witness, corroborated the testimony of doctor Payne, including the

574
00:37:41.719 --> 00:37:45.320
<v Speaker 2>damaging statement which Withers had made concerning the interference of

575
00:37:45.360 --> 00:37:50.440
<v Speaker 2>the wife, mother, and father of lions. Constable A. J.

576
00:37:50.760 --> 00:37:54.840
<v Speaker 2>Smith recited the events leading to and subsequent to the shooting.

577
00:37:55.440 --> 00:37:59.079
<v Speaker 2>He was with the sheriff and assisted in arresting Elliott Lyons.

578
00:37:59.519 --> 00:38:02.599
<v Speaker 2>He heard the Sheriff's voice and the shot fired, broke

579
00:38:02.639 --> 00:38:06.000
<v Speaker 2>into the house and found Sheriff Withers prostrate with a

580
00:38:06.039 --> 00:38:07.480
<v Speaker 2>bullet wound in his neck.

581
00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:08.760
<v Speaker 1>WJ.

582
00:38:08.920 --> 00:38:13.440
<v Speaker 2>Cornelius introduced testimony damaging in the extreme to the father, mother,

583
00:38:13.519 --> 00:38:17.199
<v Speaker 2>and wife of the accused. He was deputized by Sheriff

584
00:38:17.199 --> 00:38:20.119
<v Speaker 2>Withers and stationed with Smith at the rear of the house.

585
00:38:20.960 --> 00:38:23.599
<v Speaker 2>He heard a scuffle in the interior of the lion's

586
00:38:23.639 --> 00:38:27.559
<v Speaker 2>home and heard Withers say let go let loose, let

587
00:38:27.599 --> 00:38:30.599
<v Speaker 2>go of me three or four times during the scuffle,

588
00:38:31.000 --> 00:38:34.559
<v Speaker 2>just previous to the shot quote. I went in with

589
00:38:34.679 --> 00:38:37.719
<v Speaker 2>Smith and found Withers on the floor. He said to

590
00:38:37.840 --> 00:38:41.199
<v Speaker 2>us boys, I guess they've got me. Lion shot me

591
00:38:41.239 --> 00:38:44.239
<v Speaker 2>and has gone out the front door. These folks held

592
00:38:44.280 --> 00:38:46.440
<v Speaker 2>me and I told them to let loose, and they

593
00:38:46.480 --> 00:38:51.559
<v Speaker 2>wouldn't unquote Marshall's styles went on the stand and swore

594
00:38:51.599 --> 00:38:54.800
<v Speaker 2>to the accuracy of a drawing of the premises which

595
00:38:54.880 --> 00:38:59.400
<v Speaker 2>was introduced as evidence. Sheriff Fisk testified that the warrant

596
00:38:59.400 --> 00:39:02.800
<v Speaker 2>for lions for horse stealing was in the office prior

597
00:39:02.880 --> 00:39:06.719
<v Speaker 2>to the tragedy. Later, he identified a bundle which was

598
00:39:06.719 --> 00:39:09.840
<v Speaker 2>taken from the prisoner by the posse at Creswell, and

599
00:39:09.960 --> 00:39:12.960
<v Speaker 2>also a revolver which was in the bundle at the time.

600
00:39:13.880 --> 00:39:17.480
<v Speaker 2>The members of the arresting posse from Creswell were examined.

601
00:39:17.840 --> 00:39:21.400
<v Speaker 2>Nothing new was deducted from their testimony, excepting that of

602
00:39:21.440 --> 00:39:24.840
<v Speaker 2>Hamilton Veech, who said that Lyons stated that he only

603
00:39:24.880 --> 00:39:28.519
<v Speaker 2>intended to break Withers's arm or shoulder, and not to

604
00:39:28.639 --> 00:39:33.679
<v Speaker 2>kill him. Morrison White, a boy of Eugene, testified that

605
00:39:33.719 --> 00:39:37.840
<v Speaker 2>he sold two horses for lions. J. M. Williams produced

606
00:39:37.840 --> 00:39:43.000
<v Speaker 2>the bullet extracted from Withers's body. Justice Wintermeyer recited the

607
00:39:43.079 --> 00:39:46.920
<v Speaker 2>arrayment of the prisoner, and the Grandeur said that yesterday

608
00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:50.440
<v Speaker 2>Lion said in jail that anybody who valued his life

609
00:39:50.519 --> 00:39:54.679
<v Speaker 2>would not have come after him at this junction, the

610
00:39:54.719 --> 00:39:59.320
<v Speaker 2>state rested its case. The most exciting and dramatic event

611
00:39:59.480 --> 00:40:03.280
<v Speaker 2>of the entire week occurred this afternoon, just after four o'clock.

612
00:40:03.880 --> 00:40:06.559
<v Speaker 2>It was the appearance of the aged and helpless mother

613
00:40:06.639 --> 00:40:10.360
<v Speaker 2>and father of Elliot Lions. A sad scene was witnessed

614
00:40:10.360 --> 00:40:13.440
<v Speaker 2>in the courtroom when the aged parents of Elliot Lions

615
00:40:13.480 --> 00:40:17.280
<v Speaker 2>were brought in court to testify for their son. The

616
00:40:17.400 --> 00:40:21.800
<v Speaker 2>carriage was sent for them. Grandmother Lions, sixty six years

617
00:40:21.840 --> 00:40:26.519
<v Speaker 2>of age, feeble and nervous and sobbing convulsively, was carried

618
00:40:26.559 --> 00:40:29.760
<v Speaker 2>to the witness stand in a chair for some time.

619
00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:33.119
<v Speaker 2>She was unable to control her feelings and sobbed out

620
00:40:33.159 --> 00:40:38.079
<v Speaker 2>the words my heart is broken. Prompted by excitement, the

621
00:40:38.119 --> 00:40:42.320
<v Speaker 2>crowd surged forward, and Judge Hamilton was several times compelled

622
00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:45.320
<v Speaker 2>to threaten to have the courtroom cleared to preserve order.

623
00:40:46.079 --> 00:40:50.039
<v Speaker 2>The prisoner exhibited visible signs of remorse for the first time,

624
00:40:50.559 --> 00:40:55.000
<v Speaker 2>and tears welled into his eyes. The prisoner did not

625
00:40:55.159 --> 00:41:00.880
<v Speaker 2>break down, although momentarily had the appearance of doing so.

626
00:41:00.960 --> 00:41:03.960
<v Speaker 2>The mother was carried into court on pillows and was

627
00:41:04.000 --> 00:41:08.679
<v Speaker 2>attended by several ladies. She testified somewhat differently concerning the

628
00:41:08.719 --> 00:41:11.880
<v Speaker 2>events in the house. She said she never heard Withers

629
00:41:11.880 --> 00:41:15.280
<v Speaker 2>say anything, never touched them, but pleaded with him to

630
00:41:15.360 --> 00:41:19.480
<v Speaker 2>know the reason for the arrest. Mister Lyons testified the

631
00:41:19.519 --> 00:41:29.639
<v Speaker 2>same things March fifth, nineteen oh three, in the Circuit

632
00:41:29.679 --> 00:41:33.079
<v Speaker 2>Court of the State of Oregon, County of Lane, the

633
00:41:33.119 --> 00:41:37.800
<v Speaker 2>State of Oregon, plaintiff versus Elliott Lyons, defendant. We the

634
00:41:37.920 --> 00:41:42.119
<v Speaker 2>jury and paneled to try the above case. Find the defendant,

635
00:41:42.199 --> 00:41:45.280
<v Speaker 2>Elliott Lions, guilty of the crime of murder in the

636
00:41:45.320 --> 00:41:50.400
<v Speaker 2>first degree, as charged in the indictment signed M. J.

637
00:41:50.760 --> 00:41:52.519
<v Speaker 1>Hilligas foreman.

638
00:41:55.079 --> 00:41:58.320
<v Speaker 2>Such was the verdict the jury brought in after ten

639
00:41:58.360 --> 00:42:00.880
<v Speaker 2>minutes deliberation, and which.

640
00:42:00.719 --> 00:42:02.519
<v Speaker 1>Will hang Elliot Lions.

641
00:42:04.199 --> 00:42:07.960
<v Speaker 2>The court chambers was crowded to their utmost capacity by

642
00:42:08.000 --> 00:42:12.280
<v Speaker 2>interested spectators. About five hundred people were in the room

643
00:42:12.360 --> 00:42:17.519
<v Speaker 2>at the opening of court. Elliot Lions, the accused murderer,

644
00:42:17.800 --> 00:42:21.400
<v Speaker 2>was brought in at nine o'clock. The prisoner was seated

645
00:42:21.480 --> 00:42:24.320
<v Speaker 2>in front of the jury box, facing the witness stand,

646
00:42:24.679 --> 00:42:27.760
<v Speaker 2>with his back to the audience, and between Sheriff Fisk

647
00:42:27.880 --> 00:42:33.079
<v Speaker 2>and Deputy Sheriff Bound. Lyons's appearance in court was much

648
00:42:33.119 --> 00:42:35.960
<v Speaker 2>the same as Monday and Tuesday, except that he was

649
00:42:36.000 --> 00:42:39.039
<v Speaker 2>a trifle more at ease and occasionally looked about him.

650
00:42:39.679 --> 00:42:43.760
<v Speaker 2>His expression of countenance was, however, abject in the extreme.

651
00:42:44.920 --> 00:42:48.239
<v Speaker 2>At eight fifty five, or just twenty minutes after retiring,

652
00:42:48.719 --> 00:42:52.920
<v Speaker 2>the jury reported a verdict of murder in the first degree,

653
00:42:53.039 --> 00:42:56.920
<v Speaker 2>and the verdict was read lions. His head dropped, the

654
00:42:57.000 --> 00:42:59.639
<v Speaker 2>muscles of his face twitched, and for a time it

655
00:42:59.639 --> 00:43:01.960
<v Speaker 2>looked as if he would give way to his feelings,

656
00:43:02.559 --> 00:43:23.599
<v Speaker 2>throwing his head back and assuming this customary position. Enjoy

657
00:43:23.760 --> 00:43:30.119
<v Speaker 2>ad free listening at the safehouse. Dubbadubbadubba dot Patreon dot com,

658
00:43:30.159 --> 00:43:49.480
<v Speaker 2>slash true crime Historian March twenty first, nineteen o three,

659
00:43:51.000 --> 00:43:55.360
<v Speaker 2>by the courtesy of Sheriff Fred Fisk. A newspaper representative

660
00:43:55.480 --> 00:43:58.840
<v Speaker 2>was admitted to the county jail this morning and permitted

661
00:43:58.880 --> 00:44:04.360
<v Speaker 2>to converse with the murderer, Elliott Lyons. The prisoner was

662
00:44:04.440 --> 00:44:07.519
<v Speaker 2>sitting in his lone chair in the narrow prison cell

663
00:44:07.639 --> 00:44:12.119
<v Speaker 2>with his hands folded. He looked up quite interested when

664
00:44:12.159 --> 00:44:15.559
<v Speaker 2>the reporter entered and recognized him as a previous interviewer.

665
00:44:16.079 --> 00:44:19.519
<v Speaker 2>Extending his hand between the gratings of steel as a greeting,

666
00:44:20.159 --> 00:44:26.480
<v Speaker 2>he shook hands fervently. Lions resumed his seat, making commonplace

667
00:44:26.559 --> 00:44:31.599
<v Speaker 2>remarks about his surroundings, laughing frequently, not seeming to be

668
00:44:31.679 --> 00:44:34.360
<v Speaker 2>under a great strain, as would become a man who

669
00:44:34.400 --> 00:44:37.280
<v Speaker 2>has less than a month of precious life on earth.

670
00:44:37.920 --> 00:44:41.199
<v Speaker 2>In answer to a question about how he felt, he remarked,

671
00:44:41.840 --> 00:44:44.079
<v Speaker 2>it does not seem that I have done what I have.

672
00:44:45.119 --> 00:44:47.559
<v Speaker 2>I have not been such a bad character as you.

673
00:44:47.519 --> 00:44:48.519
<v Speaker 1>People may think.

674
00:44:49.119 --> 00:44:51.480
<v Speaker 2>I've never been drunk in my life, and I've never

675
00:44:51.519 --> 00:44:54.800
<v Speaker 2>played a game of cards in a saloon. I was

676
00:44:54.840 --> 00:44:57.360
<v Speaker 2>not in the habit of doing such things at all.

677
00:44:58.079 --> 00:44:58.440
<v Speaker 1>Question.

678
00:44:58.920 --> 00:45:01.280
<v Speaker 2>It has been stated that you were penitent of your

679
00:45:01.320 --> 00:45:03.199
<v Speaker 2>crime and professed conversion.

680
00:45:03.519 --> 00:45:04.000
<v Speaker 1>Answer.

681
00:45:04.280 --> 00:45:07.800
<v Speaker 2>I have always believed in the Almighty and his power

682
00:45:07.920 --> 00:45:12.920
<v Speaker 2>to save and do Now. I'm not going crazy on religion,

683
00:45:12.960 --> 00:45:16.119
<v Speaker 2>mind you, but I think the Bible contains the truth

684
00:45:16.360 --> 00:45:20.039
<v Speaker 2>and I will be guided by it. Question do you

685
00:45:20.119 --> 00:45:26.079
<v Speaker 2>read much? Answer? Yes, I do considerable reading. See my Bible.

686
00:45:26.960 --> 00:45:30.119
<v Speaker 2>He pointed to a well thumbed Bible furnished him by

687
00:45:30.119 --> 00:45:33.920
<v Speaker 2>religious visitors. It lay between the bars by the side

688
00:45:33.960 --> 00:45:37.159
<v Speaker 2>of a tobacco pouch and a bunch of matches marked

689
00:45:37.159 --> 00:45:41.800
<v Speaker 2>at various passages with bits of paper he added, I

690
00:45:41.840 --> 00:45:45.519
<v Speaker 2>get a few magazines in the like the papers did

691
00:45:45.559 --> 00:45:48.119
<v Speaker 2>me wrong by saying that I did not regret what

692
00:45:48.199 --> 00:45:52.079
<v Speaker 2>I did. No one regretted the shooting worse than I did.

693
00:45:52.719 --> 00:45:55.079
<v Speaker 2>I did not see the papers, but my wife wrote

694
00:45:55.119 --> 00:45:58.039
<v Speaker 2>me about it. You should be fair on a fellow anyway.

695
00:45:59.360 --> 00:46:03.599
<v Speaker 2>It is evident that Lions considers himself considerably abused by

696
00:46:03.599 --> 00:46:06.599
<v Speaker 2>the public and the press. He does not seem to

697
00:46:06.639 --> 00:46:09.519
<v Speaker 2>realize the fact that he killed one of the most

698
00:46:09.559 --> 00:46:12.480
<v Speaker 2>popular and one of the finest men in the county.

699
00:46:13.599 --> 00:46:17.159
<v Speaker 2>He half justifies his act at the same time, saying

700
00:46:17.199 --> 00:46:21.159
<v Speaker 2>he regrets it in a half hearted way. He has

701
00:46:21.199 --> 00:46:25.039
<v Speaker 2>a proud spirit, although he does not resent direct allusion

702
00:46:25.119 --> 00:46:29.239
<v Speaker 2>to his deed. Question do you feel the weight of

703
00:46:29.280 --> 00:46:34.000
<v Speaker 2>your guilt? Answer well, I don't feel nervous or strung up,

704
00:46:34.039 --> 00:46:36.880
<v Speaker 2>if that's what you mean. Yes, I eat well and

705
00:46:36.960 --> 00:46:40.559
<v Speaker 2>sleep passably well, he added, with a glance at the

706
00:46:40.559 --> 00:46:44.880
<v Speaker 2>betting stuffed in the corner. At one time, the prisoner

707
00:46:44.960 --> 00:46:47.760
<v Speaker 2>laughed long and loud at some remark that was made

708
00:46:47.840 --> 00:46:51.039
<v Speaker 2>by one of the inmates of the jail. He appears

709
00:46:51.079 --> 00:46:54.719
<v Speaker 2>to enjoy a good joke, but recovers a serious mean

710
00:46:54.920 --> 00:46:59.880
<v Speaker 2>quite promptly. Religious visitors are admitted to talk with lions.

711
00:47:00.599 --> 00:47:04.559
<v Speaker 2>Among the visitors are Reverend John Hansaker, Reverend Woolly, and

712
00:47:04.639 --> 00:47:09.840
<v Speaker 2>Reverend Green. He has encouraged their efforts after a few

713
00:47:09.920 --> 00:47:15.679
<v Speaker 2>inconsequential remarks. The prisoner responded to the farewell salutation politely

714
00:47:16.159 --> 00:47:18.679
<v Speaker 2>and turned his eyes toward the blue opening in the

715
00:47:18.719 --> 00:47:22.159
<v Speaker 2>wall of the jail, the only evidence of the joyous

716
00:47:22.199 --> 00:47:26.280
<v Speaker 2>springtimes he is able to see. With an expression half

717
00:47:26.360 --> 00:47:30.440
<v Speaker 2>longing and half musing on his face, was left to

718
00:47:30.480 --> 00:47:33.840
<v Speaker 2>the lonely vigil of the death Watch, who paced to

719
00:47:33.920 --> 00:47:47.800
<v Speaker 2>and fro in front of his cell. April seventeenth, nineteen

720
00:47:47.880 --> 00:47:55.280
<v Speaker 2>o three, Edward Elliott Lyons, the slayer of Sheriff Withers,

721
00:47:56.039 --> 00:47:58.760
<v Speaker 2>this morning, at nine thirty one o'clock, dropped to his

722
00:47:58.920 --> 00:48:03.880
<v Speaker 2>death through the sky floor in the jail yard at Eugene,

723
00:48:03.920 --> 00:48:07.960
<v Speaker 2>Thus in expiation of the crime of murdering Sheriff Withers,

724
00:48:08.320 --> 00:48:13.880
<v Speaker 2>February fifth of this year, near Walton, Suslaw Valley. The

725
00:48:13.920 --> 00:48:17.280
<v Speaker 2>only previous hanging in Lane County was that of Claude

726
00:48:17.280 --> 00:48:22.800
<v Speaker 2>Branton Friday, May twelfth, eighteen ninety eight. Branton was convicted

727
00:48:22.840 --> 00:48:25.760
<v Speaker 2>of and executed for the murder of John A. Lynn

728
00:48:26.199 --> 00:48:29.039
<v Speaker 2>near the summit of the Cascade Mountains on the night

729
00:48:29.079 --> 00:48:34.119
<v Speaker 2>of June fifth of the previous year, Branton cremated the

730
00:48:34.159 --> 00:48:37.719
<v Speaker 2>remains of his victim, taking all night for the burning.

731
00:48:40.000 --> 00:48:45.159
<v Speaker 2>Sheriff Withers performed this disagreeable duty of the hanging of Branton.

732
00:48:47.920 --> 00:48:52.719
<v Speaker 2>To Sheriff Fisk, the successor of W. W. Withers, came

733
00:48:52.760 --> 00:48:55.800
<v Speaker 2>the duty of hanging the slayer of his former chief.

734
00:48:56.639 --> 00:48:59.360
<v Speaker 2>There are things about a hanging which cause even the

735
00:48:59.440 --> 00:49:03.599
<v Speaker 2>duty bound and officers of the law to WinCE. Yesterday,

736
00:49:03.719 --> 00:49:06.960
<v Speaker 2>Sheriff Fisk was asked for an invitation to the hanging.

737
00:49:07.800 --> 00:49:10.480
<v Speaker 2>He respectfully said that there were no more to be issued.

738
00:49:11.440 --> 00:49:14.360
<v Speaker 2>He said, if you ever come out for public office,

739
00:49:14.360 --> 00:49:16.480
<v Speaker 2>I will vote for you if you give me a ticket,

740
00:49:16.760 --> 00:49:20.119
<v Speaker 2>and if you won't, I won't vote for you. Fisk

741
00:49:20.239 --> 00:49:24.119
<v Speaker 2>answered him, saying, I'm not for sale on any such grounds.

742
00:49:24.480 --> 00:49:27.079
<v Speaker 2>If I had one hundred invitations to give out, I

743
00:49:27.079 --> 00:49:30.440
<v Speaker 2>would not give you one. After such a statement and

744
00:49:30.519 --> 00:49:34.320
<v Speaker 2>the dowty sheriff turned to walk away, and both noticed

745
00:49:34.360 --> 00:49:38.119
<v Speaker 2>for the first time a reporter was standing near. It

746
00:49:38.199 --> 00:49:43.519
<v Speaker 2>speaks well for Fred. At nine fifteen Friday morning, Sheriff

747
00:49:43.559 --> 00:49:47.800
<v Speaker 2>Fred Fisk, followed by the jury of twelve men and physicians,

748
00:49:47.920 --> 00:49:51.800
<v Speaker 2>Pain and Day, left the courthouse and proceeded to the

749
00:49:51.880 --> 00:49:55.960
<v Speaker 2>enclosure within the jail yard. The door to the enclosure

750
00:49:56.079 --> 00:49:59.320
<v Speaker 2>was then opened to those holding passes, and soon the

751
00:49:59.360 --> 00:50:04.199
<v Speaker 2>place was filled with spectators. The awfulness of the occasion

752
00:50:04.320 --> 00:50:07.480
<v Speaker 2>seemed to be felt by the crowd, and all talking

753
00:50:07.599 --> 00:50:08.320
<v Speaker 2>was carried on.

754
00:50:08.400 --> 00:50:09.679
<v Speaker 1>In subdued tones.

755
00:50:10.760 --> 00:50:15.440
<v Speaker 2>Sheriff Fisk maintained a firm, determined countenance while he paced

756
00:50:15.480 --> 00:50:19.039
<v Speaker 2>a bit restlessly back and forth, watching the big clock

757
00:50:19.119 --> 00:50:23.679
<v Speaker 2>in the courthouse tower. About nine to twenty, he mounted

758
00:50:23.679 --> 00:50:27.480
<v Speaker 2>the scaffold and carefully examined the death trap, which was

759
00:50:27.519 --> 00:50:31.199
<v Speaker 2>found to be in perfect order. In one corner of

760
00:50:31.239 --> 00:50:34.840
<v Speaker 2>the small enclosure, a photographer was mounted on a high

761
00:50:34.840 --> 00:50:38.559
<v Speaker 2>step ladder with a camera adjusted in proper position to

762
00:50:38.559 --> 00:50:43.239
<v Speaker 2>get a picture of the execution. Suddenly, the sturdy sheriff

763
00:50:43.320 --> 00:50:46.519
<v Speaker 2>gazed intently at the courthouse clock for a moment, then

764
00:50:46.639 --> 00:50:50.760
<v Speaker 2>turned and entered the jail. The time had arrived for

765
00:50:50.840 --> 00:50:57.960
<v Speaker 2>Elliott Lyons to give up his life. Elliot Lions spent

766
00:50:58.039 --> 00:51:02.280
<v Speaker 2>a very easy night Thursday, and rested as one having

767
00:51:02.280 --> 00:51:04.599
<v Speaker 2>no reason to think that tomorrow would be the date

768
00:51:04.679 --> 00:51:08.159
<v Speaker 2>for the end of his earthly life. He conversed with

769
00:51:08.199 --> 00:51:13.199
<v Speaker 2>the death Watch, Wallace Chamberlain, and John John's until eleven thirty,

770
00:51:13.280 --> 00:51:17.519
<v Speaker 2>when he retired. He talked cheerfully about his life in

771
00:51:17.599 --> 00:51:22.679
<v Speaker 2>southern Oregon. The death Watch eyed him continuously, but he

772
00:51:22.719 --> 00:51:25.159
<v Speaker 2>gave them no reason to think that he had designs

773
00:51:25.199 --> 00:51:27.480
<v Speaker 2>to cheat the rope of the sentence.

774
00:51:27.079 --> 00:51:27.679
<v Speaker 1>Of the law.

775
00:51:28.639 --> 00:51:31.639
<v Speaker 2>Lions slept well and did not seem to be haunted

776
00:51:31.679 --> 00:51:36.000
<v Speaker 2>by any terrible dreams. He woke at five o'clock and

777
00:51:36.119 --> 00:51:40.559
<v Speaker 2>some time later arose, and then, without any sign of nervousness,

778
00:51:40.639 --> 00:51:44.239
<v Speaker 2>chatted with his guards and stretched himself with the possible

779
00:51:44.280 --> 00:51:48.519
<v Speaker 2>attempt to appear at ease. His breakfast consisted of a

780
00:51:48.559 --> 00:51:52.000
<v Speaker 2>generous supply of ham and eggs, which he ate without

781
00:51:52.039 --> 00:51:57.440
<v Speaker 2>the least diminished appetite. Every morsel of food was consumed

782
00:51:57.440 --> 00:52:00.480
<v Speaker 2>in the coffee, of which he was quite fond, went

783
00:52:00.559 --> 00:52:05.960
<v Speaker 2>the same way. Later the prisoner underwent a partial collapse,

784
00:52:06.519 --> 00:52:08.880
<v Speaker 2>and was not until after he was visited by the

785
00:52:08.920 --> 00:52:13.599
<v Speaker 2>Reverend Billington and Handsaker, who comforted him with religious advice

786
00:52:14.199 --> 00:52:18.760
<v Speaker 2>that he braced up for the trying ordeal. Lions told

787
00:52:18.800 --> 00:52:21.960
<v Speaker 2>the ministers that he had no fears to meet his God,

788
00:52:22.599 --> 00:52:25.599
<v Speaker 2>but he hated to leave his family. He had no

789
00:52:25.880 --> 00:52:31.000
<v Speaker 2>ill feeling against any man. To some, he said that

790
00:52:31.039 --> 00:52:33.519
<v Speaker 2>the gallows would never be the cause of his death.

791
00:52:34.199 --> 00:52:36.599
<v Speaker 2>He said that on the morning which would be his last,

792
00:52:37.000 --> 00:52:39.119
<v Speaker 2>he would not have to go up the little stairs

793
00:52:39.159 --> 00:52:43.199
<v Speaker 2>to the hangman's knot. But Lions was too closely watched

794
00:52:43.280 --> 00:52:46.199
<v Speaker 2>by the death watch, who have stayed by his side

795
00:52:46.239 --> 00:52:50.599
<v Speaker 2>for several days. He never made the attempt to commit suicide,

796
00:52:51.039 --> 00:52:53.760
<v Speaker 2>as he knew it was probably useless to do so.

797
00:52:54.920 --> 00:52:58.119
<v Speaker 2>He asked for no drugs of any kind, but accepted

798
00:52:58.119 --> 00:53:02.480
<v Speaker 2>the consolations of religion as ministered by several pastors of

799
00:53:02.519 --> 00:53:03.360
<v Speaker 2>the city.

800
00:53:03.760 --> 00:53:04.360
<v Speaker 1>In the cell.

801
00:53:04.519 --> 00:53:08.039
<v Speaker 2>A few minutes before the time of his death, Lions

802
00:53:08.159 --> 00:53:10.800
<v Speaker 2>was on his knees by the side of three ministers

803
00:53:10.840 --> 00:53:15.760
<v Speaker 2>of the Gospel. They were praying fervently, and the officers

804
00:53:15.800 --> 00:53:20.840
<v Speaker 2>respectfully awaited with bowed heads for the amen before proceeding

805
00:53:20.880 --> 00:53:26.039
<v Speaker 2>to strap the prisoner. When the minister had finished, Lyon's

806
00:53:26.119 --> 00:53:30.559
<v Speaker 2>voice was raised in prayer. He offered a really splendid petition,

807
00:53:31.079 --> 00:53:36.039
<v Speaker 2>remembering his wife, his children, his parents, and all his friends,

808
00:53:36.079 --> 00:53:39.719
<v Speaker 2>in words that were uttered with trembling lips. It was

809
00:53:39.800 --> 00:53:43.239
<v Speaker 2>the only time he showed signs of breaking down. He

810
00:53:43.280 --> 00:53:46.239
<v Speaker 2>wept bitterly as he prayed and bowed his head upon

811
00:53:46.280 --> 00:53:49.840
<v Speaker 2>the bed, and as he finished and uttered his amen,

812
00:53:50.719 --> 00:53:54.920
<v Speaker 2>the keys of the deputy rattled in the lock. The

813
00:53:55.000 --> 00:53:59.559
<v Speaker 2>guards assisted him to don his coat and vest. A

814
00:53:59.559 --> 00:54:04.679
<v Speaker 2>pretty rose adorned his coat lapel. The tears were dried away,

815
00:54:05.400 --> 00:54:08.760
<v Speaker 2>and he sat straight and resigned as the straps were

816
00:54:08.760 --> 00:54:13.639
<v Speaker 2>placed about his limbs. His eyes were closed, and his

817
00:54:13.760 --> 00:54:18.000
<v Speaker 2>breath came and went rapidly, his knees trembling as he

818
00:54:18.079 --> 00:54:21.559
<v Speaker 2>supported himself by holding to the iron bars of the door.

819
00:54:23.320 --> 00:54:26.760
<v Speaker 2>At nine o'clock, Share of Fred Fisk entered the jail

820
00:54:26.880 --> 00:54:30.800
<v Speaker 2>and the cell where Lions has been confined, and read

821
00:54:30.800 --> 00:54:33.519
<v Speaker 2>to him the death warrant issued by the Circuit Court.

822
00:54:34.719 --> 00:54:38.039
<v Speaker 2>As he read, the prisoner paid close attention to the reading.

823
00:54:39.440 --> 00:54:42.440
<v Speaker 2>Reverend Green and Reverend Handsacer were in the cell with

824
00:54:42.519 --> 00:54:46.199
<v Speaker 2>the prisoner, and the latter lay stretched upon his bed

825
00:54:46.280 --> 00:54:49.719
<v Speaker 2>in his shirt sleeves, clean shaven but for his well

826
00:54:49.760 --> 00:54:55.239
<v Speaker 2>groomed mustache, and with little nervousness. He was asked to

827
00:54:55.320 --> 00:54:57.079
<v Speaker 2>sit up to listen to the warrant.

828
00:54:57.159 --> 00:54:57.519
<v Speaker 1>Red.

829
00:54:58.599 --> 00:55:01.519
<v Speaker 2>At first he did not understand, but was assisted by

830
00:55:01.519 --> 00:55:03.599
<v Speaker 2>the guards at his side to sit on the edge

831
00:55:03.639 --> 00:55:06.920
<v Speaker 2>of the bed. They tell of the clock on the

832
00:55:06.960 --> 00:55:10.599
<v Speaker 2>courthouse striking nine o'clock was the death knell to the

833
00:55:10.639 --> 00:55:14.440
<v Speaker 2>doomed prisoner, and as it sounds entered the gloom.

834
00:55:14.119 --> 00:55:14.679
<v Speaker 1>Of the cell.

835
00:55:15.400 --> 00:55:17.960
<v Speaker 2>He bowed his head slightly, while the men of the

836
00:55:18.000 --> 00:55:22.239
<v Speaker 2>gospel prayed in silence by his side upon their knees.

837
00:55:23.920 --> 00:55:27.719
<v Speaker 2>As the reading was finished, he made some inaudible remark

838
00:55:27.800 --> 00:55:31.039
<v Speaker 2>and again sank back upon his couch, and the bars

839
00:55:31.079 --> 00:55:33.480
<v Speaker 2>closed before him, to be opened again in a few

840
00:55:33.519 --> 00:55:36.840
<v Speaker 2>moments to let him breathe the air of partial freedom.

841
00:55:36.960 --> 00:55:41.320
<v Speaker 2>On his short walk to the scaffold, he begged goodbye

842
00:55:41.360 --> 00:55:44.239
<v Speaker 2>to the guards and his other friends by shaking hands.

843
00:55:45.039 --> 00:55:48.639
<v Speaker 2>He spoke his farewell words without a tremor, and looked

844
00:55:48.679 --> 00:55:53.559
<v Speaker 2>his friends squarely in the eye. Then he was told

845
00:55:53.679 --> 00:55:57.920
<v Speaker 2>all was ready. He said that he was too, and

846
00:55:58.039 --> 00:56:00.920
<v Speaker 2>fell into the procession, headed by a share of Fisk

847
00:56:01.440 --> 00:56:05.360
<v Speaker 2>and composed of four deputies and two clergymen, all of

848
00:56:05.400 --> 00:56:08.840
<v Speaker 2>whom were with him on the scaffold. Just at nine

849
00:56:08.840 --> 00:56:12.840
<v Speaker 2>point thirty the death party emerged from the jail. Share

850
00:56:12.920 --> 00:56:16.119
<v Speaker 2>of Fisk led the procession, and closely behind him came

851
00:56:16.159 --> 00:56:19.400
<v Speaker 2>the doomed man, dressed in a neat suit of black

852
00:56:19.480 --> 00:56:23.239
<v Speaker 2>clothes and low cut shoes. At the lapel of his

853
00:56:23.360 --> 00:56:27.440
<v Speaker 2>coat was pinned a pink rose. The prisoner was supported

854
00:56:27.440 --> 00:56:29.840
<v Speaker 2>on either side by the members of the death Watch,

855
00:56:30.199 --> 00:56:35.000
<v Speaker 2>and his arms were strapped tightly to his body. Lions

856
00:56:35.079 --> 00:56:39.039
<v Speaker 2>gave evidence of labored breathing, and there was ghastly pallor

857
00:56:39.119 --> 00:56:42.519
<v Speaker 2>on his face, but his walk was very firm. As

858
00:56:42.559 --> 00:56:46.800
<v Speaker 2>he mounted the steps to the gallows, he seemed utterly

859
00:56:46.880 --> 00:56:49.639
<v Speaker 2>unconscious of those about him, and looked neither to the

860
00:56:49.719 --> 00:56:53.199
<v Speaker 2>right nor to the left. He walked bravely to the

861
00:56:53.199 --> 00:56:57.159
<v Speaker 2>foot of the scaffold and mounted the steps without assistance.

862
00:56:57.920 --> 00:57:01.320
<v Speaker 2>A prepared board was ready to him if he gave away,

863
00:57:02.440 --> 00:57:05.199
<v Speaker 2>but there was no need of it. He took his

864
00:57:05.280 --> 00:57:10.000
<v Speaker 2>place and clenched his fist, determined to display no nervousness.

865
00:57:12.000 --> 00:57:15.280
<v Speaker 2>Lions was quickly placed in the proper position, and his

866
00:57:15.440 --> 00:57:20.760
<v Speaker 2>legs strapped firmly together. The voice of Sheriff Fisk broke

867
00:57:20.840 --> 00:57:26.840
<v Speaker 2>the stillness with mister Lyons, have you anything to say? No,

868
00:57:27.639 --> 00:57:31.079
<v Speaker 2>only this, I think everyone who's been kind to me

869
00:57:31.679 --> 00:57:34.400
<v Speaker 2>May God forgive you people, for you know not what

870
00:57:34.440 --> 00:57:38.840
<v Speaker 2>you do. That's all muttered the unfortunate being as he

871
00:57:38.960 --> 00:57:42.920
<v Speaker 2>gasped for breath. The victim heaved a sigh as he

872
00:57:43.000 --> 00:57:45.760
<v Speaker 2>cast a last glance at the upturned faces of the

873
00:57:45.800 --> 00:57:49.440
<v Speaker 2>crowd and closed his eyes, and the black cap was

874
00:57:49.480 --> 00:57:54.519
<v Speaker 2>pulled down over his face. The Reverend Green spoke, mister

875
00:57:54.599 --> 00:57:57.400
<v Speaker 2>Lyons wishes to thank all his friends who have been

876
00:57:57.440 --> 00:58:00.760
<v Speaker 2>so kind as to call upon him during the imprisonment,

877
00:58:01.519 --> 00:58:05.079
<v Speaker 2>all relatives for their sympathy, and the officials who have

878
00:58:05.159 --> 00:58:10.119
<v Speaker 2>showed him kind consideration. He has confessed his crime, and

879
00:58:10.199 --> 00:58:13.320
<v Speaker 2>may God receive his soul as it leaves the serve.

880
00:58:15.119 --> 00:58:19.480
<v Speaker 2>Sheriff Fisk quickly adjusted the noose around the murderer's neck,

881
00:58:20.280 --> 00:58:23.480
<v Speaker 2>made a swift movement with the hand, and the body

882
00:58:23.519 --> 00:58:28.159
<v Speaker 2>of Elliot Lions shot swiftly downward, and his soul passed

883
00:58:28.199 --> 00:58:32.559
<v Speaker 2>to the great beyond. The body dropped about seven feet,

884
00:58:33.119 --> 00:58:38.079
<v Speaker 2>unjointing the neck. The body doubled convulsively once and then

885
00:58:38.159 --> 00:58:43.119
<v Speaker 2>straightened out and hung in stillness until fourteen minutes had passed,

886
00:58:43.519 --> 00:58:48.519
<v Speaker 2>when doctor's day and Pain pronounced him dead. Missus Elliot

887
00:58:48.599 --> 00:58:53.960
<v Speaker 2>Lions and Benton lions wife and brother. The hangedman signed

888
00:58:54.000 --> 00:58:57.400
<v Speaker 2>the receipt for his body, and undertaker Day removed it

889
00:58:57.440 --> 00:59:03.159
<v Speaker 2>from the jail yard. Sheriff Fred Fisk has handled the

890
00:59:03.239 --> 00:59:06.880
<v Speaker 2>details of the affair from the start, and no item

891
00:59:06.920 --> 00:59:09.360
<v Speaker 2>has escaped him which he could use to make the

892
00:59:09.440 --> 00:59:13.000
<v Speaker 2>event one which had appealed to the morbidness which attaches

893
00:59:13.079 --> 00:59:17.960
<v Speaker 2>itself to similar things. He conducted the direction of the

894
00:59:18.000 --> 00:59:22.639
<v Speaker 2>posses which were after Lions. Every avenue was guarded, every

895
00:59:22.719 --> 00:59:26.400
<v Speaker 2>lane had a man watching for the fugitive. The system

896
00:59:26.480 --> 00:59:29.480
<v Speaker 2>was perfect and there was no means for escape, as

897
00:59:29.519 --> 00:59:33.480
<v Speaker 2>the captured man soon found. Fisk and his deputies have

898
00:59:33.599 --> 00:59:38.320
<v Speaker 2>done an excellent work and deserve commendation for their thankless labors.

899
00:59:39.480 --> 00:59:42.320
<v Speaker 2>It was less than a minute from the time Lions

900
00:59:42.400 --> 00:59:45.480
<v Speaker 2>reached the top of the scaffold until he was swung

901
00:59:45.559 --> 00:59:52.159
<v Speaker 2>at the end of the rope. Immediately following the execution,

902
00:59:52.880 --> 00:59:56.960
<v Speaker 2>workmen began at once to tear down the scaffold and enclosure.

903
00:59:57.920 --> 01:00:00.400
<v Speaker 2>At five o'clock. There was nothing to indicate eight that

904
01:00:00.519 --> 01:00:05.559
<v Speaker 2>such an event had taken place. Sheriff Fiske was expeditious

905
01:00:05.599 --> 01:00:10.760
<v Speaker 2>throughout the entire undertaking, carrying out the details promptly and accurately,

906
01:00:11.360 --> 01:00:13.360
<v Speaker 2>with no mistakes being.

907
01:00:13.039 --> 01:00:25.840
<v Speaker 4>Made epilogue, Idaho. Jane Baker Lyons was never tried for

908
01:00:25.880 --> 01:00:29.280
<v Speaker 4>her part in the murder of Sheriff Withers.

909
01:00:29.760 --> 01:00:34.119
<v Speaker 5>She was left a widow with two sons, William Ellis Lyons,

910
01:00:34.239 --> 01:00:40.320
<v Speaker 5>age fourteen and Claude Cecil Lions, aged seven. Ida, as

911
01:00:40.360 --> 01:00:44.559
<v Speaker 5>she was known, remarried a man named Benjamin Edward Robertson

912
01:00:44.559 --> 01:00:46.760
<v Speaker 5>in nineteen oh eight, five.

913
01:00:46.559 --> 01:00:50.440
<v Speaker 4>Years after her husband's execution, and died of a heart

914
01:00:50.440 --> 01:00:55.480
<v Speaker 4>attack in Portland, Oregon, nineteen thirty eight at the age

915
01:00:55.559 --> 01:01:14.599
<v Speaker 4>of seventy three.

916
01:01:14.880 --> 01:01:19.599
<v Speaker 2>That was the largest sheriff in Oregon. The Terror of

917
01:01:19.679 --> 01:01:24.360
<v Speaker 2>All Tufts Killed by horse thief called from the historic

918
01:01:24.480 --> 01:01:28.800
<v Speaker 2>pages of the Oregon Daily Journal, the Eugene Morning Register,

919
01:01:29.360 --> 01:01:34.079
<v Speaker 2>the Eugene Guard, and other newspapers of the era. True

920
01:01:34.119 --> 01:01:38.880
<v Speaker 2>Crime Historian is a creation of popular media. Opening theme

921
01:01:38.960 --> 01:01:43.199
<v Speaker 2>by Nico Vitessi. Incidental music by Nico Vitesi, Chuck Wiggins,

922
01:01:43.280 --> 01:01:46.960
<v Speaker 2>and Dave SAMs. Some music and sound effects license from

923
01:01:47.000 --> 01:01:51.159
<v Speaker 2>podcast music dot Com. Closing theme by Dave SAMs and

924
01:01:51.280 --> 01:01:54.960
<v Speaker 2>Rachel Shatt. Engineered by David Hish at Third Street Music

925
01:01:55.239 --> 01:01:59.679
<v Speaker 2>Media Management and original graphics for each episode by Sean R.

926
01:01:59.719 --> 01:02:03.559
<v Speaker 2>Miller Jones and don't forget about Me. I'm true crime

927
01:02:03.719 --> 01:02:07.599
<v Speaker 2>historian Richard O. Jones, signing off for now.